Last night I went to see "WALL-E," the newest Pixar movie. I love Pixar movies in general; they are always so cleverly thought through and executed. This one was absolutely no exception to the rule.
First of all, the movie opened with a view of the Earth from space. The voice of a young Michael Crawford floats through the studio: "Out there, there's a world outside of Yonkers, way beyond this hick-town, Barnaby...there's a slick town, Barnaby...Out there, full of shine and full of sparkle, close your eyes and see it glisten Barnaby...listen, Barnaby! Put on your Sunday clothes, there's lots of world out there..." I love the musical movie "Hello, Dolly!" so naturally this beginning made me gasp in recognition and then bounce up and down in my seat, singing along as softly as I could.
We zoom in on the world and find that Wall-e is a little robot left on Earth to clean up after humans, who are living large (literally) on a cruise spaceship far out in the galaxy. Wall-e spends his work day alone and then comes home and watches "Hello Dolly!" and tries to imitate the dance moves until it's time to sleep. Which is just about exactly what I do. So...that's my life. Anyway, the song "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" comes back to be a sort of theme song for Wall-e and a rallying anthem for the protagonists in the film. And the other "Hello, Dolly" song used in the movie was "It Only Takes a Moment," which was the love theme for Wall-e and his love interest, Eve. I won't give away anything else, since the movie just came out. But I will give anyone who goes to see the movie this tip: Stay and watch the credits--they do a really cool thing with the progression of art and animation.
And speaking of progression and movies, and musicals...I just saw "Singing in the Rain." WHY has it taken me 23 years to see this movie? It is a masterpiece, a landmark...it's a movie about movies, a musical about musicals! How could I NOT love it?! But anyway, it's amazing. And the really cool thing is how it follows the history of movies and how going from silent film to talking pictures changed Hollywood and the people who worked there. And the DVD has a special feature that shows you clips of some of those actual landmark movies, like "The Jazz Singer" and "Broadway Melody." And by the way, watching the clip from "Broadway Melody" convinced me of something I have always suspected, and that is that if I had been around back in the 1920s and 30s, I could have made it into a few movies. The dancing in the clip from "Broadway Melody" was like watching a high school theatre production, except for this unreal dancer who tap-danced on toe shoes...I just don't get how she did it!!! That was amazing. But the rest of the girls were really mediocre...lol...I think I could've given them a run for their money. I don't mean to sound conceited...I just think it really was a lot easier back then to get into the movies!
Well, I'm not living back in the 20s and 30s, and I'm not in Hollywood, but thanks to the fact that I am living in the 21st century, I can make my own little movies. That brings me to my last little bit...a video I made after a group of us from the HSM cast spent last Saturday at the Taste of Tippecanoe, a really neat downtown event where you get to walk around and try all kinds of food from different restuarants and listen to local bands.
And that's all I got! More later on...
Lis
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
the heart of life
Oh, man, is this a rainy day for the books! I love thunderstorms, and this morning is Grade A as far as they are concerned. This is "unplug your laptop and lay on the couch under a blanket and blog while you watch the lightning through the window" weather! I love it!
I'll let my thoughts rumble and tumble out of my head and onto the screen like the thunder rolling outside...
I'm so excited about going to the Lake. As much as I had tried every year of my life not to take my time up there for granted, there was no way I could truly appreciate it until last summer when I didn't get to go for the first time in the almost-23 years of my life.
Going up there is the epitomy of what a vacation, a Sabbath, a refuge should be. I always feel closer to God when I'm up there. He is impossible to ignore in that place. First of all, there is no TV, no Internet, and no cell phone reception, so most of life's daily distractions are removed from your life while you're there. Plus, the Northwoods of Minnesota are at their finest, as that area is lightly inhabited and barely cultivated by people, leaving plenty of room for all of God's creation to be on its best display, from the clear lakes to the beautiful, thick forests of birches and pines, to the frequently spotted eagles, loons, deer, moose, and even bears living among our little cabins. And I think that atmosphere lends itself to a sense of clarity we all get from spending time at the lake. We all get time away from our problems and get a chance to weigh them in an environment that makes us question what is really necessary and what is not worth worrying about. We sit on the dock at night and look at the big glass bowl of sky over the lake and watch it fill with stars and Northern Lights, and we realize how small we are and how insignificant some of our problems are. Marla and I always laugh because she always seemed to end up going home and breaking up with her boyfriends after we went ot the lake back in high school...but the truth is, she just had time away to evaluate her relationships and decide whether or not they were really worth her time and energy.
I have felt an overwhelming sense of clarity increasing in my life in the past year and especially in the past six months or so, and I can only imagine how much clearer things will be when I get to the Lake. I always love that Bible passage that goes something like, "Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we will see face to face..." I always equated that to what it will be like to get to Heaven, and I always thought it would be that feeling of being at the Lake times like infinity. You know, because right now I have this dim, smudgy look at my life and everything in it, but at the Lake it's so beautiful and awesome that it puts everything else into perspective so clearly. So I think Heaven will be like the Lake, only much, much better.
Anyway, there are a few John Mayer songs striking some major chords (no pun intended, seriously) with me lately. One, of course, is "Clarity" from his album "The Heavier Things" (that is a GREAT album, by the way). The song says a lot about how I'm feeling these days and especially how it feels at the Lake...
This morning, there's a calm I can't explain
Rock candy's melted, only diamonds now remain...
By the time I recognize this moment
This moment will be gone
But I will bend the light, pretend that it somehow lingered on...
And I will wait to find
If this will last forever
And I will pay no mind
When I won't and it won't cause it can't
It just can't
It's not supposed to
Besides the obvious theme of clarity, I just love how it's about trying to hang on to the moments as long as you can even though you know it's going to be over at some point. That's how it is at the Lake; you take in every sight and sound ans smell from the minute you start driving down the lane to the cabin and get your first glimpse at the Lake, to the last second you're driving away, looking behind you to keep the mailbox row in view as long as you can and knowing it will be another year or more until you can come back again.
And speaking of that sad trip home from the lake, this is another JM song that has been speaking to me on multiple levels, because it's about growing up, but one part is just totally the Lake:
Once in a while when it's good
It'll feel like it should
And they're all still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing
'til you cry when you're driving away in the dark...
Singing stop this train, I want to get off and go home again
I can't take this speed it's moving in
I know I can't
Cause now I see I'll never stop this train
Firstly, that part about it feeling like it should and everyone being around and feeling safe. That's so what it's like; Mamaw and Papaw, sometimes aunts and uncles, and always a few very old, very good friends are around, and you're safe from the pressures of the life you put on hold while you went on vacation, and you drink in every moment of it. And then the part about crying while you drive away in the dark...that is SPOT ON what happens when you leave the Lake. It's always dark because it's early-early in the morning. And you always cry, you can't help it, because you don't want to leave this little paradise; you don't want to go back and face reality again. And you feel like that little red cabin is home...you're just going back to the world to get by until you can come home to the little cabin again. (Again, a lot like Heaven!) So anyway, that's pretty much that.
Finally, I am loving this song and I think a lot of the people who check in on my blog from time to time might like it too, because a lot of us are living in what is so far the hardest and most challenging time of our lives right now. And this song is just a great little anthem for those of us trying to stay afloat in the big world...so I'm gonna post the whole song and the video so you all can have a listen. This one's for you!
"The Heart Of Life"
I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears
And listen
Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good
You know, it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
But, then your circle of friends
Will defend the silver lining
Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good
Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
Fear is a friend who's misunderstood
But I know the heart of life is good
I know it's good
Love!
Lis
I'll let my thoughts rumble and tumble out of my head and onto the screen like the thunder rolling outside...
I'm so excited about going to the Lake. As much as I had tried every year of my life not to take my time up there for granted, there was no way I could truly appreciate it until last summer when I didn't get to go for the first time in the almost-23 years of my life.
Going up there is the epitomy of what a vacation, a Sabbath, a refuge should be. I always feel closer to God when I'm up there. He is impossible to ignore in that place. First of all, there is no TV, no Internet, and no cell phone reception, so most of life's daily distractions are removed from your life while you're there. Plus, the Northwoods of Minnesota are at their finest, as that area is lightly inhabited and barely cultivated by people, leaving plenty of room for all of God's creation to be on its best display, from the clear lakes to the beautiful, thick forests of birches and pines, to the frequently spotted eagles, loons, deer, moose, and even bears living among our little cabins. And I think that atmosphere lends itself to a sense of clarity we all get from spending time at the lake. We all get time away from our problems and get a chance to weigh them in an environment that makes us question what is really necessary and what is not worth worrying about. We sit on the dock at night and look at the big glass bowl of sky over the lake and watch it fill with stars and Northern Lights, and we realize how small we are and how insignificant some of our problems are. Marla and I always laugh because she always seemed to end up going home and breaking up with her boyfriends after we went ot the lake back in high school...but the truth is, she just had time away to evaluate her relationships and decide whether or not they were really worth her time and energy.
I have felt an overwhelming sense of clarity increasing in my life in the past year and especially in the past six months or so, and I can only imagine how much clearer things will be when I get to the Lake. I always love that Bible passage that goes something like, "Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we will see face to face..." I always equated that to what it will be like to get to Heaven, and I always thought it would be that feeling of being at the Lake times like infinity. You know, because right now I have this dim, smudgy look at my life and everything in it, but at the Lake it's so beautiful and awesome that it puts everything else into perspective so clearly. So I think Heaven will be like the Lake, only much, much better.
Anyway, there are a few John Mayer songs striking some major chords (no pun intended, seriously) with me lately. One, of course, is "Clarity" from his album "The Heavier Things" (that is a GREAT album, by the way). The song says a lot about how I'm feeling these days and especially how it feels at the Lake...
This morning, there's a calm I can't explain
Rock candy's melted, only diamonds now remain...
By the time I recognize this moment
This moment will be gone
But I will bend the light, pretend that it somehow lingered on...
And I will wait to find
If this will last forever
And I will pay no mind
When I won't and it won't cause it can't
It just can't
It's not supposed to
Besides the obvious theme of clarity, I just love how it's about trying to hang on to the moments as long as you can even though you know it's going to be over at some point. That's how it is at the Lake; you take in every sight and sound ans smell from the minute you start driving down the lane to the cabin and get your first glimpse at the Lake, to the last second you're driving away, looking behind you to keep the mailbox row in view as long as you can and knowing it will be another year or more until you can come back again.
And speaking of that sad trip home from the lake, this is another JM song that has been speaking to me on multiple levels, because it's about growing up, but one part is just totally the Lake:
Once in a while when it's good
It'll feel like it should
And they're all still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing
'til you cry when you're driving away in the dark...
