Baby in the Stocks

See... the title does lie. Baby in the stocks. Actually, I should rephrase because Julia is a "big girl."
I FOUND MY CAMERA CHARGER!!! So I've been taking pictures!
I'm not actually punishing her for anything, she's in her play house being a goofball as usual. We were playing and the picture just looks like a "town square" situation.

I thought this picture, though kinda gross, is somewhat hilarious.

Dance Party! Julia is really into dancing lately. LOVE IT. I love dancing and singing and although Julia tells us all not to sing, I just do it anyway. She's 2 and right now, I'm bigger.

I'm helping out with the SU lacrosse team. They had to run a timed 1.5 mile on Sunday and Coach decided to help them warm up. I decided that this was a good opportunity to exploit all of them.
Enjoy.

Essay Revisions

I am attempting to do my essay/screenplay revisions for my application to Chapman University.
As of now, I am procrastinating like the best of 'em.
I sit here in front of my computer and get intimidated by the sheer nature of my writing. My thoughts are scattered and unorganized. At times the mounds of crap that I have tried to call "essays" seem so large and unmanageable that I may never complete this.

I will complete this.
I will get through this.
It may take me sitting in a room where I cannot access the internet.
It may take me turning off the Swedish film I'm watching and actually sitting in silence late at night.
I feel like I work better with a film on. It's inspirational, but I bet it takes away from the quality of my work... as well as the quantity (sometimes).
I hate to be negative about this. In the long run, all of this work is beneficial. Whether or not I get into graduate school I will have punched out some major portfolios and written a lot of different pieces.
Hopefully I will get some envelopes asking for interviews... let's all keep our fingers crossed. If I don't, I will just figure out the next step on whatever path I have to take.

That's enough venting for now. I'm going to go back to editing. Wish me luck!

Car Seat Dance

Another video of Julia...
We have a lot of time on our hands. Lol.

I told her to dance with her arms in the car, like everyone should, she thought the legs should dance too. Hard to do when you're strapped into a harness.

Svensk Filmindustri

There is an article in today's New York Times about the struggle between a theatre in Aspen Colorado, The Isis Theatre, and Svensk Filmindustri in Sweden.
Here is where you can find and read the article, for further reference.

Seeking Bergman Film Rights? Try Aspen

The article discusses the 8 year legal battle between the two and whether or not anything is actually being solved.

I am personally extremely interested to see where the battle goes due to my love of Swedish film, Ingrid Bergman and Ingmar Bergman.

The film rights to Ingmar Bergman's (who died in 2007) movies are up in the air.

Due to Svensk Filmindustri's weak financial support and other problems, I feel like they should sell to someone who is either respectful of the native film practices or someone who will benefit them by distributing worldwide.
The internet has made a market place for movies that have a specific audience with highly defined needs. Some people are satisfied with the Dvd's and movie sales that consign their pop culture needs. There are those of us who are looking for a film like Dollar, the 1938 Swedish film starring Ingrid Bergman and directed by Gustof Moleander and have yet to have needs (aka wants) met.

I would love for foreign, classic films to be at my finger tips.
It would prevent me from watching Italian films that are shot in English, dubbed in Italian, subtitled in Spanish and bootlegged in China.

For now, steep.

My Name

I thumbed through the baby name books laying on Sarah and Jay's coffee table... I would like to say I don't look through baby name books regularly...opportunity knocked.
My name is
Alexis Monica... I found out some nifty things about it.

Alexis is a derivative of Alexander, it was traditionally a Russian boy's name, but has morphed into the ever-so-popular American baby name. #6 in the nation now. When I was growing up, it was a reference to the 1980's television show, Dynasty, or just weird.
The baby books said that it means "defender of human kind." I like that.
I looked up Monica, which comes from St. Monica. She was the mother of St. Augustine (you might know him for his super sinning then 180 to being super not sinning). I knew that it meant "advisor" in Latin, I think I learned that in school or on a prayer card or something? But apparently the Greek translation or meaning is "solitary." I find this name suiting.
The thing that pissed me off about one of the baby name books is that it said that Monica is a "no-no" because of Monica Lewinsky. WTF! That shouldn't wreck the whole name!
The baby book is wrong. People should be named Monica more often. They should think of Friends, or the saint or my great-grandmother... none of them were hookers.

