Academy Award Season Again!

Over the last few years, I have always made predictions about Oscar winners on this blog. I usually make a point to watch as many potential nominees as I can so I can have a general idea of the quality of work out there. This year I did not do such a good job of keeping up on nominated films, so I don't think I will venture my predictions and picks like usual. 

First, I want to to respond to some of the most common reactions I get whenever I talk to people about the Oscars or Golden Globes (I LOVE awards shows). I often hear, "They always pick movies no one has seen", or, "None of the movies I liked this year were nominated." I understand this sentiment. It's difficult to connect to the movies featured in these award shows because they aren't the box office hits that are featured in all the theaters. In fact, sometimes, only small, independent theaters will show them. But I do not believe that this fact discredits these movies at all. The film industry (like most things) is all about money. That is why every year we see more and more sequels or comic book movies or books stretched out into three parts. The movie producers want a sure thing.  They keep making movies based on models that have worked in the past. I believe though, that we need to take more risks. No risk, no reward. That doesn't mean the box office hits aren't good, but it also doesn't mean movies that didn't top the charts are bad; they just aren't supported by production teams as much.

This year at the Golden Globes, George Clooney won the Lifetime Achievement Award. In his speech, he briefly addressed this issue, urging viewers to support the little movies because the big, popular productions "don't need any more help." Since I have made it my goal to watch more potentially nominated films, I can tell you I have seen much more moving, humanizing films. Films not about car stunts and battles and dragons, but about life. Real people and events. Real conditions. And I have seen beautiful artistic skills. It really has made me love movies.

BUT...there is a flip side. We cannot judge movies based on the awards they win. Because a lot of beautiful, fantastic, amazing movies don't win any awards at all. Sometimes the Academy is biased or influenced by campaigns. Sometimes a year was so good that 50 movies could have won Best Picture. Sometimes one particular facet of a movie was amazing, but the rest wasn't good enough for critics/voters to consider the movie worthwhile at all. Sometimes it just takes the right movie at the right moment for the right person to be perfect. As Clooney said in his speech, "I don't remember how many awards Lauren Bacall won. I remember her saying 'Just put your lips together and blow.' And I have no idea what kind of hardware Robin Williams took home, but I sure remember, 'Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.'"

As for the insights I do have about this year's awards... 

1. I thought The Imitation Game was one of the most extraordinary movies I have seen in a long time and I learned a lot of history that I didn't know because of it. I recommend it fully. 

2. I thought Birman was artistically beautiful (the whole movie looks like one shot with no fade in or fade out-crazy!) and had great acting, but I honestly did not get the ending at all. If you did, please explain it. 

3. I wish I liked American Sniper more, but I didn't get into it at all. 

4. I did see three of the animated nominees: The Boxtrolls, Big Hero 6, and How to Train Your Dragon 2. I liked HTTYD2 the best of the three, although Baymax was so funny. 

5. Maleficent brought to life all of my fantasies of a fairy world I had as a child. It is nominated for costume design, though, and that wasn't a huge stand-out for me. Same problem for Interstellar. It is nominated for music, which was probably my least favorite part of that movie. But I could see it winning for Production Design or Visual Effects.

6. "Everything is Awesome" from the LEGO movie was nominated, which is basically the most addicting song ever. But "Glory" from Selma is sure to win. 

7. We do see big box office hits in the visual effects category: Captain America 2, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Dawn of Planet of the Apes, and Interstellar. I think I'll go for Interstellar on that one. 

I might go see a few more nominees before the 22nd if I can. The Ross Theatre on campus is featuring all the short film nominees this week. I went to that last year and it was great. If you have any movie recommendations that are available for viewing now, please feel free to comment. Have I mentioned I love movies? 

Let's Ditch This "Now or Never" Mentality

It's official. We now live in the YOLO generation. There are a plethora of songs about "living like we're dying." Parents and grandparents urge us to have fun while we are young. Professors urge us to take as many opportunities as possible while we're in college. I just saw a post on Pinterest yesterday that said "One day you will wake up and there won't be any more time to do the things you've always wanted." Live in the moment. Carpe diem. Now or never.

And I'm sick of it.

I am very susceptible to this line of thinking. I tend to constantly worry about making each moment count. I try to jump on every opportunity presented because it might be my only chance. Being wrapped up in what I might regret missing is actually ruining my present instead of enhancing it. In some instances, my YOLO state of mind has brought great joy to my life. It helped me to study abroad and go to concerts. I met some great friends when I said "Yes" to an offer. I discovered new places while geocaching and new food by just walking in a new place. But I have also overburdened myself on many occasions with too many things. Think the movie Yes, Man. 

But here's the thing I need to tell myself. And all of you. We can't take a job or buy a house or go on a trip or do anything because it might be our last opportunity to do so. It not "now or never." It's "this opportunity or another one." This week one of my professors said to me. "Never ever make a decision out of fear. Whenever possible, make it out of joy." She told me that she had job offers in Florida and California, but chose to come to UNL because her visit to Nebraska made her feel good.