Singing stop this train, I want to get off and go home again
I can't take this speed it's moving in
I know I can't
Cause now I see I'll never stop this train
Firstly, that part about it feeling like it should and everyone being around and feeling safe. That's so what it's like; Mamaw and Papaw, sometimes aunts and uncles, and always a few very old, very good friends are around, and you're safe from the pressures of the life you put on hold while you went on vacation, and you drink in every moment of it. And then the part about crying while you drive away in the dark...that is SPOT ON what happens when you leave the Lake. It's always dark because it's early-early in the morning. And you always cry, you can't help it, because you don't want to leave this little paradise; you don't want to go back and face reality again. And you feel like that little red cabin is home...you're just going back to the world to get by until you can come home to the little cabin again. (Again, a lot like Heaven!) So anyway, that's pretty much that.
Finally, I am loving this song and I think a lot of the people who check in on my blog from time to time might like it too, because a lot of us are living in what is so far the hardest and most challenging time of our lives right now. And this song is just a great little anthem for those of us trying to stay afloat in the big world...so I'm gonna post the whole song and the video so you all can have a listen. This one's for you!
"The Heart Of Life"
I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears
And listen
Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good
You know, it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
But, then your circle of friends
Will defend the silver lining
Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good
Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
Fear is a friend who's misunderstood
But I know the heart of life is good
I know it's good
Love!
Lis
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
he knew
Graham knew he was going home this week.
I just finished watching the newest episode of the Bachelorette, and was it a good one or WHAT! The stakes are much higher, with four guys left, each taking Deanna home to meet their families.
All of the hometown visits went unbelievably well, except for Graham's. First all was fine, as Graham finally got to relax with Deanna and be in his own environment, and she was excited that he was more talkative. But you could see that Deanna was in major puppy love...she was practically wagging her tail when she got out of the car to meet him. After the conversation with Graham's mom, though, reality kicked in and Deanna could see that Graham still was a long way from the super-attentive, totally committed person she was hoping for in a husband. Then they left the house and sat on that bench in the woods and you could just tell...he wasn't there. And here is my theory:
Graham wasn't into the show. He wasn't into bunking with a bunch of other guys and dating the same girl as all of them. He wasn't into the cameras. And he wasn't into falling all over himself to keep Deanna's attention. And I respect that. I said before that Graham seems like a real person, and what is he doing on this show? I think this episode proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt. My theory is that he got quiet on that bench because (a) he's a quiet guy and (b) all those cameras were around and he realized, this is what the deal is until they get ENGAGED. They will never truly be alone with each other in the moment until after this show is over, and by then it will be proposal time! And he's probably not ready for that. Then when she starts trying to pick his brain (which I would've done too, I admit), he realized, this is what the deal is until she DIES! Deanna will never be content with Graham handling things internally; she'll just insist that he's "running away." And he knew in that moment, I think, that it wasn't going to work.
And when he showed up to the rose ceremony in jeans, I KNEW that he knew he was headed right back out that door again.
The scene on the bench broke my heart, but only because I know what it's like telling someone goodbye when you know it's absolutely the right thing to do even though you think you want to keep him around so badly. And I'm not a big Deanna fan, but I was kind of "proud" of her for putting Graham in that limo. They weren't for each other, which was clear, but she wanted him to be The Guy so badly that it was hard to admit it wasn't the right thing. I've definitely been there, and I know that while she was second-guessing herself in that moment, she'll look back at that now and be glad she let him go. I may be projecting a little bit. Yeah, I think I am. But I also really think that's what went on there.
And the way Graham turned away from her, obviously crying...that was a sure sign that he wasn't at that point where she wanted him to be, if he couldn't cry in front of her. That's just not who he is...or maybe she's just not that person for him to feel like he can cry in front of, hence another sign that it was over. But you could see in his face that he knew he had blown his chance. And then the NOTE!!! OMG...I think he had that note ready because he knew he was going home. And I honestly felt for both of them at that point because I think they both wanted it to work out, but just knew down in the bottom of their hearts that it wasn't going to pan out. She held out her hand to walk him to the car, he didn't take it. He held out the note to her, and she didn't take THAT. He sets it on the bench. And then he says, "This is for you to read ONLY. Not for some show..." AGGGGHHH!!! Does that not seal it? This guy was not ready to let his guard down and let his feelings out in front of a girl, in front of a camera! And then his brimming tears and that subtle shake of his head as he drove away...ohhhh it just broke my heart. It was like watching a real break-up. Maybe it's just because I'm PMSing. But GEEZ!!!
Oh, and I can't WAIT to see next week's episod when they go on the exotic dates. Jesse totally sold me when they showed what happened when she gave him the card for the fantasy suite. (In case you don't know how this gameshow works, the "exotic" dates end with the possibility of Deanna inviting the guy to stay with her in the fantasy suite overnight, rather than stay in their own separate rooms.) So they preview Jason, who I love, who starts reading the card and stops mid-sentence, throws the card to the side and says, "Yeah!!!" (Which is cute.) And then they show Jesse, who reads the card and says, "I don't know if I can do this until after I've met your father." YES YES YEEEEESSSSSS!!!! This guy is A+ Excellent quality! (Just not physically attractive to me personally.) But oh WOW, has that ever happened in the history of this show??! This guy won't make it past next week, but I love him and I think he has proven time and time again that he is the ultimate in chivalry. Any girl would be lucky to marry this kid.
OK, the pool is calling. Oh, and WTF, MTV? Thanks for not posting last night's episode of "The Search for Elle Woods!" Luckily, they did post the audition sequences and I think Lauren and Rhiannon did exceptionally well. Pleeeeeaaase tell me Celina went home. No, don't tell me. I can wait till Thursday when they post the episode. I didn't buy Cassie's performance either...I think she'd be better in a goofy, comedic supporting role than as a leading lady. Plus, she has some serious pitch/hearing issues. And Bailey did the song like a clone of Laura Bell Bundy :-P Boo...she sounded good though. OK, I'm done talking about this because I'm going to the pool!!! Bye!
I just finished watching the newest episode of the Bachelorette, and was it a good one or WHAT! The stakes are much higher, with four guys left, each taking Deanna home to meet their families.
All of the hometown visits went unbelievably well, except for Graham's. First all was fine, as Graham finally got to relax with Deanna and be in his own environment, and she was excited that he was more talkative. But you could see that Deanna was in major puppy love...she was practically wagging her tail when she got out of the car to meet him. After the conversation with Graham's mom, though, reality kicked in and Deanna could see that Graham still was a long way from the super-attentive, totally committed person she was hoping for in a husband. Then they left the house and sat on that bench in the woods and you could just tell...he wasn't there. And here is my theory:
Graham wasn't into the show. He wasn't into bunking with a bunch of other guys and dating the same girl as all of them. He wasn't into the cameras. And he wasn't into falling all over himself to keep Deanna's attention. And I respect that. I said before that Graham seems like a real person, and what is he doing on this show? I think this episode proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt. My theory is that he got quiet on that bench because (a) he's a quiet guy and (b) all those cameras were around and he realized, this is what the deal is until they get ENGAGED. They will never truly be alone with each other in the moment until after this show is over, and by then it will be proposal time! And he's probably not ready for that. Then when she starts trying to pick his brain (which I would've done too, I admit), he realized, this is what the deal is until she DIES! Deanna will never be content with Graham handling things internally; she'll just insist that he's "running away." And he knew in that moment, I think, that it wasn't going to work.
And when he showed up to the rose ceremony in jeans, I KNEW that he knew he was headed right back out that door again.
The scene on the bench broke my heart, but only because I know what it's like telling someone goodbye when you know it's absolutely the right thing to do even though you think you want to keep him around so badly. And I'm not a big Deanna fan, but I was kind of "proud" of her for putting Graham in that limo. They weren't for each other, which was clear, but she wanted him to be The Guy so badly that it was hard to admit it wasn't the right thing. I've definitely been there, and I know that while she was second-guessing herself in that moment, she'll look back at that now and be glad she let him go. I may be projecting a little bit. Yeah, I think I am. But I also really think that's what went on there.
And the way Graham turned away from her, obviously crying...that was a sure sign that he wasn't at that point where she wanted him to be, if he couldn't cry in front of her. That's just not who he is...or maybe she's just not that person for him to feel like he can cry in front of, hence another sign that it was over. But you could see in his face that he knew he had blown his chance. And then the NOTE!!! OMG...I think he had that note ready because he knew he was going home. And I honestly felt for both of them at that point because I think they both wanted it to work out, but just knew down in the bottom of their hearts that it wasn't going to pan out. She held out her hand to walk him to the car, he didn't take it. He held out the note to her, and she didn't take THAT. He sets it on the bench. And then he says, "This is for you to read ONLY. Not for some show..." AGGGGHHH!!! Does that not seal it? This guy was not ready to let his guard down and let his feelings out in front of a girl, in front of a camera! And then his brimming tears and that subtle shake of his head as he drove away...ohhhh it just broke my heart. It was like watching a real break-up. Maybe it's just because I'm PMSing. But GEEZ!!!
Oh, and I can't WAIT to see next week's episod when they go on the exotic dates. Jesse totally sold me when they showed what happened when she gave him the card for the fantasy suite. (In case you don't know how this gameshow works, the "exotic" dates end with the possibility of Deanna inviting the guy to stay with her in the fantasy suite overnight, rather than stay in their own separate rooms.) So they preview Jason, who I love, who starts reading the card and stops mid-sentence, throws the card to the side and says, "Yeah!!!" (Which is cute.) And then they show Jesse, who reads the card and says, "I don't know if I can do this until after I've met your father." YES YES YEEEEESSSSSS!!!! This guy is A+ Excellent quality! (Just not physically attractive to me personally.) But oh WOW, has that ever happened in the history of this show??! This guy won't make it past next week, but I love him and I think he has proven time and time again that he is the ultimate in chivalry. Any girl would be lucky to marry this kid.
OK, the pool is calling. Oh, and WTF, MTV? Thanks for not posting last night's episode of "The Search for Elle Woods!" Luckily, they did post the audition sequences and I think Lauren and Rhiannon did exceptionally well. Pleeeeeaaase tell me Celina went home. No, don't tell me. I can wait till Thursday when they post the episode. I didn't buy Cassie's performance either...I think she'd be better in a goofy, comedic supporting role than as a leading lady. Plus, she has some serious pitch/hearing issues. And Bailey did the song like a clone of Laura Bell Bundy :-P Boo...she sounded good though. OK, I'm done talking about this because I'm going to the pool!!! Bye!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
reality check
***Disclaimer! I started writing this on Thursday and I kept dozing off, so I had to finish it tonight, seeing as Monday night is just around the corner and I don't want to get behind!***
Wow, I actually haven't blogged yet this week. It's Thursday! I'm so excited! OK, I feel the need to recap my two current reality obsessions.
