I am getting ready for my move to Allston, not far from my current apartment but I am wishing there was a way to to teleport my stuff to my new place. As I have been packing I have been watching a lot of Gilmore Girls (one of my favorite shows). I don't think Lane gets enough attention as a character in the Fangirl world so here a great scene from her life. So I thought since I haven't blogging much lately I would post this video... Hope you will forgive me.
I am still reading Little Dorrit, but sorry Charles Dickens it is really taking me all the energy I have to get through your writing. Plus a month ago I put this book on hold and I was 92 on the list of 65 copies so I thought I would be done with Little Dorrit by the time my time came. I got the book last Thursday and finished it on Sunday, probably could have finished it faster if I didn't have to work those days. And to be honest I felt robbed because I thought the book was 331 pages and it was only 313, darn John Green for not writing 18 more pages.
I don't know if I can write about this book without giving away any spoilers and I think everyone should read this book. Yes it is is a Young Adult novel, but the story so so moving (carry tissues), and so beautiful that you can forget that it is young adult and just read it.
Basic plot- Hazel at 16 has a terminal cancer meaning she is living with it and medication and an air tank is keeping her alive. The action of the story quickly starts when she meet Augustus Waters at the cancer support group. He is hot (Hazel's words not mine) and she is surprised he likes her. But they do start a relationship and not to give too many spoilers... he uses his "Make A Wish" to take her to Amsterdam to meet an author they both like. The story goes on from there but like I said I don't want to give away a lot of spoilers.
Why I read- Because lately I have found a lot of quotes on Pinterest by John Green and they seem very motivational, so I was intrigued to read his writing. I first heard of this book when I one of the many fan pages for the Lizzie Bennet Diaries posted a video of Ashley Clements and Daniel Vincent Gordh reading from the book, seemed quite captivating. (Wasn't able to post video here but here is link to video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8kpmifRpgc). Then my friend, who is working on getting a master's in Library Science for Young Adult Services posted about how she cried on the T while reading the book. So with all this I thought this was a book worth checking out.
good example
What I liked- As most of you know I'd rather live in the past than in the present so I spend a lot of time watching Period Dramas or reading books set in the past, but I found this book just as absorbing as any of those books and I will be adding Hazel Grace to my list of heroines to admire. While my friends who had read the book said they cried and it is about teenagers with cancer, I found myself laughing out loud on the T. It wasn't that it was a funny topic but just the honesty of it and the way Hazel and Augustus talked was just funny. But at the end I loved the characters so much that when it ended I did cry mostly because I didn't want it to end.
What I didn't like- I will say though it was a young adult there was some language that I didn't like, but I didn't think it was over used and I thought sometimes probably very truthful. I don't like swearing, however if I was going through what these characters went through I would probably swear too.
Over all great book, I don't know if I would put it into life changing as it has been labeled, but I am super glad I read it. Seriously have tissues on you.
This has been a good summer so far of some new books to love and some re-reads I adore. I feel very weird now that most of my books are packed up in preparation for my move.
Today my lovely cousin gets married. I know she will be too busy today to look at this post, but I am so happy for her. She and I grew up together and so many of my childhood memories contain her. I am so sorry I can not be there for her on this very special day.
When I thought of this post I thought I wanted to show off pictures of us growing up. Usually these type of post have a song to go along with them. However, there are no real cousin songs... so C I am sharing with you one of
my songs from my dream wedding playlist, as I know you have found the right one and God will bless your marriage.
Yeah we look pretty classy all dressed up.
'90s fashion was hard on us all
but we survived the '90s to become great stylists
Her first and hopefully not her last trip to Boston
Why
I watched- I first discovered this film when Michelle Williams was on
the cover of Vogue (left) and I loved the article about her and her desire to
portray Marilyn accurately. I am not a die hard Marilyn Monroe fan, but I love the time she comes from of Hollywood glamor. It has been on the back of my mind to see and a couple of weeks ago I re-watched the trailer and saw that Eddie Redmayne (who I love from Les Mis) I knew I had to see it.
What I liked- The casting was great. Michelle Williams was beautiful and I really felt like I was watching Marilyn and not Michelle. I thought Eddie Redmayne played Colin Clark wonderfully, he played a character who was suppose to be swept up in the glamor of film and still wearing rose color glasses when he looked at Marilyn and I believed him in that part. Also the cameo appearance of Jim Carter (Carson from Downton Abbey) was just wonderful.
