CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

What's Up, Friday?

I'm getting fidgety and you all know what happens when I get fidgety. I start designing things. You may very well see a new WUF logo next week. 

 

1. Last night I saw Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. I really enjoyed it! I've been reading the series. The plot has a weird twist (which I dare not spoil - however if you've read it, you know exactly what I mean) that is just as awkward in the movie as it is in the book, but I am sorta glad they kept it in cause it's a big part of what's to come. In any case, I suspect there will not be a second movie (the first one isn't raking it in like a Twilight flick) and I'm sad about that. But in related news, we got a great little featurette for Divergent this week and I cannot wait for that movie (or the third book to come out in October):

 

2. And speaking of young adult fiction, I don't know when I turned into such a YA aficionado, but I am currently reading Ender's Game and loving it. It's one of Chris' faves (she's the Mastermind behind What I Run Into) so I was motivated to give it a whirl -- I can't wait for that movie either.

3. Sarah Horn. OH. MY. GOD. Have you read about this? As part of her concert, Kristin Chenoweth seeks out an audience member to duet with her on Wicked's "For Good" and this past Friday night, her audience scouts found a lovely young lady named Sarah Horn who told them she knew the song well and that she was a voice teacher. As someone who studied with several voice teachers, let me assure you, it does not mean they can sing this well. So what manifested on stage is really, truly breathtaking and it surely helps that Kristin is so quick-witted. Now, Sarah has been profiled and interviewed by several news outlets including E! and the LA Times and she's been invited back to perform on her own at the Hollywood Bowl. It just blows me away. I love her. In moments like this I am simultaneously reminded why I love to sing and regretful I did not pursue it.

 

4. Effing JAMES SPADER has been announced as "Ultron" in The Avengers sequel and I cannot even begin to explain my excitement about this to you. I love him. He is so talented (have you seen Secretary? Less Than Zero? He was easily my favorite part of Lincoln and I am a die hard Boston Legal fan. I am not an Office watcher but have to believe he killed it).In any case, he's amazing and I am excited. In case you can't tell. (And watch this clip -- this is why he won an Emmy for playing Alan Shore.)

P.S. If you read Vanity Fair, you are undoubtedly familiar with their infamous group photo shoots. How much do we need a Marvel movies family photo, I ask you? SO MUCH WANT. 

5. As Data is my favorite Star Trek TNG character, when I discovered this .gif, I basically died. As the kiddies now say, IT IS EVERYTHING.

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It's a three-day weekend, everybody. Make it a good one. Involve mimosas. 

 

Made Up Stories and Memories

At the top of each month, my roommate and I switch parking spaces. Our apartment only comes with one space in the building's private lot so during alternating months, I park out front, on the street. It's not a big deal -- the neighborhood is relatively safe and I almost never have trouble finding space... but I digress. 

On some mornings, when I'm parked on the street, I often spot a man walking across the street. He's determined. He's in shorts, a t-shirt and tennis shoes, always carrying a grocery bag in his arms and always walking painfully slow -- and when I say painfully, I mean it to say he actually looks like he's in pain. 

I always wonder where he's going with such determination, despite how much pain he appears to be in. I admire him in a way, I guess. And I feel almost disappointed because I will probably never know his story. In my mind, I've kind of conjured a few ideas. I believe he lives somewhere in the neighborhood across from my building. Perhaps in one of the older-but-nice apartment buildings that line the south side of my boulevard. And every morning, I imagine he wakes up and gets dressed. He kisses his wife of fifty years goodbye (she may still be asleep but smiles when he kisses her) and takes a grocery bag of snacks on the way out. I imagine he spends some time at a nearby park, maybe doing something old fashioned like feeding the pigeons. Perhaps he just sits there, eating whatever is in his bag, and thinks about life. I don't really know, of course. Like I said, I conjure.

When I lived in New York, my best friend and I would take snacks or a baseball to toss to the park. Eventually all roads ended with us sitting side by side, picking out strangers, and making up their life stories. When I moved back to Souther California, we tried to replicate the tradition by sending each other photos of strangers we'd find online but it kind of looses its pizzaz on a computer. We couldn't laugh together that way.

Maybe I find the old man more endearing because he stirs up that memory. 

A Stroke of Brilliance

Not so long ago (no really, it was this morning) on AIM (yep, I am still using that):

Me: I'm sure I'm crazier than anyone

Her: We should have a crazy off. First prize gets their own straight jacket.

Me: Oh, I just want a padded room… I've never understood why a room that is basically floor to ceiling mattresses is a bad thing, BTW.

Her: Except that they call it a cell and not a room.