The Bachelorette
I'm gonna save the you the trouble of pretending to be entertained by my comments when everything I have to say wouldn't compare to Lincee, queen of the Bachelor recap blog domain. It was a killer episode, but I'll just leave it to the pro.
Moving on...
The Search for Elle Woods
First of all, can I just say that I know at LEAST 10 girls that I could put on this show who would be more talented than this bunch? With a few exceptions. I think a few of them are really tough. But most of the time, I feel like I'm watching high school theatre.
We get a flashback of the last episode, in which Nikki Snelson of the LB Broadway cast dropped lines on the girls, and Cassie O. was sent home. Then we see what's going to happen...and it can be summed up with one fitting word: Da-RAMA!
The girls are starting to realize after the first of the top ten left, it became clear that this is truly a competition...not just musical theatre camp.
The two remaining of the "bottom three" return. Everyone is glad to see Lindsay, but less thrilled about stage poodle Cassie S. Cassie observes to the camera that Lindsay got way more hugs than she did, followed by, "Oh, it is ON!!!"
Oh. My. Gosh.
I would also like to point out at this point that all these girls are wearing matching LB sweats. What? They are wearing these stinking things all the time. It's like the only time they AREN'T instructed specifically on what to wear is when they receive their cryptic "call sheets."
Speaking of the call sheet, it sends them to a gym where they meet their vocal coach for some exercise/singing rehearsal. This is actually a pretty awesome way to show how talented some of these girls are. I mean, I can hardly carry a conversation on a spin bike, much less belt a song. So, props to these girls...except Cassie S. Who, by the way, the producer has decided to hate on this episode. I don't mind, if you don't. She is the ONLY person who is vocally all over the place with her pitch...like, is this even real? And then cut to Cassie confessing to the camera that she is sooo impressed with how good she was.
Hayley Duff comes in to help the vocal coach announce the winner of the workout/singing session. Lauren wins for fierce belting, and she picks Cassie S. to share the prize with her in an effort to show friendship to the girl everyone hates...how Elle of her! Cassie is pissed to be picked out of "pity." The reward is "a mani-pedi" with Orfeh, who plays Paulette in LB on B'way.
The girls make good use of their time by asking Orfeh for advice. Orfeh makes good use of OUR time by attempting to dig into the dirt on what goes on inside the house. Cassie tells the camera how stupid it is that everyone says they get along in the house. Here's what I know about girls---the ones who say we're all getting along are the ones who are trying to create a positive atmosphere. The ones who say it's catty are the ones who are making it catty.
The girls say goodbye and Cassie tells Orfeh to "watch the nails" like she and O. are best buds. Ugh...
The tension is high when Lauren and Cassie get back. Everyone is jealous of their mani-pedi treatments. Emma tells us how unhelpful it would've been for her to meet a Broadway star because she grew up in a Broadway family. "Whatever." Many of the girls express to the camera that Emma should've won. Too bad she wouldn't have cared about the reward.
Next morning, the call sheet arrives just in time to give the girls a big pink panic attack because they only have a half-hour to get ready for their call time. Some girls brag about how quickly they can get ready in the morning.
The girls show up at the rehearsal studio to find out they will not only be learning Elle's part for the audition song, "Omigod," but they will also learn the chorus parts to perform for each other's auditions. Vocal dude notices how much the girl half-ass it when they're not singing Elle's part, and predicts some serious "biotchery" in the house.
The girls head back to the loft where they decide to run the piece and give everyone a chance to run it as Elle. Flashback to elementary recesses when my little friends and I would "take turns" singing songs from Disney movies...and it was the same thing. Everyone wants to sing the princess part. No one wants to be Aladdin, or the Beast, or Sabastian, or Zazu. We see the girls dwindle away, until finally it's Cassie's turn and Bailey decides to rest her voice...along with three other girls who aren't called out for not participating.
The girls are soooo nervous for the auditions. I would be, too. They each go through the piece with "local actress" Nicole who plays the shop girl's part.
Haylie Duff keeps saying "at least" one of the girls will go home after the audition...hmm?
Autumn goes first. I kind of love this girl...she cracks me up in her little camera confessionals. She is good; she messes up the words, but she totally covers herself. She is much older than most of the other girls, and her maturity puts her on a whole different level than the other girls competitively. She's not even worried about whether people hug her or not. Poodle, please!
Rhiannon is next. She is so adorable, but so young in contrast to Autumn that it makes me have a hard time believing her as a college grad. The judges think she is a "joyologist." Cue Molly Shannon, anyone? "I love it I love it I love it!!!"
And I would like to mention at this point that Cassie S. can be spotted "giving 100%" for all the other girls in the background...but I know what this is. She's not being helpful and selfless. She's trying to be noticed. We used to have a girl in the PMO Kid's Choir who was always overdoing everything, including her reactions to other people's solo parts, in an attempt to keep all eyes on her. It's not helpful. It's a-freaking-nnoying, and she needs to cut it out. But that's why we love to hate her, right?
Anyway, on with the auditions. Bailey is too Disney. Emma is too harsh. Natalie does pretty stinkin' well...we see a pleased smile from Bernie. Cassie S. does a good job...and then the judges put her on the spot: "Do you think you should go home?" She makes the brilliant move to say she thinks other girls should go before her. The judges ask for names, and she cops out by saying she wants to say a name but not on a personal level. Then the judges ask a question written down by the producers of the MTV reality show..."Do you think other girls weren't supporting you when you practiced in the house last night?" Of course, Cassie tells the truth and the girls backstage get pissed and coin the title of this episode: "Omigod, She Threw Us Under the Bus!"
Back to the auditions! Lindsay gives a high school theatre-level performance. Lauren starts every phrase of her song with an "H." Celina is too sexy. And scary. And mean. Seriously, what is she DOING here?!
The judges give Celina some criticism and then she cries to the camera about being talked down to and not being treated like a person. Um...welcome to show business?
The judges do their deliberating and then Haylie brings the girls out to tell them FOUR of them will go to the casting office today...dun dun dun. The List of girls who are safe for the week are Autumn, Bailey, Rhiannon, Natalie, and...Cassie!
WHA????!!!!
OMG, are all the girls pissed or WHAT! Celina, Lindsay, Emma, and Lauren all head to the casting office. But the best part is the "photo finish" moment when Cassie walks into the dressing room, revealing Bailey's reaction when she walks in. Total shock and horror...Priceless.
The judges do their best to deliver the lines written by the MTV producer in as natural a form as possible. "You're here today because your auditions didn't soar." "Your dream of becoming Elle Woods may be over."
After giving their criticisms to the girls, the judges tell Emma they want to see more colors. They tell Celina she has potential. They tell Lauren she is wasting their time. They tell Lindsay she's cut.
Lindsay has a great exiting speech to the camera. She is hopeful for a career on Broadway in the future. It's ok, Lindsay, I don't know why they sent you home and kept Celina either!
OK, that's it. I'm ready for the next installment! And I can't wait to see Bachelorette hometown visits this week! :)
Until then!
Lis
Wow, I actually haven't blogged yet this week. It's Thursday! I'm so excited! OK, I feel the need to recap my two current reality obsessions.
The Bachelorette
I'm gonna save the you the trouble of pretending to be entertained by my comments when everything I have to say wouldn't compare to Lincee, queen of the Bachelor recap blog domain. It was a killer episode, but I'll just leave it to the pro.
Moving on...
The Search for Elle Woods
First of all, can I just say that I know at LEAST 10 girls that I could put on this show who would be more talented than this bunch? With a few exceptions. I think a few of them are really tough. But most of the time, I feel like I'm watching high school theatre.
We get a flashback of the last episode, in which Nikki Snelson of the LB Broadway cast dropped lines on the girls, and Cassie O. was sent home. Then we see what's going to happen...and it can be summed up with one fitting word: Da-RAMA!
The girls are starting to realize after the first of the top ten left, it became clear that this is truly a competition...not just musical theatre camp.
The two remaining of the "bottom three" return. Everyone is glad to see Lindsay, but less thrilled about stage poodle Cassie S. Cassie observes to the camera that Lindsay got way more hugs than she did, followed by, "Oh, it is ON!!!"
Oh. My. Gosh.
I would also like to point out at this point that all these girls are wearing matching LB sweats. What? They are wearing these stinking things all the time. It's like the only time they AREN'T instructed specifically on what to wear is when they receive their cryptic "call sheets."
Speaking of the call sheet, it sends them to a gym where they meet their vocal coach for some exercise/singing rehearsal. This is actually a pretty awesome way to show how talented some of these girls are. I mean, I can hardly carry a conversation on a spin bike, much less belt a song. So, props to these girls...except Cassie S. Who, by the way, the producer has decided to hate on this episode. I don't mind, if you don't. She is the ONLY person who is vocally all over the place with her pitch...like, is this even real? And then cut to Cassie confessing to the camera that she is sooo impressed with how good she was.
Hayley Duff comes in to help the vocal coach announce the winner of the workout/singing session. Lauren wins for fierce belting, and she picks Cassie S. to share the prize with her in an effort to show friendship to the girl everyone hates...how Elle of her! Cassie is pissed to be picked out of "pity." The reward is "a mani-pedi" with Orfeh, who plays Paulette in LB on B'way.
The girls make good use of their time by asking Orfeh for advice. Orfeh makes good use of OUR time by attempting to dig into the dirt on what goes on inside the house. Cassie tells the camera how stupid it is that everyone says they get along in the house. Here's what I know about girls---the ones who say we're all getting along are the ones who are trying to create a positive atmosphere. The ones who say it's catty are the ones who are making it catty.
The girls say goodbye and Cassie tells Orfeh to "watch the nails" like she and O. are best buds. Ugh...
The tension is high when Lauren and Cassie get back. Everyone is jealous of their mani-pedi treatments. Emma tells us how unhelpful it would've been for her to meet a Broadway star because she grew up in a Broadway family. "Whatever." Many of the girls express to the camera that Emma should've won. Too bad she wouldn't have cared about the reward.
Next morning, the call sheet arrives just in time to give the girls a big pink panic attack because they only have a half-hour to get ready for their call time. Some girls brag about how quickly they can get ready in the morning.