No more looking through baby name books. Sorry for invading your privacy Sarah and Jay, it won't happen again. Lol.

Here's Looking at You Kid

I just read an article that rates the kiss in Casablanca the best kiss in cinema. Though I love this kiss scene, I disagree. First of all, I want to tell the author (as if he or she would be reading this) that we don't have to write the clichés, but yes they are fun, hence my entry's title. Though if you're going to use it, don't abuse it. Just write a quote or something catchy.

The article's statement: "Apparently that kiss is one that Sam can definitely play again." Is stretching it.

I disagree with the rating because I think the kissing scene in Notorious kicks this one's ass (if kissing scenes had asses).



The scene in Notorious was supposed to be a 3 second kiss, as ruled by the Production codes of the time. The scene ended up lasting for 3 minutes, finding every loop hole necessary for Hitchcock to get what he wanted. Hitchcock worked his way around this by having Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant hold a phone in between them. The two kissed, then remained extremely close, touching and nibbling on each other's ears, noses and nuzzling cheeks.
Breaking the rules, holding the kiss and the perfect look on celluloid totally beats the Casablanca kiss.
Granted, Casablanca is a wonderful movie. I have 2 copies (one of which is this huge 60th anniversary set with place holders) so anyone can challenge my fanaticism.
(Collector's set)
The film deserves the notoriety and fame that it brought to its stars, director, producers, crew, etc.
It just isn't my favorite and I think the rating was wrong.
:)

Tricking Kids is Fun

I took this video today at lunch. Julia thought I was taking a picture. I think that it's funny.
Rain + Salisbury +Julia and Alexis = STUCK INSIDE

Family Tree

My cousin Ellen, or I should say, my Dad's cousin Ellen, keeps up our family tree. She's really into genealogy and has extensive records of my entire family. I enjoy history and genealogy as well, so I like to help and stay involved.
Today I ventured to the site where she maintains our records online, www.geni.com.
The site is cool because you can interact with your living family members and see who's gone before you.
On my Paternal Grandfather's family tree. my Scottish and English ancestors can be traced back to the 1600s.

The best part of looking at my family tree is that there are pleasant discoveries awaiting my blue eyes.

For instance: I found that our lineage on the MacEwan side of my family can be traced so far back that the Scottish clan name is spelled "Mckuan" (this is how my 6th great-grandfather Robert McKuan spelled his name in the 1700s).
I also found that some of my aunts and a grandmother or two had the name Euphemia. I like this name. I know a lot of people probably don't because it's very old fashioned and quite Scottish, but I don't care. It means happiness and I think that it is beautiful.
Here is a picture of one of the Euphemia's. I think she is my Great-great-grandmother... Dad correct me if you know! (or Ellen if you read this!)

Euphemia in a beautiful profile.

Euphemia ready to rock the clogs.
The best find was pictures of my Pa.
Pa was my Dad's father who died when I was 13. He was like a second Dad to me. We lived with my Grandma and Pa for a while and spent a lot of time with him. When he died, it was extremely rough on me. It shook my whole world and I lost a lot of faith. I know that he is by my side and he visits me in dreams sometimes; all of which I am grateful for and welcome wholeheartedly (if you dismiss me as crazy; maybe I am and maybe I am. Lol.)
Pa was rarely in front of the camera, though he was very handsome and photogenic. He liked being the eyes of the party or gathering not the limelight. I like to think he is one of my inspirations for photography as well as cinematography.
Here is an adorable picture of my Pa's family when he was just a little Mac (His nickname. His real name is Ian MacEwan Morrell)

(Top Left: Grandpa Eric, Janet Mona. Bottom Left: Sheila, Mac and Bobbi)

This is when my Pa was wooing ladies like Eleanor "little Nellie from the farm" Monica Hicks (aka Grandma).

My Grandma recently revealed, at a family dinner, that she and my Pa's relationship began and flowered from pen pal correspondence. She wrote to him when he was in the Air Force or something and they totally have the love letter thing going on. I think it is so romantic and it fits right into my Classic Film way of thinking. They lived the stuff that I watch on the daily.
Love it.
Love them. :)

Do you like the new header?

Let me know how you feel about my new header. My Dad made it for me ...I apparently rely on his and Adi's artistic talents (and the fact that they both have photoshop) for my "look."