What I didn't like- I can't place my finger on it. I thought the whole film was beautiful, photography was great and I really thought Michelle Williams did a good job making Marilyn seem like a person and not just the blonde bomb shell. I even thought there was a good scene when Marilyn and Colin are leaving Windsor Castle and people are applauding her and whisper's to Colin, "should I play her?" He asks "who?" and she says "Marilyn." I thought this scene was perfect as it captured the idea that she knew she wasn't really Marilyn but Norma Jean. I guess at the end of it I wish Colin would have realized that no matter how glorious Marilyn was that he had a chance with true love in Lucy, the seamstress (played by Emma Watson). But this is movie is based off a book based off the memoirs of Colin, so maybe in this we can't change what actually happened.
Overall I would say good film to watch at least once but probably not going to run out and buy to keep in permanent collection. Recommend to anyone who loves the Hollywood Glamor area and wants to see kind of an unknown story of Marilyn.
Sorry went whole post without one picture of Eddie...
I really wish I had liked this film more. I love Jason Segel in How I Met Your Mother and in The Muppets (yep I saw it) and I love Emily Blunt (Devil Wears Prada, Young Victoria...some of my favorites). Also the premise of the movie is totally a romantic chic flick (my favorite).
So why didn't I like it, usually in my reviews I write first what I like then what I didn't like. Well I am breaking that format.
What I didn't like- It is rated R... maybe I should have paid more attention to that. They drop the F-bomb a lot and there are a lot of awkward sex scenes (they don't show anything but the scenes are just awkward. I was watching the movie and my roommate walked by and asked "what are you watching" and I said "why is it too loud?" "No, just has a lot of swearing." I also didn't like one plot twist involving Tom and one of his co-workers... he had Emily Blunt he shouldn't have been looking at another girl. (I won't go further as I don't want to give any spoilers). Just be prepared to hear the F word, if you watch it.
What I did like- There were a lot of moments that I thought were cute and I laughed out loud When Tom and Violet get engaged they had only known each other a year but it seemed like they were truly best friends, because they were so in-sync. Then when they are having a fight over Violet's career, Tom acts like such the woman in a relationship it is hilarious. He wants to be left a lone, so Violets gets out of bed to sleep on the couch, he looks at her spot and says "well don't leave," and she turns and says, "You wanted to be a lone." "I do but I don't want you to leave," he says. I am sorry but that just sounds like what a girl would say. Also the end is super cute (won't give away a spoiler).
Over all while there were cute moments I couldn't really get over the swearing and the awkward sex scenes. So saw once but not again... wishing Jason Segel and Emily Blunt would make a movie that was PG-13 or something.
I feel this has been my summer of movies and once again I thank the lovely Boston Public Library for letting me watch these movies for free (very important on a student budget). Here are some more movies I have checked off my to watch list...
Here are the two I loved...
1. We Bought a Zoo...
The trailer really says the basic plot line Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) is a writer always looking for an adventure until his wife dies and then the adventure becomes raising his kids. In looking to start over Benjamin goes on a house search only to find the perfect place to be a zoo. Here their new adventure begins with the help of Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johanson) and the others (both human and animals).
Why I watched- It just looked like a cute feel good film, but then during a random time on Pinterest I saw this picture (right) and I thought that looks like a film with a great story.
What I liked- There is a little spark between the characters Benjamin and Kelly but it is not all sappy an mushy, and the whole story did not revolve around it. The more romantic plot line of the story revolved around the son Dylan and Lily, they were cute and awkward as it should be. I forgot it was based off a true story, so I was very happy to read as the credits were going that: "The Dartmoor Zoological Park, on which this story is based, is an award-winning zoo...".
What I didn't like- Some parts seemed a little over dramatic especially the part of Dylan, but hey he is a teenage boy who just lost his mom he is going to be a bit dramatic. I felt over all did not take away from the story line and it probably would not have felt real if it wasn't included.
Overall- Great feel good movie, good family movie. It is rated PG but the disc I got included a "English Family-Friendly Audio Track" so it can be for everyone.