The girls show up at the rehearsal studio to find out they will not only be learning Elle's part for the audition song, "Omigod," but they will also learn the chorus parts to perform for each other's auditions. Vocal dude notices how much the girl half-ass it when they're not singing Elle's part, and predicts some serious "biotchery" in the house.
The girls head back to the loft where they decide to run the piece and give everyone a chance to run it as Elle. Flashback to elementary recesses when my little friends and I would "take turns" singing songs from Disney movies...and it was the same thing. Everyone wants to sing the princess part. No one wants to be Aladdin, or the Beast, or Sabastian, or Zazu. We see the girls dwindle away, until finally it's Cassie's turn and Bailey decides to rest her voice...along with three other girls who aren't called out for not participating.
The girls are soooo nervous for the auditions. I would be, too. They each go through the piece with "local actress" Nicole who plays the shop girl's part.
Haylie Duff keeps saying "at least" one of the girls will go home after the audition...hmm?
Autumn goes first. I kind of love this girl...she cracks me up in her little camera confessionals. She is good; she messes up the words, but she totally covers herself. She is much older than most of the other girls, and her maturity puts her on a whole different level than the other girls competitively. She's not even worried about whether people hug her or not. Poodle, please!
Rhiannon is next. She is so adorable, but so young in contrast to Autumn that it makes me have a hard time believing her as a college grad. The judges think she is a "joyologist." Cue Molly Shannon, anyone? "I love it I love it I love it!!!"
And I would like to mention at this point that Cassie S. can be spotted "giving 100%" for all the other girls in the background...but I know what this is. She's not being helpful and selfless. She's trying to be noticed. We used to have a girl in the PMO Kid's Choir who was always overdoing everything, including her reactions to other people's solo parts, in an attempt to keep all eyes on her. It's not helpful. It's a-freaking-nnoying, and she needs to cut it out. But that's why we love to hate her, right?
Anyway, on with the auditions. Bailey is too Disney. Emma is too harsh. Natalie does pretty stinkin' well...we see a pleased smile from Bernie. Cassie S. does a good job...and then the judges put her on the spot: "Do you think you should go home?" She makes the brilliant move to say she thinks other girls should go before her. The judges ask for names, and she cops out by saying she wants to say a name but not on a personal level. Then the judges ask a question written down by the producers of the MTV reality show..."Do you think other girls weren't supporting you when you practiced in the house last night?" Of course, Cassie tells the truth and the girls backstage get pissed and coin the title of this episode: "Omigod, She Threw Us Under the Bus!"
Back to the auditions! Lindsay gives a high school theatre-level performance. Lauren starts every phrase of her song with an "H." Celina is too sexy. And scary. And mean. Seriously, what is she DOING here?!
The judges give Celina some criticism and then she cries to the camera about being talked down to and not being treated like a person. Um...welcome to show business?
The judges do their deliberating and then Haylie brings the girls out to tell them FOUR of them will go to the casting office today...dun dun dun. The List of girls who are safe for the week are Autumn, Bailey, Rhiannon, Natalie, and...Cassie!
WHA????!!!!
OMG, are all the girls pissed or WHAT! Celina, Lindsay, Emma, and Lauren all head to the casting office. But the best part is the "photo finish" moment when Cassie walks into the dressing room, revealing Bailey's reaction when she walks in. Total shock and horror...Priceless.
The judges do their best to deliver the lines written by the MTV producer in as natural a form as possible. "You're here today because your auditions didn't soar." "Your dream of becoming Elle Woods may be over."
After giving their criticisms to the girls, the judges tell Emma they want to see more colors. They tell Celina she has potential. They tell Lauren she is wasting their time. They tell Lindsay she's cut.
Lindsay has a great exiting speech to the camera. She is hopeful for a career on Broadway in the future. It's ok, Lindsay, I don't know why they sent you home and kept Celina either!
OK, that's it. I'm ready for the next installment! And I can't wait to see Bachelorette hometown visits this week! :)
Until then!
Lis
Friday, June 20, 2008
why i hate the paparazzi
What would you do in a situation like this?
Check out the looks on their faces.
Can you imagine going to a McDonald's drive-thru and having people taking pictures of you, standing in the way of your car, and yelling while you were trying to order food?
How do you not flip out and start running people over?
Here's another video that I think is VERY interesting.
Notice how defensive this woman is right from the get-go. I hate how these people try to justify what they are doing as if they're just doing "journalism" and not doing anything wrong.
I don't care if they call it "citizen journalism." This is NOT journalism. This is sensationalist crap. Unfortunately, the "real" news media is moving further and further into this sensationalist territory. So help me GOD, I will do everything in my power during my career to not follow that trend.
Check out the looks on their faces.
Can you imagine going to a McDonald's drive-thru and having people taking pictures of you, standing in the way of your car, and yelling while you were trying to order food?
How do you not flip out and start running people over?
Here's another video that I think is VERY interesting.
Notice how defensive this woman is right from the get-go. I hate how these people try to justify what they are doing as if they're just doing "journalism" and not doing anything wrong.
I don't care if they call it "citizen journalism." This is NOT journalism. This is sensationalist crap. Unfortunately, the "real" news media is moving further and further into this sensationalist territory. So help me GOD, I will do everything in my power during my career to not follow that trend.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
You say "tomato," and I say "salmonella"...
Christopher: Tomahto? What's that?
Jimmy: It's just how they say it.
Christopher: Okay, I'll give it a try.
~Monologue with Christopher Walken and Jimmy Fallon, SNL
I am at work, and I just got a Jimmy John's sandwich delivered to me. I go to bite into it and I'm like, "Wait, something is missing from this sandwich!"
The tomatoes.
You know how we're having that salmonella scare and no one is serving tomatoes on their food? That stinks.
I miss tomatoes. Let's call the whole thing off!
Jimmy: It's just how they say it.
Christopher: Okay, I'll give it a try.
~Monologue with Christopher Walken and Jimmy Fallon, SNL
I am at work, and I just got a Jimmy John's sandwich delivered to me. I go to bite into it and I'm like, "Wait, something is missing from this sandwich!"
The tomatoes.
You know how we're having that salmonella scare and no one is serving tomatoes on their food? That stinks.
I miss tomatoes. Let's call the whole thing off!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
reality recap
I didn't have time earlier to rant about my two current reality shows, so I'm gonna do that now before I have to go to work.
The Search for Elle Woods
Quick recap: We're down to 10 girls in the running for the role of Elle Woods on Broadway. I still can't get over how ludacris this concept is. But that's ok...that's entertainment!
Today it's all about the acting; the girls have a workshop with an acting coach and a reading partner, where they read a scene from the show between Emmett and Elle. They each get pointers. Just like in ANTM, the acting coach picks a "winner" who he thinks was the most impressive in the workshop. He picks Bailey, who is able to cast off her thick southern accent while reading the scene. Bailey gets to pick a friend (Lindsay) and they together go enjoy their reward, which is meeting and working with Nikki Snelson, one of the stars of the Broadway show. The girls also find out that Nikki will be doing the audition scene with them later for the judges, so Bailey and Lindsay have a serious leg-up on the rest of the girls.
First, let me say...I love Bailey. She looks the part, and she has a lot of the warmth and friendliness that the character of Elle Woods is known for. I think Lindsey is also perfect for the part, but needs to step up her game a little bit or she'll be cut.
In this episode, we get to see the loft where the gals are living together during the show. Of course, everything is pink, and there is a piano and a barre (like the girls are gonna do some rond des jambs before bed???). So the girls spend the rest of the day at their loft rehearsing the scene they have to have memorized for the elimination audition later.
At the auditions, the judges ask Nikki to purposely drop a line to see how the girls do in a "think on your feet" situation. This to me seems a little cruel, but whatever. Most of the girls don't get what's going on and we are treated to hours and hours of awkward silence. But a few of the girls go for it and save the scene. The one who, in my opinion, does the best job, is Autumn, who until that point I wasn't too sure about. But she really stepped it up and so now I'm rooting for her.
Seven of the girls are put on "the list" and told they are safe for this week. Three are left, and Hayley Duff (the host) tells them the judges were disappointed in them and wanted to see them in the CASTING OFFICE!!!! Dun dun dun!!!
The two Cassies and Lindsay go to the casting office, where each of the girls' portraits are hanging on the wall. A true BB fan, I know what this is! A memory wall! And I say, "I guarantee the little light turns off over the picture of the girl that gets cut!"
The judges tell Lindsay she needs to step up her game because she totally looks the part but isn't being very impressive. They tell Cassie S. that she needs to cut the crap and show them something genuine. This is soooo ture. Cassie S. told us in Episode One that she is from a performing family, and it's so evident. She's a total show dog; everything is spot-on, but way too refined. She's like a little stage robot. Ugh...she bugs me.
I don't even remember what they told Cassie O...I just knew she was going home. She doesn't look the part, or...anything. I think they said she had the best voice there but that was it, so they cut her and (I knew it!!) the little light over her headshot clicked off.
Next week, we see the girls working on the dress shop scene of the opening number, "Omigod!" and we see Cassie S. being a little stage snot...what fun! I have it in for Celina...I don't know for the life of me why she's on this show. So I'm probably gonna hope she goes home.
The Bachelorette
Deanna, what is WRONG with you??! She got rid of two of my favorite guys, Brian and Fred. I was especially upset to see Fred go, because he just kept showing what a terrific guy he is. I seriously may look him up in Chicago. No, just kidding. Maybe. Brian never really stood a chance, but at the same time, I don't think Deanna made any real effort to get to know him. I guess he's headed back to Texas to coach his high school football guys...sigh. And what the hell is Twilley still doing there??!
OK, here is the part I don't get. Yah, maybe she did the right thing by getting rid of Fred rather than leading him on, but what IS it about Twilley that is keeping him around? I would have definitely said goodbye to Twilley before letting Fred go! Also, poor Fred got the rug pulled from under him because he went on the two-on-one date with Robert and saw Deanna send Robert home, so he KNEW he was getting the rose and staying safe and in the house for another week. Then Deanna came back and totally put him in the Friend Zone. Aggh!!! But it was good in a way because Fred was sooo sweet and gracious about it, and he didn't cry or act awkward about it. And he didn't say anything bitter or stupid. You can tell, too, from what the other guys said about him that he was a great guy.
Robert, on the other hand, acted like a little girl, which is exactly what I am convinced he is, and wouldn't even look Deanna in the eye when she told him goodbye. Then he slouched all over the back seat of his limo and whined about everything, and then a tear rolled down his cheek and he TOTALLY turned his face to the camera to make sure they got that. Get a clue, guy. You asked to kiss her, and she gave you the dodge. You think you can sing, and you pop your collars, and your hair is so 90s. You give me d-chills. Goodbye!!!