MY PAGE IS UP!!!

My newest internet creation is up and running... please visit my website!


www.alexismorrell.webs.com

:)

The Next Must See Movie for Adi and Me!

IMDb Video: Two Lovers: Trailer

Things You Should Be Jealous Of...Me.

Undoubtedly Salisbury is the hippest and most happening place on earth during January.
I mean, where else can you sit inside all day because it is raining and bitterly cold? Where can you stay in every night because no one is around to bother with a social life? Where else can you find such a sweet landscape full of browns and browns? You're probably jealous at this point so I'll stop.

My nights in Salisbury have lately been spent staying with Julia, Sarah and Jay for dinner and playdough (of course we only pretend to eat the playdough). I'm not much of a social butterfly, if the occasion draws me, or I feel like it, I can be, but for the most part I like watching movies and reading over clubs or bars. This all makes my sarcasm less potent, but I'll take the risk.
I have gained a lot of characters as well as a lot of memories hanging out in the Case/Carlander home. These nights of being held captive for dinner...which is AWESOME... have been nothing but entertaining (and Sarah would probably be pissed if she knew that I broke my streak of healthy homecooked meals tonight with a heafty helping of Taco Bell: THEY BROUGHT BACK THE CHEESEY GORDITA CRUNCH!).
Last night, I stayed after babysitting to read in the "yellow room." Sarah and Jay have allowed me to stake a claim in the "yellow room" after I finish watching Julia to have some quiet, alone time to read, write, listen to my ipod, chill or whatever. It's nice because although I love my roommates, this space is just for me and I don't feel obligated to anyone.
Generally this time works for me to get tons done, but last night was different because Julia is on West Coast time.
They spent the holiday in Santa Barbara with family, which has, so far, made for an interesting schdeule for all involved. Julia was running around and she realized that "Yeh-eesh" (as I am so lovingly referred) was sitting in the corner of the couch trying to write some potentially GENIUS work in a journal. Well, Julia would have none of that. "Yeh-eesh! Come in playroom and play green playdough!" There is little to stand between young Caesar and what she desires, especially since she is probably the cutest little gal on earth, so of course I budged.
I warned Sarah that I wasn't trying to stay after to have dinner. I didn't want things to come off that way, because I truly just wanted to get some writing done in peace.
Sarah does what Sarah wants. When it was dinnertime, all were summoned to the table and we ate a delectable meal of chicken, potatoes and cauliflower! I was delighted, but also slightly embarrassed. I'm 12 apparently.

After dinner, there was no reading. Julia was in hypermode and was loving having everyone around to pay attention to her. She decided that since I was trying to be in the "yellow room" in peace and quiet, that she would bring the whole family in and that's where we would all play.
The one catch-- her favorite "yellow room" activity is "hide with Julia in a plastic closet." Bonus material-- Sarah and I didn't have to play the game, as we normally would, since Jay was around! Yey!
All 6'5" of Jay Carlander was decidingly pushed into the small plastic closet. Julia told him how to stand and we just sat back and watched.
I took pictures with my cell phone and told Sarah that "this is blog material." I am simply, now, living up to my words.

(Julia putting Jay in the closet while Sarah watches and I take pictures)

(Julia wins.)

First Day Back

Julia behaved terrifically today! I couldn't believe how easily the day went. She was all smiles when I walked in the door. We went on adventures to my house and the grocery store. She got to pick out a bunch of food as well as a purple grocery basket (a big hit). She has changed SO much these past two weeks. Her vocabulary has quadrupled as well as her usage. She looks differently and acts differently, but is still Julia through and through.

She had a brand new pink hat and new pink tights which went well with her pink dress to make her the cutest hostess snowball in history!


These are my first days back in Salisbury, though my last days in Easton were anything but uneventful.
The last night I was home, I was hanging out with my sister into the wee hours of the night. We just chilled and watched SNL, played a little Wii... nothing special, except that we were able to have "sister time."
I went to bed at about 1:45. I flashed on the lights in my room and hopped on my bed to read. My dog, Sadie, was sleeping soundly on a pile of pillows (her "nest") until I entered the room. She stirred a bit when I walked in, but didn't move. I started reading my latest biography (and so far the best) about Ingrid Bergman and stopped about 20 minutes in because I smelled an awful aroma. The alliteration is only there to emphasize the point that the smell coming from beyond my bed was that of a public restroom.
My dog silently had pissed on two of my jackets, a t-shirt and a duffle bag then silently made a new "nest" out of the rest of my clothing!



