I posted a video that has caused some tension in the tennis world--at least here in Salisbury.
The video was a little joke that I did and really it only made it to youtube.com because I thought Julia was adorable in it.
Here's the video:
As you can see, when you read the comments, the ladies are less than happy about the video. I still think the video is funny, so it stays. Julia loves it and to me, that's all that matters.
So I am currently shooting an "apology" to the tennis world-- get ready for some high anxiety because these pictures are going to have you worried for my safety as well as sitting on the edge of your seat wondering when the film will be released (which really is as soon as I convert and edit the video).
Get ready for some high impact, duce-duce type, tennis, faulted, out, 40-love, film.
Also-- I don't think I can ever eat pizza there again--especially at lunch/tennis time. Lol.
Édgar Hernández is in the NYtimes today because he is reportedly the first case of Swine Flu in Mexico. He's doing fine now, but the strain of influenza is making big news and big worries. I looked up the disease and the Center for Disease Control says that this strain is contageous from human to human and there isn't much of the vaccine (currently) to go around.
I'm not a big fan of sickness and try to avoid it at all costs. This Swine Flu really scares me. It scares me in the same way that it probably scares a lot of people--through the news, the threat of getting it, the threat of not having a vaccine--yes that all traditionally scares me. Let's talk about the name. Gross. I don't want to be lumped in with the pigs. I don't want to have some crazy disease that is like something out of the movie Outbreak. F-that. (Hey Erin: "Katie NO!")
I would like them to really rush to find out how to control this or help the poor people it is effecting. Édgar shouldn't have to see his face in the news for getting something he didn't mean to get. That's not fair to him. Granted, we have the right to write whatever, but still--I feel for the little guy.
Another thing that is scary--the reports of pork in Mexico and the States being rejected by foreign importers. I hope that doesn't become the start of this recession's "dust bowl." Sure, it's not dust, but the Times is reporting it as a threat.
I'm definitely going to keep popping vitamins, working out, and an eye on the news.
This past weekend I watched quite a few Natasha Richardson films. She was amazing and her death was sad and probably preventable.
I watched her Charlie Rose interviews-- and she seemed to have a sense of accomplishment but also a sense of mortality. She said to live each day to the fullest and I believe this to be true, so I hope she was living that way.
Her films were wonderful. You should netflix them if you haven't or go to amazon and buy one or two. I think, so far, my favorite is Widow's Peak she and Mia Farrow are marvelous in this film.
I think what I find saddest about her death, is her work ethic and ambitions must now be carried on by others. She was a real force in the fight against AIDS. Her father died from the disease, and she was one of the biggest propenents for amFAR to help raise money to find a cure for the illness.
She was also a Tony award winning stage actress. I think when someone dies and can no longer be seen on the live stage, is one of the saddest things in the world. I think most theatre goers and enthusiasts might agree with me here. There is no replacing an actor or actress who fills the room when they walk on stage. The stage and theatre are so intimate, emtional, jaw droppingly brilliant and irriplacable-- it's hard to think one could never have the opportunity to see a grand performance ever again.
In tribute to Natasha Richardson--I'd like to post this video of her work in the theater.
I hope her spirit carries on and wherever she is she knows how appreciated her work was (and in film/television, is).
An old friend from high school sent me this video via twitter @audra. I think it might be the best thing ever. I really want a snuggie and a shamwow-- a combo?! Yes I will pay $19.95 a month for this.
I mean this past week's 30 Rock really sealed the deal on the whole "wanting a snuggie thing."
Liz Lemon got to eat cheese on the couch wrapped in the warm goodness of her snuggie, why can't I have that dream realized?
"Okay Hon, let's gO deown teown, see dem O's, grab some Natty BO's, gO Over ta Pick-uls, ya knOw, balmer styl, Hon. "
"What is she saying?" one might ask. Well I'm speaking "Baltimorese." Oh, it's a language. Full of the exaggerated "o," slurred consonants, and always ending in "Hon." If you're going to go downtown in Baltimore, be ready to hear it.