Um, also I have mucho respect for Graham, who Deanna pulled aside during a group date for a make-out session and he was soooo not having it because he didn't just want to be one of a bunch...or whatever he said. Basically, she's all over him and he's like, "Chill, lady, I know I'm hot, but if you're just keeping me around as man candy, forget it." He seems like an actual real person to me. Why is he on this show?!
At least Jason is still there. Single-dad Jason is either going to the final two, or going home next week. He WILL make out with Deanna, and totally did when she came home from dumping Fred and Robert and he was the only guy left in the mansion. So I think she will keep him around to cuddle with and then decide at the final two that she doesn't want to be Ty's mommy just yet and send him home. OR she will continue to surprise all of us and get rid of the good guys, keeping her focus on Jeremy and Graham. I think Jeremy will be one of the final two, and I think Graham will as well if Jason doesn't make the cut next week.
OK, that's out of my system. Time to get ready for work! Until later!
The Search for Elle Woods
Quick recap: We're down to 10 girls in the running for the role of Elle Woods on Broadway. I still can't get over how ludacris this concept is. But that's ok...that's entertainment!
Today it's all about the acting; the girls have a workshop with an acting coach and a reading partner, where they read a scene from the show between Emmett and Elle. They each get pointers. Just like in ANTM, the acting coach picks a "winner" who he thinks was the most impressive in the workshop. He picks Bailey, who is able to cast off her thick southern accent while reading the scene. Bailey gets to pick a friend (Lindsay) and they together go enjoy their reward, which is meeting and working with Nikki Snelson, one of the stars of the Broadway show. The girls also find out that Nikki will be doing the audition scene with them later for the judges, so Bailey and Lindsay have a serious leg-up on the rest of the girls.
First, let me say...I love Bailey. She looks the part, and she has a lot of the warmth and friendliness that the character of Elle Woods is known for. I think Lindsey is also perfect for the part, but needs to step up her game a little bit or she'll be cut.
In this episode, we get to see the loft where the gals are living together during the show. Of course, everything is pink, and there is a piano and a barre (like the girls are gonna do some rond des jambs before bed???). So the girls spend the rest of the day at their loft rehearsing the scene they have to have memorized for the elimination audition later.
At the auditions, the judges ask Nikki to purposely drop a line to see how the girls do in a "think on your feet" situation. This to me seems a little cruel, but whatever. Most of the girls don't get what's going on and we are treated to hours and hours of awkward silence. But a few of the girls go for it and save the scene. The one who, in my opinion, does the best job, is Autumn, who until that point I wasn't too sure about. But she really stepped it up and so now I'm rooting for her.
Seven of the girls are put on "the list" and told they are safe for this week. Three are left, and Hayley Duff (the host) tells them the judges were disappointed in them and wanted to see them in the CASTING OFFICE!!!! Dun dun dun!!!
The two Cassies and Lindsay go to the casting office, where each of the girls' portraits are hanging on the wall. A true BB fan, I know what this is! A memory wall! And I say, "I guarantee the little light turns off over the picture of the girl that gets cut!"
The judges tell Lindsay she needs to step up her game because she totally looks the part but isn't being very impressive. They tell Cassie S. that she needs to cut the crap and show them something genuine. This is soooo ture. Cassie S. told us in Episode One that she is from a performing family, and it's so evident. She's a total show dog; everything is spot-on, but way too refined. She's like a little stage robot. Ugh...she bugs me.
I don't even remember what they told Cassie O...I just knew she was going home. She doesn't look the part, or...anything. I think they said she had the best voice there but that was it, so they cut her and (I knew it!!) the little light over her headshot clicked off.
Next week, we see the girls working on the dress shop scene of the opening number, "Omigod!" and we see Cassie S. being a little stage snot...what fun! I have it in for Celina...I don't know for the life of me why she's on this show. So I'm probably gonna hope she goes home.
The Bachelorette
Deanna, what is WRONG with you??! She got rid of two of my favorite guys, Brian and Fred. I was especially upset to see Fred go, because he just kept showing what a terrific guy he is. I seriously may look him up in Chicago. No, just kidding. Maybe. Brian never really stood a chance, but at the same time, I don't think Deanna made any real effort to get to know him. I guess he's headed back to Texas to coach his high school football guys...sigh. And what the hell is Twilley still doing there??!
OK, here is the part I don't get. Yah, maybe she did the right thing by getting rid of Fred rather than leading him on, but what IS it about Twilley that is keeping him around? I would have definitely said goodbye to Twilley before letting Fred go! Also, poor Fred got the rug pulled from under him because he went on the two-on-one date with Robert and saw Deanna send Robert home, so he KNEW he was getting the rose and staying safe and in the house for another week. Then Deanna came back and totally put him in the Friend Zone. Aggh!!! But it was good in a way because Fred was sooo sweet and gracious about it, and he didn't cry or act awkward about it. And he didn't say anything bitter or stupid. You can tell, too, from what the other guys said about him that he was a great guy.
Robert, on the other hand, acted like a little girl, which is exactly what I am convinced he is, and wouldn't even look Deanna in the eye when she told him goodbye. Then he slouched all over the back seat of his limo and whined about everything, and then a tear rolled down his cheek and he TOTALLY turned his face to the camera to make sure they got that. Get a clue, guy. You asked to kiss her, and she gave you the dodge. You think you can sing, and you pop your collars, and your hair is so 90s. You give me d-chills. Goodbye!!!
Um, also I have mucho respect for Graham, who Deanna pulled aside during a group date for a make-out session and he was soooo not having it because he didn't just want to be one of a bunch...or whatever he said. Basically, she's all over him and he's like, "Chill, lady, I know I'm hot, but if you're just keeping me around as man candy, forget it." He seems like an actual real person to me. Why is he on this show?!
At least Jason is still there. Single-dad Jason is either going to the final two, or going home next week. He WILL make out with Deanna, and totally did when she came home from dumping Fred and Robert and he was the only guy left in the mansion. So I think she will keep him around to cuddle with and then decide at the final two that she doesn't want to be Ty's mommy just yet and send him home. OR she will continue to surprise all of us and get rid of the good guys, keeping her focus on Jeremy and Graham. I think Jeremy will be one of the final two, and I think Graham will as well if Jason doesn't make the cut next week.
OK, that's out of my system. Time to get ready for work! Until later!
like riding a bike
"Just you and me, Johnny, like old times."
~Will Ferrell as Robert Goulet on the Conan O'Brian Show
This morning at work was a little crazy. Usually all of the production assistants are supposed to be there by 4:30. Well, two of the guys overslept, which is easy to do when you have to be at work that early in the morning. But one of the guys lives almost an hour away, so not only was he not answering when I called him (re: still asleep), but once we finally got ahold of him, it was 5:30 so he wouldn't be there until 3/4 of the way through the show. Poor guy; I don't even want to know how many missed calls were on his phone by the time he woke up. That is the worst feeling!
So, until he got there, we were short a person. It takes four production people to do a show: a director, an audio board runner, a graphics operator, and a floor director. Oh, and Kim was directing, because our usual director is on vacation this week. So imagine filling in for a week at something you haven't done a whole ton of times and realizing that two of your people were missing.
We went without graphics until one of the late-sleepers got there. Meanwhile, Kim put our engineer out on the floor. But then one of our cameras started flipping out and losing its reds, making everyone look like Smurfs, so I decided to take my time sheets out to the studio and floor direct so we could get the engineer back in the control room to diagnose the problem with Camera 2.
Just like old times.
It was funny putting the old portable headset on and picking up the prompter control. And then I started giving cues and everyone goes, "Oh my gosh, I forgot you used to do this!"
Yep. A year ago, I was a floor director! How's that for a landmark moment?
It was fun producing from the floor, but luckily were were hitting everything on time, or it would've been a lot harder. But I had direct communication with my talent and my director, which are pretty much all I need, although I couldn't answer the phone or take care of any of that stuff from the floor, and we had a satellite interview later in the show, so it would've been impossible to be on the floor and produce that. Luckily I was only out on the floor for the first half-hour, and then the production manager came in to hold down the fort--or floor...hahaha--until our last production guy got in.
But it was a fun little blast from the past for the morning! Just thought I would share that.
OK, time for some singin' and some dancin'.
~Will Ferrell as Robert Goulet on the Conan O'Brian Show
This morning at work was a little crazy. Usually all of the production assistants are supposed to be there by 4:30. Well, two of the guys overslept, which is easy to do when you have to be at work that early in the morning. But one of the guys lives almost an hour away, so not only was he not answering when I called him (re: still asleep), but once we finally got ahold of him, it was 5:30 so he wouldn't be there until 3/4 of the way through the show. Poor guy; I don't even want to know how many missed calls were on his phone by the time he woke up. That is the worst feeling!
So, until he got there, we were short a person. It takes four production people to do a show: a director, an audio board runner, a graphics operator, and a floor director. Oh, and Kim was directing, because our usual director is on vacation this week. So imagine filling in for a week at something you haven't done a whole ton of times and realizing that two of your people were missing.
We went without graphics until one of the late-sleepers got there. Meanwhile, Kim put our engineer out on the floor. But then one of our cameras started flipping out and losing its reds, making everyone look like Smurfs, so I decided to take my time sheets out to the studio and floor direct so we could get the engineer back in the control room to diagnose the problem with Camera 2.
Just like old times.
It was funny putting the old portable headset on and picking up the prompter control. And then I started giving cues and everyone goes, "Oh my gosh, I forgot you used to do this!"
Yep. A year ago, I was a floor director! How's that for a landmark moment?
It was fun producing from the floor, but luckily were were hitting everything on time, or it would've been a lot harder. But I had direct communication with my talent and my director, which are pretty much all I need, although I couldn't answer the phone or take care of any of that stuff from the floor, and we had a satellite interview later in the show, so it would've been impossible to be on the floor and produce that. Luckily I was only out on the floor for the first half-hour, and then the production manager came in to hold down the fort--or floor...hahaha--until our last production guy got in.
But it was a fun little blast from the past for the morning! Just thought I would share that.
OK, time for some singin' and some dancin'.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Email, Snail Mail, and the Music Man
What a great day! It started out quite rainy, which was a little bit of a bummer as I headed out the door to meet some of the HSM cast for lunch. But I decided to check my mail on my way out, and what should be in the mailbox but my new swimsuit! I didn't have time to try it on; I just took the package with me in the car.