The other day on the phone with my mom, I heard myself say "I'm afraid" way too many times. "I'm afraid I won't be happy if I make the wrong choice now." "I'm afraid if I don't move somewhere new now, I never will." "I'm afraid I chose the wrong major altogether." "I'm afraid I can't make a difference here." I think this is a common sentiment. Friends have told me they are afraid if they can't make a relationship work now, they may never find someone. Others have told me they are afraid if they don't go back to school now, they'll never get another degree. Our society is always worried we'll be too late to have kids or travel the word or run a marathon.

Sometimes, though, the best things come not by seizing the moment, but by having a little bit of patience. In a society of immediate satisfaction, this is difficult to bear. Let's live in today...but also remember there is always tomorrow.

Things That Make Me Happy

I have been incredibly stressed lately. This isn't unusual for me, as I tend to fret about little things too much, but with a new environment in student teaching, building resumés, and thinking about entering the "real world", the stress level is really high. It affects my health (back problems), sleep, and energy at all times. So I have to remind myself of things that make me happy and do as many of them as possible. That's what this blog is for.

What Makes Me Happy?

1. Writing. Even if it's a stupid list on my blog. Writing always makes me feel better about my day.

2. Funny movies. I rented 22 Jump Street and How to Train Your Dragon 2 last night and couldn't stop smiling.

3. Hot showers.

4. Singing and/or dancing along to the radio.

5. A good snuggle with a dog or cat.

6. The first sip of a bottle of Mountain Dew.

7. Getting all dressed up to go out for dinner or drinks.

8. Buying a new piece or clothing or accessory.

9. My new bed.

10. Laughing. About anything.

11. Starting a new book.

12. Diving into a swimming pool (I can't remember the last time I was able to do this.)

13. Getting something that isn't a bill in the mail.

14. Warm weather. Or at least the sun.

15. Talking to my mom on the phone.

16. Checking something off my to-do list (especially if it has been on there for weeks.)

17. Getting a massage.

18. Getting a compliment.

Thinking happy thoughts is sometimes half the battle. And I have thought of 18 of them. Have a wonderful Sunday.

Happy Moments of 2014

As we move into a new year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the year gone by. When I came home for Christmas break this year, I asked my dad if he wanted me to make a Christmas/New Year card to send to friends and family. His response was, "Nothing good happened this year to celebrate. Let's just forget it." I understand this sentiment. I really do. After losing a sister and a father, it's hard to imagine cheerful moments. But I don't want to remember 2014 as "that awful year where nothing good happened." So here are my happy moments of 2014.

*Brigitte came and visited me in Lincoln and we went to The Lego Movie. We laughed more than any of the kids in the theatre.

*The Olympics. Oh how I loved the Olympics. And now I must wait so long...

Isn't he lovely?

*My cousin Alyssa's  birthday party. She performed Let It Go for us and did this to Josh.


















*Some of my best friends graduated this year. So proud of all of them.

*I danced more than I've ever danced before at Ashley's wedding.




*I followed my dream and made a trip by myself across the ocean to study in Stirling, Scotland.





*I went kayaking and paddle boarding in the ocean! And ziplining. It was so invigorating.

They were hunting toads.

*My mom got a new puppy that slobbers all over my face every time I walk in the door. And he brightens our whole house.






*I read some great books. And that's always happy for me.












*I gained another new cousin this year, Austin Jack Siel. And look how he made Grandpa smile :)

*I screamed my lungs out at Husker football games...and had satisfying meals at Tico's after the games.

My cooperating teacher is sneaky and took this the 1st day we taught.
You can tell how engaged the students are haha.  

*I created my own lessons and taught my first class of students. And found out middle school kids aren't that bad.



*I had wonderful conversations around a fire in the backyard of my grandparent's home with family. I remembered how wonderful my family really is and appreciated them more when we were together in some sad times.




*I watched many scary movies and went to a haunted house/field with my horror-loving friends.

*I was part of a Broomball team...and didn't kill myself doing it.






*Some wonderful evening with appetizers and drinks at the Starlite Lounge with amazing friends.

*These Christmas outfits we made our dogs wear.

Look how he's grown!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you find joy in 2015!

Why The Big Bang Theory and That 70's Show are Basically the Same Show

Note: If you haven't watched these two series, this blog post will make no sense. Sorry!

Since I've been in college, I have attempted to watch an entire season of a television show on Netflix each semester. I've watched Scrubs, Law and Order: SVU, Lost Girl, and Longmire...just to name a few. This semester, I decided on That 70's Show. I had seen many episodes and knew I liked it plus the episodes are only 30 minutes and don't require much thinking. I just finished the final episode (of the 7th season-I didn't attempt to watch the train wreck of an 8th without most of the characters). Over the semester, I have made an interesting observation. I also watch The Big Bang Theory fairly regularly. And I see so many similarities between the two shows.