Adi and I went to Baltimore on Saturday in the Fiesta--along with Julie.
Let me explain who Julie is.
Julie is my voice activation system in the Fiesta. I refuse to name the Fiesta (most likely it's name is "The Fiesta" because it's inanimate and I am NOT changing my mind about it being dumb to name a car. --if you name your car, you're not dumb. It's just an opinion for my life.) but I was fine with naming the voice in the car. Her namesake is Dame Julie Andrews, for whom I have a fondness due to her extrordinary work in Mary Poppins,My Fair Lady (London Production then Broadway), and, of course, The Sound of Music. The voice is British, soothing and stubborn. I have to alter my accent in order to get things done--always fun!
"Do-Re-Me-Fiesta!"
So we all made our way from Salisbury to Baltimore.
I had told my family memebers in Easton and along the way to Bmore about the Fiesta, so of course, they all wanted to see it. Adi said she was game for whatever, so we ended up visiting my Aunt Cristy and Uncle James and their kids, Aunt Ame and Uncle Matt and Henry, Grandma, Adi's Dad, Aunt Evie and Uncle Chris and their kids, then on the way back, Jodi and Ethan. Overwhelming; possibly, but we wanted this trip to be exciting.
In Baltimore, we went to Towson, which is north of the city. My Aunt Evie, Uncle Chris and their daughters (Holly, Annie and Julie) all live in a really pleasant neighborhood, full of people who wanted to see the Fiesta. We stayed there for a while, sitting outside in the fantastic weather.
Had some food, chatted it up, jumped on the trampoline and then had to be on our merry way.
Big congrats to my Aunt Evie who is starting up her own tutoring business. She already has a bunch of clients and it sounds like this is a dream come true. For that... I post a dreamy pic of the Fiesta.
We went to the Royal Farms on the corner of Joppa and...I'm not revealing, and Adi had cupons galore! So I scored a free 32 oz drink! Perfect for the rest of the ride!
We made our way down 83 and headed downtown. Smooth driving until we hit massive traffic in the city.
We hadn't realized that there was a home Oriole's baseball game starting at the same time we were navigating the Inner Harbor (on land of course). There was also some sort of festival going on in the Inner Harbor, so we drove around, got honked at by angry dudes in Mercedes and rocked out to some Lady Gaga
I have writer's block and I am trying to get through it. I want to tell you guys all about my Baltimore trip--but I'm having trouble articulating what happened--anyway--as I figure this out. I want to share two videos with everyone. They're KICK ASS songs as well as KICK ASS videos!
I love this Skeleton Boy song and video!!
Devo's new song!
These songs are motivating me to relax and let my creativity flow instead of forcing something that won't happen under pressure to happen. I will write about Baltimore--I will...I just need to find how.
I thought it was the actual video for "Boogie on Reggae Woman," which I found slightly disturbing because the opening is very visual, and he is not. Sorry--it's true.
I continued to watch and realized that it was highlighting all of the feminists and female power movements that were taking place around 1975. This is a pretty kick ass themed video!
It shows the mentality of that time. Women depicted as strong, free and sexy--why not?! Granted, I don't want to see a naked woman playing chess from 1975--I can't get over the fact that she's probably still playing chess naked and is most likely in her 70s. Gross.
But for those of you who don't have such a heightened sense of what is now or can block that out--enjoy.
I have been quite busy for the past 3 or 4 days, I'm not sure which because they are seriously blurring--signs of having fun-- YES.
This weekend was CRAZY! I went to NYC to join the beginning of the Fiesta Movement, met my fellow "Agents" as well as some of "Mission Control"; we all had a BLAST!
Here's a sneak peak of some of the digs--
Cute face at the end right? Jealous? Keep reading-- (lol)
After an evening of meet-n-greeting, dinner, and presentations, we headed out to this dive bar and celebrated our accomplishments as well as generally--the night.