I was livid! I mean this dog is lucky because of two things: A) I had just seen Marley and Me and refuse to be mad at an old dog for longer than 5 minutes; just in case. B) She's so freaking cute, since there is a sock on her head.

I have a vengeful dog! She was mad at me for turning on the lights and disturbing her slumber to read so she wanted pay back! She got it. Though the battle did not end there.
I could not get to sleep due to my head being on fire with anger, so I stay up and read for another hour and a half. So there Sadie. If you could read, you'd see that I'm slamming you on the internet. Jealous? Thought so.

New Friends from Old Days

Yesterday I met up with an old friend of mine from elementary, middle and high school. She and I have been friends since we were 7, but haven't seen each other to talk face to face in close to 5 years. The reunion was fantastic. We picked up where we had left off, as if no time had passed. We caught up and talked about future plans, not reminiscing too much, just enough to keep happy.
We spoke for 2.5 hours at a coffee house. We talked about plans for that night, when I devuldged that I had contemplating going to a reunion meet up at the pub later, but had decided to turn down the invitation. Melissa, my friend, had also decided not to go. We parted ways, and hopefully we will see each other soon. If not, here's hoping 2014 is a good year for coffee! Haha.

My parents took me out to eat last night. It was lovely, free and delicious. We went to the Washington Street Pub, a local favorite. It was also the location of the SSPP reunion that I had been invited to. With about 3/4 of the dinner behind us, I decided that I would go to the reunion later that night, and that I might find something fun, even if it wasn't with the same crowd I normally see at home.
On our way out, I spotted the reunion. Several of my former schoolmates were sitting at a table. At first I didn't recognize them, not to say that they were all old and fat, just different and possibly adults.
I did a double take and said hello to the table. They all exclaimed "Alexis!?" to which I was notably surprised (the note will come in a minute, stay with me!). I told the crowd that I was planning on coming back and if I could join them after I ditched my parents... so lightly she puts this.
I gave them my cell phone number, because they asked for it. I was trying to leave and go 2 miles (back and forth) with out leaving a number. I told them to stick a note in the wall with a knife if they left, but apparently this isn't 1940 and we do in fact have the technology to avoid destruction of property for notes.
As I walked out with my parents, I told them that the greatest surprise had just happened. I totally thought (through my cynical little pea brain) that this group of people would most likely NOT want my company. I also assumed (which we all know what they say about that) that this group of people probably thought that I was an asshole and a jerk, due to high school's ins and outs of melodrama. Pleasantly surprised by the contrary, I went back.
I caught up with a group of former high school mates, and now well rounded adults. These people had completely grown up, and where was I?
I apparently, to the naked eye, am also an adult!
Luckily, my personality proves otherwise. Yes, we had some serious moments at the bar. There were discussions of art, film, politics, religion, academia-- all of which was throughoughly entertaining as well as informative. We joked and talked about assholes from high school and how generally we were all mistreated at one time or another -- as well as mistreating.

I genuinely had a great time. The air was full of a different excitement that I don't normally see in Easton. There was a culture. An underlying exuberance of intellect, desire and insanity. I didn't expect to hang out with anyone beyond my normal crowd of 6, and they all found me in one day!

I was so happy to be treated as an equal and to be welcomed with such open arms, to what might look like a closed group.

I think that this experience is a grand one to be logged away and to keep in mind when I get negative about high school. It was probably only one person who really didn't like me in high school, ironically, she was my best friend for 2 years, then disappeared from any pleasant memory or new adventure. Apparently, her loss.
Thanks to the group last night.
I hope you guys follow through on my unashamed plug to read this blog. So here are some shout outs:
Ashe- good luck with David and your writing. I think you should put yourself into your writing. Who says there are rules?
Christina- I've always thought you were extremely talented. Continue your work in the community and with your stilts. I hope you get to Berkeley someday... I think you'll never return.
Sophia- I'm glad your iPod didn't break and that you found wi-fi last night! Thanks for being a DD around, protecting me from creepy old dudes and good luck with your schooling- sounds like you're on the right track!
Jackie- Marilyn has a great fan. You're knowledgeable about a lot of things- good luck with your spa, I think great things will come of it! Just don't wax too many friends!
Cass- Good luck with your photography! Get lighting down and you'll go far!
Alyssa- Grad school is tough- I admire your stamina and remember to take a break to have fun in Charlotte too!