Lunch was great. One of the members of our party just got back from a vacation in Mexico, so it was great to hear about his trip and catch up! We had a really awkward waitress, and for some reason, I always seemed to be the person who made matters worse, even though I was trying to make things better...everything I said as a joke or to ease the tension ended up sounding rude! Oh well...I left her a big tip, so hopefully that made things better.
One of the kids in our group is as obsessed with musicals as I am, and we ducked into the nearby Borders to see what shows they had on DVD. And I found the Disney made-for-TV version of "The Music Man," which I had always wanted to see but until now hadn't had the chance to. I'm watching it right now, and it's great fun. Probably not as good as the original, but equally as enjoyable for different reasons. An all-star cast, delightful choreography, and all the sweet, soft, squeaky-clean sets, costumes, and cast a Disney movie could ever conjure. I love Matthew Broderick, and his smooth, fast-talking Ferris Bueller really comes through in the character of Harold Hill. Kristen Chenoweth is pretty much my favorite Broadway person ever, and she brings a freshness and sass to the role of Marian Paroo that I have never seen. I always tend to get bored with the songs Marian sings in the show, because they are these super-soprano, old-fashioned warbly numbers, but they did a great job with the orchestral score on this, making it much more interesting. And Kristen has the unbelievable ability to combine her opera-trained pipes with her Broadway chops to kick these songs' butts. This was my favorite---
OK, going on...
So I got home after lunch and Borders and hopped on my laptop, and what did I find in my email's inbox but a note from the girls at Whatever Hollywood! I had left a little post on their blog saying I liked their stuff. It was so cool of them to write back! Anyway, soon the sun came shining out through the trees and I decided to try on my new suit and hit the pool. And now I'm comfy on the couch, laptop in my lap, watching "The Music Man."
And I just have to say...I LOVE musicals! They just make me feel so good inside!
OK, until later!
Lunch was great. One of the members of our party just got back from a vacation in Mexico, so it was great to hear about his trip and catch up! We had a really awkward waitress, and for some reason, I always seemed to be the person who made matters worse, even though I was trying to make things better...everything I said as a joke or to ease the tension ended up sounding rude! Oh well...I left her a big tip, so hopefully that made things better.
One of the kids in our group is as obsessed with musicals as I am, and we ducked into the nearby Borders to see what shows they had on DVD. And I found the Disney made-for-TV version of "The Music Man," which I had always wanted to see but until now hadn't had the chance to. I'm watching it right now, and it's great fun. Probably not as good as the original, but equally as enjoyable for different reasons. An all-star cast, delightful choreography, and all the sweet, soft, squeaky-clean sets, costumes, and cast a Disney movie could ever conjure. I love Matthew Broderick, and his smooth, fast-talking Ferris Bueller really comes through in the character of Harold Hill. Kristen Chenoweth is pretty much my favorite Broadway person ever, and she brings a freshness and sass to the role of Marian Paroo that I have never seen. I always tend to get bored with the songs Marian sings in the show, because they are these super-soprano, old-fashioned warbly numbers, but they did a great job with the orchestral score on this, making it much more interesting. And Kristen has the unbelievable ability to combine her opera-trained pipes with her Broadway chops to kick these songs' butts. This was my favorite---
OK, going on...
So I got home after lunch and Borders and hopped on my laptop, and what did I find in my email's inbox but a note from the girls at Whatever Hollywood! I had left a little post on their blog saying I liked their stuff. It was so cool of them to write back! Anyway, soon the sun came shining out through the trees and I decided to try on my new suit and hit the pool. And now I'm comfy on the couch, laptop in my lap, watching "The Music Man."
And I just have to say...I LOVE musicals! They just make me feel so good inside!
OK, until later!
Friday, June 6, 2008
just like oprah...but without all the free stuff.
It's my favorite things! Disclaimer: I totally copied this idea from Kels (check out her blog for her favorite things--it's a great compilation!) I tried to run the gammot of random interests, but it was hard to narrow things down and I'm sure that as soon as I finish this blog post, I'll think of a few things that I love and think, "How could I leave that out?!!" I even squeezed extra favorites in by highlighting them in bold even though there's not a picture for some of them. Like I said, hard to narrow it down.
Here we go!
First of all, I can't tell you have many times a day I Google things. I am truly a child of the Information Age. I even used Google Images to find most of these pictures!
Since the days of Even Stevens and Lizzie McGuire, I haven't ever quite outgrown the DC. I know it's cheesy and over-the-top, but it's also fun and very cute, and who doesn't love Disney Channel Original Movies? Plus, the fact that I check in on the Disney Channel from time to time is very helpful in babysitting situations, because I actually have stuff to talk about with the kids.
My job! I love my job so much that a lot of times I forget that I "go to work" every day...or I guess I should say, every night. And I know I have it better working in the mornings because the people are great and compared to the daytime/evening hours, it's a lot less stressful! The people I work with are all hilarious, sweet, and easy to get along with. I love my job!
Arrested Development is one of my newest TV addictions, and I am so glad msn.com has given me the ability to watch all the episodes online for free! I did buy the first season on DVD though, and I will probably buy the other two as well. This show is hysterically funny and because of it I am so in love with this guy...
...Jason Bateman. Except for in Juno, where he played a guy that was a total loser at life. But seriously, watch his interviews for Juno with Michael Cera...so cute!
Bateman and Cera played father and son in "Arrested Development" and were never actually on screen together in "Juno" but they got to do this press junket/EPK stuff together, which was great! Too bad Jason is already happily married with a kid (becaaaause I would have a better chance of marrying him then? Whoa, dream big!)
While we're talking about guys I love but can't marry because they're already taken (and famous), let's talk about this guy right here. Bill Hader has this quirky quality that I find totally appealing. Oh yeah, plus he's hilarious. You can find him on Saturday Night Live and in movies like Superbad, Hot Rod, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Every time I see one of these camera commercials, I want to marry this guy. Again, not a possibility. But Ashton Kutcher is so lovable not only because yeah, he's hot, but also because he's got his stuff together. A true Midwestern boy, he has a goofy guy-next-door comedic appeal that works for him despite his model looks. And he's successfully gone from TV sitcom acting to producing his own TV shows as well as remaining an in-demand leading man in several different genres of film. Plus, he does these cute commercials!
Now onto something I love and can have whenever I want: Baja chicken chalupas from Taco Bell. They are my absolute vice. I don't eat them often because I know they can't be good for you, but every once in a while, I treat myself to this delicious, spicy, carb-loaded bundle of delight. Yum!
Put this on just about anything and I will eat it. JIF extra-crunchy peanut butter is a staple in my home. That and toilet paper.
CAPAKIMAJU is my grandparents' cabin on Kjostad Lake in Orr, Minnesota. It is my favorite place in the world and I'm so excited to go this summer! I think that when I go to heaven it will be a lot like Kjostad Lake.
Ralph Lauren's Romance perfume is my favorite scent. I got my first (and only) bottle my freshman year of college and I am finally running out, so...I will probably be asking for it this Christmas!
This, to me, is the best TV show ever. And I'm pretty sure I mean that. The Office has figured out how to make me feel happy, uncomfortable, sad, mad, in love, and ready to pee my pants from laughing all at once. It also has the magical ability to cheer me up in emergency situations.
I love Waiting for Guffman and all of the other movies Christopher Guest has created with his hand-picked improv troupe extraordinaire. And another thing I love is that people from this group keep showing up in Arrested Development and The Office as well as in Judd Apatow movies...it's just fun to see where and when and how they will pop up next!
I am just tickeld by Teen Girl Squad and most other things from homestarrunner.com. Even the introduction to the website cracks me up! I always want to quote this stuff in conversation, but it can only be with a few people I know who have watched it enough times to know what I'm talking about. I've been enjoying this website since my senior year of high school in newspaper class.
Another website I enjoy visiting is www.dorm-life.com, the homepage for a web series in mockumentary format (similar to The Office or a Chris Guest movie) about a group of college kids living on the same floor. They recently ended the first season and I am already stoked for more!
And while we're talking about fun shows on the web, I also wanted to highlight Whatever Hollywood, who I've talked about in my blog before. I suggest checking them out because they'll be famous someday!
Any excuse I can find to eat with chopsticks, I will do it. I don't know why, but I love eating with chopsticks! I even have a couple "permanent" pairs that I wash with my silverware and use again!
I love Purdue. So much. I bleed gold and black. Go Boilers!!!
Oh, Reese Witherspoon. If there's any one celebrity I love no matter what, it's Reese. She is beautiful, funny, smart, and so talented. And she's 5'2" like me! And you can make fun of me all you want, but Legally Blonde will always be one of my favorite movies.
I am kind of obsessed with this girl. Which is kinda weird, I know, because she's like my age. But not only do I love Ashley Tisdale for being Sharpay in High School Musical, I also think she is a great role model for the kids in her audience. She doesn't drink, smoke, or go to the clubs, and therefore she stays out of all sorts of trouble that her peers have gotten into. And I just saw the trailer today for her new little made-for-TV movie that premieres on ABC Family July 13th. The same weekend as we open our production of High School Musical in which I play Sharpay! See, obsessed. I even bought her first recording album when it came out last summer.
Also obsessed...with these two. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are awesome not only because they are so funny, but because of all the other cool things they stand for. The first all-female cast of Weekend Update on SNL, they are also very good friends and, from what I can tell, really cool people. I love Tina's series "30 Rock" on NBC, and I love her adaptation of the book "Queen Bees and Wannabes" to its film version, "Mean Girls." Amy Poehler joins Reese and Ashley on my list of favorite blondes. I love and imitate to exhaustion her character "Kaitlin" from SNL, and I think that she and husband Will Arnett (Arrested Development, 30 Rock) have to be the cutest, funniest couple ever. And I loved "Baby Momma."
My parents always say if I went to New York City I would never come back. And they would be correct. I have never been, but when I do you can bet I won't leave before seeing at LEAST one show on Broadway. I love keeping up with what productions come to the Great White Way every season, and I even get excited for the Tony Awards every summer! I know it's dorky because I'm out here in Indiana, but I mean, whatever.
And finally, I love jeans. I think I wear them literally every day. I love them. I know, who doesn't? But really, what would we do without jeans?
OK, so those are some of my favorite things, in no particular order. And now I'm hungry for a chalupa so...I might have to go do something about that.
Until later!
lis
Here we go!
First of all, I can't tell you have many times a day I Google things. I am truly a child of the Information Age. I even used Google Images to find most of these pictures!