I am currently working on uploading photos, editing video and trying to catch up with all of the events. If you'd like to see my pictures and comments thus far, visit my flickr page, my Fiesta Movement fanpage on Facebook (if you're not my friend--invite me! I love new friends in my network!), follow me on twitter or check out the official Fiesta Movement page to see my updates as well as all of the other "Agents'."
If you have any ideas of cool adventures on which to take the Fiesta--LET ME KNOW!! I can only take it in the United States and I will have set missions starting in May, BUT, I would love to have content to share and I need Momentumn and feedback!! Let me know what YOU think!
Working on a fiesta video, pic uploads, taking new pics of the Fiesta tomorrow as well as hitting up the old stomping grounds of SSPP Elementary school-- any of my "teacher readers" here's a shout out to you! I'll be stopping by in the morning with the car so be sure not to take a personal day!
The Fiesta Weekend has begun! I hit the road this morning.
Sadie, pictured above, came along for the ride...along with my Mom and Dad. We left the house to get me to the Amtrak station in Wilmington. They were going to Erin's (my sister's) lacrosse game in Baltimore today, so Sadie was along for a big adventure.
Dad drove, Mom "rested" and I was hanging with Sadie, singing some tunes.
Due to the lacrosse game, my parents left me in the caring hands of my Godmother--Aunt Adi. She dropped me off at the train station at the appropriate time. :) Little cousin Sara came too!
I rode on train 88 and met some really cool people! One guy, Lenny, is a make-up artist and he has worked all around the world with all types of people. He has also met Isabella Rossellini and Martha Stewart!
I'll be posting updates of the Fiesta Weekend as they happen! It will make things a little more exciting, keep you up to date as well as help me to reduce the sizes of entries! haha
I am taking a break from packing for my Fiesta Weekend in NYC to talk about Mike Nichols'The Graduate. This is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE films. I am obsessed with the genius that is Anne Bancroft--everything she did. She was also married to Mel Brooks, which makes her even COOLER!
This movie makes a visual presentation that embodies empathy for anyone who is taking a year off or having a lull in their life. The May-December romance is an added dramatic element, but there is so much more to this movie.
My friend Brian and I were just talking, briefly about this movie (that is currently on TCM and sparking this entry). We were actually talking about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and about Robert Redford (<3). Robert Redford was the studio pick for the aimless character of Benjamin Braddock. The book that the film is based on calls for a "surfboard" type, a true California beach boy. Obviously Dustin Hoffman is anything but-- and that was the juxtaposition that Mike Nichols was looking for.
"Robert Redford screen-tested with Candice Bergen for the part of Benjamin Braddock but was finally rejected by director Mike Nichols because Nichols did not believe Redford could persuasively project the underdog qualities necessary to the role. When he told this to Redford, the actor asked Nichols what he meant. "Well, let's put it this way," said Nichols, "Have you ever struck out with a girl?" "What do you mean?" asked Redford. "That's precisely my point," said Nichols." (imdb.com) I had heard about this from the behind the scenes interview on a DVD but it was nice to chat about it with a future Trojan (Shoutout to Brain Bibbo! Lol!)
I think this movie's mastery is achieved due to the collaboration and combination of various creative pieces that made a glorious whole (haha, glorious whole...say it out loud). Anne Bancroft was a talented theatre and film actress who really blossomed in the 1960s. She had a couple "B-movies" in the 1950s, but made it big in the 1962 film The Miracle Worker. She had played the part of Annie O'Sullivan on Broadway, co-starring with Patty Duke, who played Helen Keller.
They made the jump from a successful run in the theatre to a successful, award winning film. She was a devoted actress who took every moment and filled it with talent. Anne continued to work in film, theatre and television until her death in 2005 from cancer.