You wouldn't think  teenagers getting high and scientists would be similar characters. But here's the set-up. Both shows have four male best friends. First is the stable one (Eric or Leonard). Everyone gathers at his house and makes fun of him, even though he has the least absurd actions and reactions. He is somehow dating a girl way out of his league that lives next door. That's right. These beautiful girls both live right next door. The series revolves around the tumultuous relationship between these two characters.

Speaking of the girlfriend character (Donna or Penny), they are both made out to be more athletic while their boyfriend is nerdy (which sometimes irritates them). They both explain sports to their partners.

Now there is the most important character in both shows in my opinion: the roommate. Hyde and Sheldon are VERY different characters. The real similarity here is that neither show could work without this character. They provide a lot of the laughs and instigate a lot of the action. They are a constant presence and provide contrast for their roommate. They also both don't care at all what the others think of them. The other characters say they hate this, but they really love him.

Then there are the secondary friends. These two friends come to visit. One is a womanizer-or at least attempts to be- (Kelso and Howard) and the other is foreign (Fez and Raj). These two friends are best friends with one another. The first is always hitting on girls, to varying success. Kelso is really stupid, but Howard has no sense of social norms so both have to have things explained to them often. The foreign friend provides laughs on the basis of misunderstandings too, but on a cultural basis. He is also the most feminine of the guys. This character almost never has a girlfriend and this seems to be the main conflict in his life.

Note that Jackie is the only main character without a real counterpart, but The Big Bang Theory has added two female characters in their later seasons to make up for this discontinuance. There are no parents in BBT, but parents do provide conflicts at some points (Sheldon, Leonard, and Howard all have moms that drive them crazy and Raj's parents come in on Skype for a few episodes.)

As for story-lines, at some point one of the four main guys has a relationship with one of the other friend's sisters. Both have the main couple at odds about marriage--the girl isn't ready. Both have the womanizer character go off to a training for work in which they are the rookie (NASA space training and police academy). Hopefully, Big Bang Theory doesn't follow suit and die at the 8th season.

So, I guess the moral of this blog post is: Write a script about four best friends and a hot girl from next door, and you might make millions.

A Roadmap from Home to Work

Don't you hate the commute to work? People always ask.

But it's not too bad. Not too hard. If you follow this map.

Turn left, and left, and left again to hit the interstate

Where trucks drive soooo slow,

especially when you're running late.

Take the loop on Cornhusker.

Warning: There's construction now,

but if you wave to the workers on the roadside

sometimes they wave back.

You'll drive by McDonald's, Runza, Amigo's, Burger King, KFC, Raising Cane's...

Why am I always hungry???

You'll gain a lane on your right, so try to merge that way.

STOP.

There's a train. Guarantee it.

So sit there and watch cars inch closer and closer to the tracks in front of you,

as if proximity will make the train move faster.

But after this the route gets scenic

with trees and homes with brick and fences.

I wouldn't follow the arrows on 48th

that suggest a used furniture store has been running for 30 years

in the garage behind a yellow house.

Instead drive by Don Bob's Plumbing on your right

and then the house with mannequins in the window.

Yeah, they freak me out too.

On your right a husky might be playing in the snow,

while his Brittany friend watches from the back step.

Soon you'll get to meet the house that loves all holidays

including Thanksgiving with a giant inflatable turkey

as well as the "museum yard" with displays of

motocycles, boats, and ATVs right there on the grass.

Look out for the community center

where bouncy castles on summer days

turn to Trunk or Treat

and Christmas food drives.

You're getting close when you see the football field,

high up on its throne.

Right on Cotner, Left on Huntington.

Bike racks, street parking, and a lone yellow school bus

mark your destination.


(This was just a random thing I was thinking about on my drive to work the other day and thought I'd write it down. Just for fun. Thanks for reading.)

Different Kinds of Patience

It is said that patience is a virtue. But what kind of patience?  You can be patient when waiting for the right job to come along or patient when waiting for the bus. You can be patient with a dog that is disobedient or patient with someone who talks too much. You can have patience to go over your paper five times before turning it in or patience to explain something five times to a student. You can have patience when recovering from a surgery or patience with a screaming baby. It's really a very broad term with so many applications. 

From a personal standpoint, my patience has a lot to do with age for some reason. I have no patience with young children. Crying, whining, fighting just once can put me over the edge. Even if it's kids I know well, I can't be patient with them at all and just grow incredibly frustrated. But for some reason, when it's older people like a friend or grandparent, I have no problem with any of these same things. Friends can fight and I can patiently mediate the situation. Someone can cry or whine about something and I can listen for hours. My grandmas can make me move the glasses that aren't in the exact right spot or make me drive her all around town and I will calmly do these things without agitation at all. And I have no idea why this is. I know many people that are the complete opposite and can deal with much more from children than adults.

This is just something I've been musing over this week and thought I'd share my thoughts. What is patience? Why do I have more in some situations than others? This is what my crazy mind does during the day haha.