Since the days of Even Stevens and Lizzie McGuire, I haven't ever quite outgrown the DC. I know it's cheesy and over-the-top, but it's also fun and very cute, and who doesn't love Disney Channel Original Movies? Plus, the fact that I check in on the Disney Channel from time to time is very helpful in babysitting situations, because I actually have stuff to talk about with the kids.
My job! I love my job so much that a lot of times I forget that I "go to work" every day...or I guess I should say, every night. And I know I have it better working in the mornings because the people are great and compared to the daytime/evening hours, it's a lot less stressful! The people I work with are all hilarious, sweet, and easy to get along with. I love my job!
Arrested Development is one of my newest TV addictions, and I am so glad msn.com has given me the ability to watch all the episodes online for free! I did buy the first season on DVD though, and I will probably buy the other two as well. This show is hysterically funny and because of it I am so in love with this guy...
...Jason Bateman. Except for in Juno, where he played a guy that was a total loser at life. But seriously, watch his interviews for Juno with Michael Cera...so cute!
Bateman and Cera played father and son in "Arrested Development" and were never actually on screen together in "Juno" but they got to do this press junket/EPK stuff together, which was great! Too bad Jason is already happily married with a kid (becaaaause I would have a better chance of marrying him then? Whoa, dream big!)
While we're talking about guys I love but can't marry because they're already taken (and famous), let's talk about this guy right here. Bill Hader has this quirky quality that I find totally appealing. Oh yeah, plus he's hilarious. You can find him on Saturday Night Live and in movies like Superbad, Hot Rod, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Every time I see one of these camera commercials, I want to marry this guy. Again, not a possibility. But Ashton Kutcher is so lovable not only because yeah, he's hot, but also because he's got his stuff together. A true Midwestern boy, he has a goofy guy-next-door comedic appeal that works for him despite his model looks. And he's successfully gone from TV sitcom acting to producing his own TV shows as well as remaining an in-demand leading man in several different genres of film. Plus, he does these cute commercials!
Now onto something I love and can have whenever I want: Baja chicken chalupas from Taco Bell. They are my absolute vice. I don't eat them often because I know they can't be good for you, but every once in a while, I treat myself to this delicious, spicy, carb-loaded bundle of delight. Yum!
Put this on just about anything and I will eat it. JIF extra-crunchy peanut butter is a staple in my home. That and toilet paper.
CAPAKIMAJU is my grandparents' cabin on Kjostad Lake in Orr, Minnesota. It is my favorite place in the world and I'm so excited to go this summer! I think that when I go to heaven it will be a lot like Kjostad Lake.
Ralph Lauren's Romance perfume is my favorite scent. I got my first (and only) bottle my freshman year of college and I am finally running out, so...I will probably be asking for it this Christmas!
This, to me, is the best TV show ever. And I'm pretty sure I mean that. The Office has figured out how to make me feel happy, uncomfortable, sad, mad, in love, and ready to pee my pants from laughing all at once. It also has the magical ability to cheer me up in emergency situations.
I love Waiting for Guffman and all of the other movies Christopher Guest has created with his hand-picked improv troupe extraordinaire. And another thing I love is that people from this group keep showing up in Arrested Development and The Office as well as in Judd Apatow movies...it's just fun to see where and when and how they will pop up next!
I am just tickeld by Teen Girl Squad and most other things from homestarrunner.com. Even the introduction to the website cracks me up! I always want to quote this stuff in conversation, but it can only be with a few people I know who have watched it enough times to know what I'm talking about. I've been enjoying this website since my senior year of high school in newspaper class.
Another website I enjoy visiting is www.dorm-life.com, the homepage for a web series in mockumentary format (similar to The Office or a Chris Guest movie) about a group of college kids living on the same floor. They recently ended the first season and I am already stoked for more!
And while we're talking about fun shows on the web, I also wanted to highlight Whatever Hollywood, who I've talked about in my blog before. I suggest checking them out because they'll be famous someday!
Any excuse I can find to eat with chopsticks, I will do it. I don't know why, but I love eating with chopsticks! I even have a couple "permanent" pairs that I wash with my silverware and use again!
I love Purdue. So much. I bleed gold and black. Go Boilers!!!
Oh, Reese Witherspoon. If there's any one celebrity I love no matter what, it's Reese. She is beautiful, funny, smart, and so talented. And she's 5'2" like me! And you can make fun of me all you want, but Legally Blonde will always be one of my favorite movies.
I am kind of obsessed with this girl. Which is kinda weird, I know, because she's like my age. But not only do I love Ashley Tisdale for being Sharpay in High School Musical, I also think she is a great role model for the kids in her audience. She doesn't drink, smoke, or go to the clubs, and therefore she stays out of all sorts of trouble that her peers have gotten into. And I just saw the trailer today for her new little made-for-TV movie that premieres on ABC Family July 13th. The same weekend as we open our production of High School Musical in which I play Sharpay! See, obsessed. I even bought her first recording album when it came out last summer.
Also obsessed...with these two. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are awesome not only because they are so funny, but because of all the other cool things they stand for. The first all-female cast of Weekend Update on SNL, they are also very good friends and, from what I can tell, really cool people. I love Tina's series "30 Rock" on NBC, and I love her adaptation of the book "Queen Bees and Wannabes" to its film version, "Mean Girls." Amy Poehler joins Reese and Ashley on my list of favorite blondes. I love and imitate to exhaustion her character "Kaitlin" from SNL, and I think that she and husband Will Arnett (Arrested Development, 30 Rock) have to be the cutest, funniest couple ever. And I loved "Baby Momma."
My parents always say if I went to New York City I would never come back. And they would be correct. I have never been, but when I do you can bet I won't leave before seeing at LEAST one show on Broadway. I love keeping up with what productions come to the Great White Way every season, and I even get excited for the Tony Awards every summer! I know it's dorky because I'm out here in Indiana, but I mean, whatever.
And finally, I love jeans. I think I wear them literally every day. I love them. I know, who doesn't? But really, what would we do without jeans?
OK, so those are some of my favorite things, in no particular order. And now I'm hungry for a chalupa so...I might have to go do something about that.
Until later!
lis
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Producing!...
I've been browsing some of SNL's recent video clips, and I came across the opening monologue from Ashton Kutcher's latest visit to the show. I decided to post the video on here not only because A.K. is adorable, but because he can help me explain what it's like to be a producer for TV (keep in mind that while he produces entertainment TV, I produce news, which is waaay less interesting, and that Ashton makes like oodles more money than I probably ever will.)
That being said, here's Ashton.
Producing!...
I also came across this series of short video spots that they sprinkled throughout the show that A.K. hosted. It's creepy and dark, but oh so deliciously funny, and I can't get enough of it! The little song at the end is what kills me (no pun intended.)
OK, that's all I've got for now. I'm preparing for a "favorite things" post (thanks for the idea, Kels!) and a photo tour of the station where I work.
Until then!
That being said, here's Ashton.
Producing!...
I also came across this series of short video spots that they sprinkled throughout the show that A.K. hosted. It's creepy and dark, but oh so deliciously funny, and I can't get enough of it! The little song at the end is what kills me (no pun intended.)
OK, that's all I've got for now. I'm preparing for a "favorite things" post (thanks for the idea, Kels!) and a photo tour of the station where I work.
Until then!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
One Year Later...
I just thought I'd take a little personal inventory and reflect on where I am a year after starting this blog and, essentially, starting my life as a grown-up.
I recently re-signed the lease for my apartment. I've been living here by myself for almost a year (I moved in last July). When I moved, I was holding down two jobs: part-time production assistant at the station, and pretty much full-time waiting tables. Plus working in the nursery on Sundays, so techinically three jobs, although the nursery doesn't really count because that's only like 3.5 hours a week, if that. Now I am a full-time, contracted news producer. I still do the nursery thing.
I have paid off half of my car, which is exciting. So another year from now, I will be done making car payments! I decided that will be the time for me to get a dog. It seems like good timing; I will have freed up some financial obligations and be more capable of taking good care of a pet. I still want a miniature schnauzer.
I have ended two dating relationships since starting this blog, so now I am single. And I am really happy about that. I am at a time in my life when it's OK to be selfish and do my own thing, and that is exactly what I'm doing. A lot of friends my age are getting engaged and married, and some are already on their second kid, and I want all of that eventually, but not right now. A friend of mine at the station who gives me lots of good advice told me he doesn't see me getting married until my late twenties...28 or 29! It freaked me out to hear him say that, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized he's probably right. And to be honest, I don't have that "time is running out" feeling either. Actually, "finding" someone is about the last thing I want to even think about at this point in my life. The only someone I want to find is a cute puppy--in a year!
I've now been out of school for a year, which makes me feel old. But it IS awesome not to have to study or do homework or take quizzes ever again! And I've been working at a "real" job for about a year now, so that makes me feel a little more like a real grown-up. Also, a member of the HSM cast told me yesterday that I'm his first adult friend. Really? Oh yeah, I AM an adult! But I still feel like I'm just a kid a lot of the time.
And I still don't like coffee.
I recently re-signed the lease for my apartment. I've been living here by myself for almost a year (I moved in last July). When I moved, I was holding down two jobs: part-time production assistant at the station, and pretty much full-time waiting tables. Plus working in the nursery on Sundays, so techinically three jobs, although the nursery doesn't really count because that's only like 3.5 hours a week, if that. Now I am a full-time, contracted news producer. I still do the nursery thing.
I have paid off half of my car, which is exciting. So another year from now, I will be done making car payments! I decided that will be the time for me to get a dog. It seems like good timing; I will have freed up some financial obligations and be more capable of taking good care of a pet. I still want a miniature schnauzer.
I have ended two dating relationships since starting this blog, so now I am single. And I am really happy about that. I am at a time in my life when it's OK to be selfish and do my own thing, and that is exactly what I'm doing. A lot of friends my age are getting engaged and married, and some are already on their second kid, and I want all of that eventually, but not right now. A friend of mine at the station who gives me lots of good advice told me he doesn't see me getting married until my late twenties...28 or 29! It freaked me out to hear him say that, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized he's probably right. And to be honest, I don't have that "time is running out" feeling either. Actually, "finding" someone is about the last thing I want to even think about at this point in my life. The only someone I want to find is a cute puppy--in a year!
I've now been out of school for a year, which makes me feel old. But it IS awesome not to have to study or do homework or take quizzes ever again! And I've been working at a "real" job for about a year now, so that makes me feel a little more like a real grown-up. Also, a member of the HSM cast told me yesterday that I'm his first adult friend. Really? Oh yeah, I AM an adult! But I still feel like I'm just a kid a lot of the time.
And I still don't like coffee.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Happy Birthday, Blog!