Dustin Hoffman was actually only 6 years younger than Anne Bancroft in real life--but in the film, you'd never know. They both played opposite ends of life with incredibly believability. Hoffman wasn't the first pick for this film, but his wits and talent provided him to be the best pick. He improvised certain scenes like when he has to grab Mrs. Robinson's breast-- he was about to laugh, due to the crew's laughter, and instead turned it into frustration and banged his head against the wall. He also invented a slight wimper-cough that he picked up from Mike Nichols. This turned what could looked like a 31 year old playing an 20 year old into a unconfident character, believably 20 year old, goalless, boy-man.
Mike Nichols is a genius. There are so many shots, looks, choices, etc. in this film that add up to a visual gem. I'm going to bulletpoint a couple examples that will hopefully entice you to watch the film for the 1st or millionth time.
The sunporch scene--the famous one with the leg shot.
The transitions from black to black when he's going through his routine of sleeping with Mrs. Robinson and his blasé lifestyle.
The scene when Benjamin tells Elane about the affair--then the hallway shot of Anne soaking wet.
The sunporch when she says "I'm extremely upset Benjamin"
The list goes on-- I mean pay attention to what they wear. Mrs. Robinson wears animal print and black.
Benjamin is a prep from the East. The rest all look like "plastic" country club folks.
Watch this movie. It's wonderful. If you feel like you have no direction, if you're taking time off from work, school or something, it is a perfect film to find empathy or sympathy; whatever you need. I have used it to help me get through and I have studied it over and over. I will continue to do so and once again I urge you to see, listen and feel The Graduate.
Last night Jeff and I found that hulu.com had a time limit on the Today show 4th Hour segment with Isabella Rossellini about Green Porno. Well guess what Hulu.com, you think you're crafty? Think you've found a way to deprive those of us who care? Nope. Thanks to MSNBC.com and their 24 hours of "news," I have obtained a new embeded link for this interview. Isabella, Kathy Lee and Hoda--gettin' their crazy on. Enjoy!
Today was a beautiful day filled with Sunshine and cool pictures. Julia stole my RayBans--cool dude.
Okay-- so it turns out that my camera has a delay of like 2 seconds and because of that, I was taking a picture of Julia running in her self-picked outfit, but ended up taking a picture of a child falling. Sorry J-dawg. I ran over to her right away--she was and is fine. I'm not that bad. Lol. The funny "self-picked" outfit. Julia got dressed today simply because she could wear her apron "all day" Same delay--better effect. Adi and Byron's candle leaked out the side because the other candle melted it. I think it looks like it's spewing. I like this picture.
Today has been a great day. Julia and I were outside most of the day, I went for a run, I did laundry (which I hate, but love to get done), and now I'm watching 30 Rock.
The Fiesta Movement begins Sunday! I'll be taking pictures and blogging! Stay tuned...it's almost here!!
Dad-- Have you seen this Pink video? I think it's HILARIOUS and disturbing. It is all of the horror movies combined into one circus freak music video. Awesome. I think Misery, The Shining, Death Becomes Her, Fatal Attraction and Child's Play were all covered.
After a month of traveling, hanging out, moving boxes and straight chillin' in Easton, I have returned to helping out with Julia "J-dawg" and Katharine Carlander. They both have grown immensly and I am so happy to see them again! We had a fun day of outings and innings. We did pretending and "real-ing" as Julia put it. She is talking very well now as is Katharine--baby talk that is!
They have been off in Santa Barbara for a month with their Mommy, getting tan and playing at the park. Now, they are back in Salisbury where the sun never shines and there's enough rain to wash away all the happiness you could ever get--just kidding--but really. Lol
I just got 2 new pairs of glasses. I also got contacts--so don't think I can't switch gears here. They are large and in charge, super nerdy and I LOVE THEM.
"Lemon-I held Walt Dinsney's Frozen Head in My Hands" "That is---AWESOME" -30 rock nailed it. This quote sent me "lizzing."