2. The Music Never Stops
It is a moving story (have tissues) about a father Henry (J.K. Simmons you might recognize him from Juno) and his son, Gabriel, have not seen each other for about 20 years after they had a fight. Now Gabriel has a brain tumor and it is their love of music that brings them together again. Of course Henry loves the classics like Frank Sinatra and Gabriel loves The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and mostly the Grateful Dead, but Henry in order to bond with his son again listens to Gabriel's music and gets insight into his son's life.
Why I watched- I had never heard of this movie before until I watched The Conspirator and this was one of the previews (that's right I still watch previews), I instantly thought this film looked sweet so I wanted to watch it.
What I liked- The whole movie. I thought J.K. Simmons played his role very well, he is 65 years old and stubborn, he believes the music his son loved brought about the end of their relationship, and he doesn't want to go back to that time. However, Diane Daley (Julia Ormond... I recognized her from Sabrina (1995)), the music therapist convinces him that Gabriel's music is the music that will help him. After that Henry goes in and trades in his albums for some of Gabriel's music and really starts to hear Gabriel's story. He even takes his son to a Grateful Dead concert.
Even though I am not of the Grateful Dead generation I still loved the soundtrack and maybe adding some of their music to my playlist.
What I didn't like- I can't think of anything. So over all I recommend it for any one who loves music (rather your Dead fan or not).
This got a little long so I will post Part 2 on Thursdays.
I'm not sure why but I am a little timid to post this one... I post a lot about myself, some things are far more personal than this post, but I am still timid. However, as I have written I want to share my ups and downs on this blog... this is neither an up or down just something I have been pondering over.
Some people think I am quiet (even if my friends or family don't believe it). I am quiet I think it is because I spend so much time in my own head... I am hoping this is typical for authors. I am good at writing out conversations but not so good in actually having them on my own. In high school my friend and I watched Dawson's Creek (well I watched the re-runs because I was late to the Dawson's Creek fan club). But one time we joked that Dawson's Creek was good at saying things you wanted to say but couldn't.
I am not good at saying things I want to because I am nervous or I am afraid. Sometimes the words I want to say I know will leave me vulnerable and potentially show off my weakness. And I can't say them. So I write my characters... usually they are heroines who everyone sees as quiet and maybe a bit plain looking but they dream of adventure and deep passion. By adventure, I don't mean going to explore the distant shores (though that would be cool) they mostly just follow their dreams wherever they might lead them no matter what. I feel in some ways they are a bit of me but in some ways they are the best of me.
Some people think I am quiet, I feel I express myself better on paper than I can in person.
I started thinking about this post on a Friday as I was leaving my therapy session. At first it was going to be a letter to my crush... I don't currently have a crush but it was more to the idea of a crush. It was to say just because I don't say "I like you" doesn't mean I don't, I just have a hard time putting myself out there. I have a hard time letting myself be vulnerable; I guess that is normal people like to be seen as strong, as having it all together but for me think it goes deeper. I know I want a deep passionate love like my characters but I feel trapped inside my mind. I want something but I can't open myself up and either express it or allow myself to feel it (does that make any sense?) So I stay quiet still longing for love and not exactly sure how to get it. I have been told most of my life through the church that the guy is too pursue the girl, but for that to happen the guy has to know if the girl is interested in him, right? So how does this introverted girl, this girl who rather write than talk, find this love? I don't know... still on the path of figuring that out.
However, I don't want people to think that just because I don't talk doesn't mean I don't like you... I am just unsure of what to say.
I think only my loyal readers will recognize some changes are happening. This summer I have tried to post on Monday, Wednesday, Friday as those were my lighter days. Well now I have taken a second job working at the Old North Church gift shop (at least until the end of October) and now working 6 days a week not giving much time to write or notify my lovely Facebook followers that I have blogged.* So I am still going to post but now my post might be on Tuesdays and Thursdays as those are my late days.
Then everything is going to change again come September when I start classes. So changes are a coming for better or worse I am just trying to roll with the punches.
One change coming is I am moving... not far just another apartment. But it feels like a big change I will have 2 roommates and additional pets (I hope Darcy is okay with this transition). Another change I will be doing an internship over the fall semester. I have filled out my student profile and now waiting for placement from my school. I am also taking a children's librarian class. It is totally not in my track as I am a History/Archives, but a lot people have told me I should work with children, so I thought this would be interesting. I am seriously hoping that the internship and the children's librarian class will help give me more insight in what I want to do with my life... after last semester I am completely drained and feel somewhat passionless for library science.