My blog is one year old today! Happy birthday, Blog!!! :)
Things are going great. I'm having a blast with HSM rehearsals and making lots of friends. People there are so friendly, talented, and fun! I know this summer will go so fast.
I watched the premiere of MTV's "The Search for Elle Woods." That's right, they are casting the lead in a Broadway show using a cable reality TV show. I know. But it is entertaining, and I think it will be a good way to give people a closer look at musical theatre. But so many of the girls on that show are SOOOO full of themselves. Here are some things they actually SAID on camera:
"I would say on a scale of one to ten, my voice is...a ten." (PS, the girl who said this didn't make the top ten cut.)
"I love the sound of my voice. I love hearing it, I love how it feels...It's like heaven."
"I feel like I really zen with Elle Woods." (What???)
"I think Elle Woods and I are like twin sisters but with different hair color."
OK, so that should be a blast to watch, and I'm sure I'll learn a lot about auditioning and what it really takes to get on Broadway. Besides getting cast in a reality TV show.
Also, the Bachelorette had yet ANOTHER 2-hour episode last night...they are really moving these guys through! I only lost one of the guys I liked--Richard, the science teacher. But I think it was a good decision for Deanna to make; they were both talking a lot about feeling chemistry between them, and she obviously wasn't feeling it (by the way, did NOBODY at ABC pick up on that pun, with him being a science teacher??!! Get on the ball, people! I was expecting some cheesy line about "chemistry with the science teacher" but not once did I hear it!). It was so awkward when he was trying to find a way to plant a kiss on her and "brushed her hair out of her face" when her hair was in a ponytail and her bangs were back, which equals no hair actually IN her face...I almost couldn't watch, I felt so bad for him because it was so obviously awkward. Almost as awkward as when Deanna stopped their Cinderella pumpkin carriage in the middle of a street in LA to LITERLLY kick Richard to the curb. A taxi was there to pick him up, and I was like, "How do they do this, do they have like walkie-talkies so they know where they are and can call the cab to pick him up?" Creepy.
Single-dad Jason did much better on his one on one date. He finally told Deanna about his son Ty and she was very receptive to it. What I loved was how much he could be himself now that the most important thing in his life was out in the open. And what was so great was that a fantastic exchange followed--Jason asked Deanna about her mom, and she really opened up about the actual experience of losing her mom and how it's affected her personality. Then she said no one she dated had ever wanted to know about her mom. What? Whatever, as long as that means Jason gets to stay! The next great part was when they were both feeling the mutual attraction in the observatory and he asked her if he could kiss her. I LOVED that. I think there is something so sweet about a guy asking to kiss you because A) it's polite and respectful, B) it eliminates that uncomfortable, awkward, and potentially disastrous effect of trying to just "feel out" the right moment, and C) if a guy asks, it's a lot more likely (in my opinion) that the girl will be like, "Aww sure, what the hell?" because she doesn't feel pressured. Deanna does a really great thing later and gives Jason a certificate that says she's had a star named after Ty. Jason is so visibly touched that I almost cried watching this. And Deanna played it super-smart and sensitive here because this could go one of two ways--he doesn't make it to the end but has this great thing to take back to his son, OR they get married and have this great story to tell Ty about what happened when they started dating. Besides that they met on national television. Ok, anyway...
Fred got a rose when they went to see Ellen, which I was so pumped about! Ellen had some surprisingly mature and insightful advise for Deanna about the boys. I was so glad she kind of pulled Fred out of the background, because he seems like such a sweetie and I feel like he's getting lost in the shuffle, and he has yet to have any true one-on-one time with Deanna...there's always another guy around.
I was glad Brian made it back, because I haven't seen really any one-on-one interaction with him and Deanna yet either, but I like him from what I've seen.
I'm soooo glad that Mister Older and Wiser, Guy's Guy, Motivational Speaker Ron didn't get a rose this week. I love how he gave HIMSELF a motivational speech on his way back to his barber shop down by the river: "Deanna didn't reject me; she chose other guys." Also known as, she rejected you. He and Deanna has this talk before the rose ceremony that was like...
Deanna - We always talk in depth and serious and I want to have fun with you. So tell me something fun about you.
Ron - Where do I even begin? Everything about me is fun. Long pause, looooong, smug stare from Ron.
I would've been like. "Ok, so...go. Like what? What's fun? This isn't fun."
Also, Canada Paul went home. Frankly, I'm surprised he lasted as long as he did. Twilly continued to surprise America by winning another rose and living to tell another long-winded, pointless story. (I shouldn't make fun of him; my stories tend to be of the same quality.)
Jesse is growing on me more and more, and I think he's really playing it smart. He shows up dressed weird, acting wild and crazy, and we're all like "no way." But I guarantee ABC was like, "Deanna, if you keep this guy around for a week or two, we'll give you a helicopter ride." And then we find out that this guy is actually pretty cool and a little bit of a sweetie-pie, and that he looks like when the Beast turns into the Prince in Beauty and the Beast...surprisingly handsome. THEN he shows up this week in a very nice suit and tie. Now that we already love his personality, he's showing us that he can be a gentleman and dress to impress so we don't have to be embarrassed in public with him. (I'm using the royal "We" to include Deanna and all of us watching.) So, go Jesse!
OK, I think that is all I've got. I just thought my blog deserved a nice big blog entry on its birthday! I can't believe it's been a year!
Until later!
Things are going great. I'm having a blast with HSM rehearsals and making lots of friends. People there are so friendly, talented, and fun! I know this summer will go so fast.
I watched the premiere of MTV's "The Search for Elle Woods." That's right, they are casting the lead in a Broadway show using a cable reality TV show. I know. But it is entertaining, and I think it will be a good way to give people a closer look at musical theatre. But so many of the girls on that show are SOOOO full of themselves. Here are some things they actually SAID on camera:
"I would say on a scale of one to ten, my voice is...a ten." (PS, the girl who said this didn't make the top ten cut.)
"I love the sound of my voice. I love hearing it, I love how it feels...It's like heaven."
"I feel like I really zen with Elle Woods." (What???)
"I think Elle Woods and I are like twin sisters but with different hair color."
OK, so that should be a blast to watch, and I'm sure I'll learn a lot about auditioning and what it really takes to get on Broadway. Besides getting cast in a reality TV show.
Also, the Bachelorette had yet ANOTHER 2-hour episode last night...they are really moving these guys through! I only lost one of the guys I liked--Richard, the science teacher. But I think it was a good decision for Deanna to make; they were both talking a lot about feeling chemistry between them, and she obviously wasn't feeling it (by the way, did NOBODY at ABC pick up on that pun, with him being a science teacher??!! Get on the ball, people! I was expecting some cheesy line about "chemistry with the science teacher" but not once did I hear it!). It was so awkward when he was trying to find a way to plant a kiss on her and "brushed her hair out of her face" when her hair was in a ponytail and her bangs were back, which equals no hair actually IN her face...I almost couldn't watch, I felt so bad for him because it was so obviously awkward. Almost as awkward as when Deanna stopped their Cinderella pumpkin carriage in the middle of a street in LA to LITERLLY kick Richard to the curb. A taxi was there to pick him up, and I was like, "How do they do this, do they have like walkie-talkies so they know where they are and can call the cab to pick him up?" Creepy.
Single-dad Jason did much better on his one on one date. He finally told Deanna about his son Ty and she was very receptive to it. What I loved was how much he could be himself now that the most important thing in his life was out in the open. And what was so great was that a fantastic exchange followed--Jason asked Deanna about her mom, and she really opened up about the actual experience of losing her mom and how it's affected her personality. Then she said no one she dated had ever wanted to know about her mom. What? Whatever, as long as that means Jason gets to stay! The next great part was when they were both feeling the mutual attraction in the observatory and he asked her if he could kiss her. I LOVED that. I think there is something so sweet about a guy asking to kiss you because A) it's polite and respectful, B) it eliminates that uncomfortable, awkward, and potentially disastrous effect of trying to just "feel out" the right moment, and C) if a guy asks, it's a lot more likely (in my opinion) that the girl will be like, "Aww sure, what the hell?" because she doesn't feel pressured. Deanna does a really great thing later and gives Jason a certificate that says she's had a star named after Ty. Jason is so visibly touched that I almost cried watching this. And Deanna played it super-smart and sensitive here because this could go one of two ways--he doesn't make it to the end but has this great thing to take back to his son, OR they get married and have this great story to tell Ty about what happened when they started dating. Besides that they met on national television. Ok, anyway...
Fred got a rose when they went to see Ellen, which I was so pumped about! Ellen had some surprisingly mature and insightful advise for Deanna about the boys. I was so glad she kind of pulled Fred out of the background, because he seems like such a sweetie and I feel like he's getting lost in the shuffle, and he has yet to have any true one-on-one time with Deanna...there's always another guy around.
I was glad Brian made it back, because I haven't seen really any one-on-one interaction with him and Deanna yet either, but I like him from what I've seen.
I'm soooo glad that Mister Older and Wiser, Guy's Guy, Motivational Speaker Ron didn't get a rose this week. I love how he gave HIMSELF a motivational speech on his way back to his barber shop down by the river: "Deanna didn't reject me; she chose other guys." Also known as, she rejected you. He and Deanna has this talk before the rose ceremony that was like...
Deanna - We always talk in depth and serious and I want to have fun with you. So tell me something fun about you.
Ron - Where do I even begin? Everything about me is fun. Long pause, looooong, smug stare from Ron.
I would've been like. "Ok, so...go. Like what? What's fun? This isn't fun."
Also, Canada Paul went home. Frankly, I'm surprised he lasted as long as he did. Twilly continued to surprise America by winning another rose and living to tell another long-winded, pointless story. (I shouldn't make fun of him; my stories tend to be of the same quality.)
Jesse is growing on me more and more, and I think he's really playing it smart. He shows up dressed weird, acting wild and crazy, and we're all like "no way." But I guarantee ABC was like, "Deanna, if you keep this guy around for a week or two, we'll give you a helicopter ride." And then we find out that this guy is actually pretty cool and a little bit of a sweetie-pie, and that he looks like when the Beast turns into the Prince in Beauty and the Beast...surprisingly handsome. THEN he shows up this week in a very nice suit and tie. Now that we already love his personality, he's showing us that he can be a gentleman and dress to impress so we don't have to be embarrassed in public with him. (I'm using the royal "We" to include Deanna and all of us watching.) So, go Jesse!
OK, I think that is all I've got. I just thought my blog deserved a nice big blog entry on its birthday! I can't believe it's been a year!
Until later!
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