Thanks to Hulu.com I have been able to catch up on any 30 Rock, The Office or SNL that I have missed. Due to a travel schedule that just won't stop (insert sarcastic tone), I haven't watched SNL for about 3 weeks... I'm slipping, I know. But I have been catching up. Apparently Walt Disney jokes are the new thing. Here are some examples:
And
Enjoy these clips and enjoy making fun of Walt Disney-- What a psycho-genius, what a world. A Disney World.
My Best friend Sarah "Baby G" Gottlieb, who needs to visit MD, reminded me how much I love her humor when she said early one morning, on facebook "like a boss." Now whether she was referring to Slim Thug or SNL, I counldn't tell. After further research, aka commenting, I found that she was talking about Andy Samberg's latest "SNL Digital Short" with Seth Rogen. Check out this video-- it's pretty funny, like a boss.
So-- I just received info about the Fiesta Movement weekend next week--in NYC!!! I love NYC!! I have 2 packed days of training and driving... I can't wait!
Stay tuned like an AM radio-- only on THIS station! :)
PS The serious one is my sister, Erin. She's not really that serious, she's " fron' in'. "
So Skylar Deleon, a.k.a. Roger from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers television series has been sentenced to death by the state of California and the Orange County Superior Court.
I cannot believe that he has taken his skills as a Power Ranger and used them for evil. I mean, come on man! You should never mix your self defense skills, super powers, and gymnastic fantastics with meth. BAD CHOICE.
I actually don't know if he was doing meth, but I would imagine that he caught a case of the crazies from something.
Deleon committed the murders of 2 yachting enthusiasts in 2006, just outside of Newport Beach, CA and a killing of a man in the desert in 2004. His "then-wife" helped him kill the people and received life in prison.
I grew up watching the Power Rangers and I freaking loved pretending to beat up bad guys, defeating large imaginative animatronic beasts and yelling "high-ya!" in an American accent. I think that "Alpha 5" would probably be disgusted by "Roger's" actions and would have probably have ordered the death penalty as well. Sis for shame.
After the vehicles are delivered, the Fiesta Movement agents will receive notification about their upcoming missions, which will be based on monthly themes. With six themes in all, the first theme agents will create content on is travel. Each of the 100 agents will choose an individual mission, which will send them on an adventure to engage with people in their Ford Fiesta.
Partnering with Ford on its campaign is Undercurrent, a digital think tank headquartered in New York City, and AMG, a Colorado-based partner of Undercurrrent. Both companies are schooled in creating long-term relationships between customers and brands and focused on creating experiences that are not only relevant and useful, but entertaining.
"We're engaging outside sources that live in this space to make sure we are pushing the limit as far as we can," said Fontaine. "By working with them, we will maximize the exposure of our content online, while at the same time receiving valuable feedback from the agents about our new car."
Isabella Rossellini made a stop on the Today Show. It was the later in the morning time with Kathy Lee Gifford and the other chick. I don't watch the Today show, but I do tune into Hulu... Here's the video from the morning...expect nothing but crazy...and since KLG was there...most likely little gets accomplished. (Mom--I know you could care less about Isabella and Ingrid, but PLEASE watch this clip because of Kathy Lee Gifford--Regis got rid of her just in time for her to snap!)
Post note: Okay--to be honest, I hadn't watched the clip completely when I wrote this. I know, poor form. BUT Can I just say, that this clip TRUMPS Isabella's crazy style probably 100xs over. Kathy Lee Gifford is insane! She's like touchy, dirty and loud crazy. I'm not sure I like that style of crazy because it's too "in your face."
Though watching her is entertaining, I just felt very uncomfortable watching that clip, but I couldn't turn my head away. Apparently she's doing her job, but maybe she should lay off whatever booze she drinks in the morning and stop touching, groping and sexually harassing her co-host and guests. Luckily, I'm pretty sure Isabella can take her. Lol.