I will keep you posted on any other life changes.
*-In case you are worried for me. I am making ends meet by working my current job, I am just trying to save more money. Also I want a job somewhat related to my interest.
I know for us in America, the season 4 premiere date in January seems like such a long time... so I thought I would post it. It is Mary and Matthew highlights. While the video is good I liked the song so I searched for it in order to add it to my library. The song is "Never Far From Me" by John Garrison.
They are very simple but the song is sweet:
Never far from me Any time I feel low I just don't know how you know You are never far from me You are never far from me
Once again, there goes the phone How could you possibly know
You are never far from me You are never far from me
Before the time that you go There is something you should know You will always be in me You are never far from me
I know I have posted a few movie reviews up here... well this is the last of my 6 that I got from the library and it was probably the most powerful one. The Conspirator is about Mary Surratt played by Robin Wright (The Princess Bride, Forrest Gump), she is the mother of John Surratt and owned the boarding house visited by John Wilkes Booth. John Surratt is the only one of the assassinators that got away after the Lincoln assassination. This is the story of her court case. Tom Wilkinson (who was in Best Marigold Hotel) is a senator from Maryland but also a lawyer takes on her case believing it is in just for a civilian to be tried in a military court but then quickly realizes as he is from Maryland he will not be able to win the case so he gives it to his associate Frederick Aiken played by James McAvoy (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the witch and the Wardrobe, Atonement, Becoming Jane). That sounds bad but Tom Wilkson's character gives Frederick the case because Frederick was a Union captain and believes that will give Mary Surratt better chances. At first Frederick believes Mary Surratt is guilty and doesn't want the case and all his friends including girl friend (played by Alexis Bledel) try to talk him out of fighting the case, but more than the guilt or innocence of Mary he fights to defend justice. As much as it is Mary Surratt and Fredrick Aiken's story it is also the story about our country after the assassination.
Why I watched- There are a few reasons I watched this film. 1) My love of Alexis Bledel, I know I should say my love of history... I mean after all I am getting a Master's in History... nope the first thing that drew me to this movie was seeing Alexis Bledel in the trailer. I loved her in Gilmore Girls and want to support her career. 2) As much as I am a 19th Century fan I know very little about the Civil War and the after affects. So I was intrigued.
What I loved- The story. Like I said I do not know much about this time period and it does not seem to be a story spread widely around so I was kind of on the edge of my seat to see how it was all going to come about. I also loved how even though Frederick did not believe in Mary Surratt's innocence he believed in justice. There is one scene where Mary asks "have you ever lived for something greater than yourself?" He responds "I spent the last four years fighting for something greater than myself" and she says back to him then "We are the same." I think this scene really changes the story. He begins to see her as a person and not just a guilty person. I also liked seeing Kevin Kline play sort of a bad guy. In the roles I know him in he usually plays a funny guy but in this he is the Secretary of War and is so set on bringing down anyone involved with the assassination he doesn't even really listen to reason. He says he is doing it for the good of the country, but I was wondering was he? I also loved that we don't know if Mary Surratt knew about the conspiracy or not and I guess the writers are leaving that to decided. However Mary Surratt has such strength, I don't want to give a way any spoilers but there is one scene where the men she is being tried with are crying and she is just still. It was a very powerful moment.
What I didn't like- Alexis Bledel, the main reason I watched this film, is actually kind of a weak character. Though, now having wrote that, I wonder if I wouldn't respond in the same way. Her country has just been turn apart by war, all along waiting for her love to come back from the battle, then the president is shot, and her love is defending someone who everyone thinks is guilty.
Overall- I saw Lincoln over Christmas this seems like a good follow up to that movie though on slightly smaller scale (not so over the top as Lincoln). And while this is mostly a trial movie there was plenty of story outside the court room to keep the scenes interesting. I think even none history buffs will like it.
The real Conspirators
The casting for this was great some of the actors look like twins to these guys
{pic}
At the end all of these movie reviews I am happy to have some movies crossed off my To Netflix List but I must say I have enjoyed more getting these movie at the library... hello free is always the best.