(Please excuse all of the exclamation marks... I just get really excited)

Hedda Gabler

"Well, I shall have one ... thing at least to kill time with in the meanwhile."- Hedda Gabler referring to her pistols


I am TRULY excited! I just got back from NYC (on a family trip that I will get to), and I cannot wait to go back and see Heinrik Isben's Hedda Gabler
I am venturing to NYC with my Nana and my Grandma (Nana is in orange and Grandma is in white and blue).

Hedda Gabler is my favorite dramatic play. It is a strong feminine character and the play itself caused riots when it was first released. Great actresses have portrayed Hedda: Sarah Bernheart, Ingrid Bergman, Cate Blanchett and now Mary-Louise Parker!

I first discovered the play in acting class at Salisbury University.
My acting teacher selected parts for each of us and I was to learn one of the scenes between Hedda and Judge Brack. It was my moment of glory. I got to be a bitch. It was fantastic.
The whole play revolves around Hedda and her household. She is a woman who is caught in the 19th century female sphere, but does not desire anything it provides. She longs to be in control of herself, her world and people around her. At the time, this was considered immoral and completely wrong. When Isben's play opened in Italy, it caused riots and people rejected it. It now is famous and revered.
I love this play. My parents gave me the BBC version from 1962 starring Ingrid (of course!) and Michael Redgrave.

My former professor and now employer, Sarah, saw the version with Cate Blanchett. I remembered reading about this version in the NYtimes when I was researching how to play it for class. I was supremely jealous until one night this September. I was looking at tickets for Christopher Durange's production of The Marriage of Bette and Boo, a play in which I was the character, Emily Brennan, when we did a production in college. I scrolled around the site and then I saw that the Roundabout Theatre would be reviving the play with a dude from Fargo and MLP!
I ran into my sister's room at 2am and told her that I was going to go.

Well, my dreams are coming true. My Mom bought a ticket for me and 2 for my grandmothers. It should be an original way to branch generations. I cannot wait to hear what they have to say about the play! I gave my Grandma a copy of the play to read. She said last night that she has yet to read it. IF she doesn't finish it by that Friday, I will make her read it AND do a book report on the play. Maybe a plot chart, character chart, summary and text analysis... just like my class with Robert Smith... or more specifically-- Like when my GRANDMA made me SIT INSIDE on the LAST DAY OF SUMMER before 7th grade to do a book report on Anne of Green Gables. Payback Grandma. Payback.

I cannot wait to see this play live. I have been waiting for years and I feel like Mary-Louise Parker will do the part justice.

I will let you all know how it stands up!

My trip to NYC was amazing. My family and I went to Philadelphia first to play a little mini-beer pong and to watch the Eagles innailate the Cowboys. Though I'm a fan of neither team, I enjoy watching the Cowboys get spanked and my family happy.


Erin playing beer pong... I beat her though! (I took the pic)

Sanitary, no. Fun, yes.

In NYC we went to the MoMA, the Radio and Television Museum (where Erin caught up on some PBS Anne of Green Gables...hahaha) as well as shopping on Canal Street, eating in the Village and Shopping in SoHo. Erin and I went to Mama Mia and my parents went to see Jersey Boys all of which we enjoyed.
Erin and I also saw some stand up comedy, for free, at the Upright Citzens Brigade Theatre. LOVED IT!
Times Square was crazy due to it being just before the New Year's celebration. I met someone special in Times Square... we already had a relationship, but we needed to make it more official.


Elmo and Lex!


I had to take a picture of this, because they quoted Ingrid Bergman's daughter, Pia Lindstrom, who was a famous New York news reporter. I just found it funny that a play based on ABBA's music had Swedish-Americans quoted.



This is Giovanni. We met him on the train into the city. He told us that he had "chacolate" but what he was talking about was gum, he just didn't know the word for "chicle!"
He was a friendly little guy and was really excited about the train.

That is all for now. My trip was also exaughsting. haha.