This profile links you to all of my pages as well as keeping you connected with my fellow 99 agents! I got word from "Mission Control," a.k.a. Andrew Rinke, today that I will be taking the train from Wilmington, DE to NYC on Sunday the 19th and driving back Monday the 20th in my NEW SILVER FORD FIESTA!! I can't wait! I'll take pictures the whole time and keep you guys updated! I can't wait!! :)
Okay- I'm going to write about my experience in L.A. I am going to tell a lot of it with pictures because I want you to feel like you got to go too. Also--I've been telling my story to every member of my family for the past 3 days, so I'm a little spent. I will probably either do this in pieces or I'll elaborate later...who knows...? Here we go! I was awake this past Friday from 3:30am EST to 12:30am PCT...aka 3:30am EST. A 24 hour day, and one of the best days of my life. I left the Eastern Shore on time, but my arrival caused me to almost be late. My shuttle had to make a stop in South Central L.A., which made the other lady in the van nervous, I talked her down. We were okay. We rolled up to the Vagabond Inn (name fits) at 12:00pm, it was exactly when the meet and greet at the Zemeckis Building was starting. Luckily, for me, the inn was 2 feet away from the building, so I was only 5 minutes late!
I met up with Nicole and Brian at the Luncheon. They are two fellow future Trojans who I have talked to before the weekend.
(Brian and Nicole)
We had a great lunch, watched a film about the school, listened to the Dean, who told us that "USC SCA is harder to get into than Harvard Law." A great way to make us smile!) and then broke off into specific groups, based on studies. We listened to our future teachers talk, then took a tour around the School of Cinematic Arts.
(The new SCA building...thanks George Lucas' $175 Million!)
Tour!
Afternoon meet and greet where there was free booze (I had one corona...didn't want to embarrass myself!) and free fun! Met some teachers and a TON of cool people!
Nicole said that this weekend was "fan-fucking-tastic." That's on the record.
This is the "Frank Sinatra Theatre" where we saw a screening of Forrest Gump and then listened to a Q&A with Robert Zemeckis, Eric Roth, Gary Sinise and Tom Hanks. Check it out!
The next day, I toured the campus with Brian and Tyler. We took pictures of everything, including under "Tommy the Trojan's" skirt. Sexy.
Tried taking a random pic, Tyler apparently is photogenic and smiled.
After the self guided tour and lunch, I headed to Santa Monica to see my cousin Jess. While she was at work, at Houston's, I went down to the beach, near but not on the pier. It was a gorgeous day and I soaked it all in!
I ate lunch with Jess and then walked the Promanade. I looked at everything I could see and then went to see Sunshine Cleaning, which was AMAZING!!
Jess lent me her car for a bit, so I went back to her apartment and played with Moos and Ace, Jess and Matt's cats. "Moos" means "cat" in Gambia, so it's not spelled wrong, lol.
After work, Jess and I headed to Beverly Hills to pick up some frozen dinners. Nothing like a little Passover Pizza to brighten up a little girl's night!
Sunday, Jess and I made our way down to Orange County to see my Aunt Mary and Uncle Bob. My Aunt Mary was in the hospital recovering from surgery, but this is her view, so I think she'll be fine as long as she occasionally looks outside!
After Jess left for work, I headed out to drive to Hollywood. I wanted to do the whole "tourist" thing. I took pics on the way there, whenever I was stopped, which since it was L.A., was quite often. LOOK AT THE BILLBOARD! I'm a nerd.
I went to Hollywood Blvd. and saw Grauman's Theatre...
...stood in Cary Grant's footsteps...
...and of course, paid homage to Ingrid.
My last night in L.A. I went up to Jess' roof deck and wrote for a long while. This video clip is of the view from the roof. It was a great way to end one of the best times of my life. I can't wait to rejoin my friends, make some films and go to USC SCA!