Me: Whatever – semantics! No one will interrupt my sleep there.

Me: They should open a resort with padded cells

Her: hahahahah

Her: I just imagine the pads smell

 

To which I replied:

Look, I'm not totally without sense. I know it's probably not okay to make jokes about psychiatric facilities and lord knows I am a big supporter of mental health issues, but let's be honest; there is something deeply appealing about laying out in a room that is padded floor-to-ceiling. They bring you your meals and no one can email, text or call you. 

I'm just saying we could all use a little metaphorical padded cell in our lives, people. ;) 

A Musical Moment

So it's widely known among, well, those who know me, that I have really eclectic taste in music. And that my love of saccharine pop music is a little off the charts. 

Oh, I am also a boy band fanatic in case you had not amassed as much from my previous posts about the NSync reunion.

Sometimes it's a struggle. Sometimes I hate everything that's out there and find myself listening to show tunes ad nauseam for lack of passion about anything else. 

But I find lately, there is just a ton of music I'm loving. I must give Spotify a little credit for that as well as my current job -- if I were still working in film and TV I'm not sure I'd be so actively seeking out good music. Who knows...

Here's my current playlist of favorites. It's pretty wacky. Not everything here is current, mind you (Jackson Browne!), and it's pretty likely you'll find a pop song (One Direction!) come right before some emo indie ballad. Generally I keep most of my playlists up tempo (Fall Out Boy - I'm not ashamed*) but you will find the occasional sad sap ballad on here. 

* - Ok, I'm a little ashamed.

• Reunited and it feels so gooooood....
• Another New Recurring Series for the Blog
• A Blog About Drunk Bitches and Other Things at Concerts 

Quote of the Day - On Friendship

Everyone's got their own definition, right? Why should this one be discounted?

Also, I'm a ginormous nerd. 

Reunited and it feels so goooood.....

Last night, I was ten years younger. IT. WAS. GLORIOUS.

There's a lot of hate out there from people who are all "It was so short! OMG!" and "Lance totes can't dance, guys."

Well, whatever. I smiled like an idiot (and seriously, the dogs were judging) the WHOLE TIME, they danced, they sang, Chris' trapdoor didn't work, and it was perfect for me. 

Buzzfeed captured my absolute favorite moment:

For the whole article, though: http://www.buzzfeed.com/mattbellassai/the-best-seconds-of-the-110-second-nsync-reunion

And to relive the magic, as I have about 110 times today: http://tvline.com/2013/08/25/nsync-reunion-mtv-vma-2013-video/

Sigh. Come back soon, guys. 

Backstage shot VMAs pic.twitter.com/YfZb3Y5tVi

— *NSYNC (@NSYNC) August 26, 2013

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine...."

Well Melissa, you just made my week nominating me for the "Sunshine Award!" So very nice of you and thank you. 

It's probably worth mentioning that my mom calls me "Sunshine" sometimes which is both a throwback to a song I used to sing with my Grandma and a bit ironic because I'm not really  a sunshiney person (I know, you're shocked - I'll hang tight while you let that sink in). 

I generally consider myself deeply cynical, and sarcastic to a fault, so it's flattering that someone considers me worth of such a title. 

But as always, great power comes with great responsbility. This award has rules:

1. Include the Award Logo in your blog post (Check.)
2. Link to the person who nominated you (Check.)
3. Answer 10 questions about yourself (Getting to that....)
4. Nominate 10 bloggers and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog (Can I just tweet them? I think I'll just tweet them.)

Melissa, you tough inquisitor, here are my responses to your questions:

1.  How old would you be if you could be any age and why? 

Purely vapid - I'd go back to whatever part of whatever year it was in my early 20s that I was skinny and healthy.

2.  What is something that you know how to do differently than others?

I guess this is asking about a hidden talent? I guess.... I mean, I can sing. Does that count? I suppose everyone can sing but not everyone should. But I sing very well. 

Also, I seem to be pretty top notch at googling things. I don't know why that is -- maybe y'all are lazy or I just have a brain wired for searching, but I can always find things on Google other people can't. 

3.  What would you do differently if you/no one else judged you (or wasn’t illegal)?

I'd probably dress differently. I don't know. 

4.  What song do you love that most people would be shocked to know?

I don't think anyone would be shocked in me liking anything since my taste in music is notoriously diverse. But I guess people who don't know me well might be surprised to know I love country music. In fact I am currently listening to "That's my Kind of Night" by Luke Bryan. 

5.  What is your favorite meal?

Brunch.

6.  What is the biggest personal change you’ve ever made?

I was strong and motivated once -- I was practically thin. 

7.  What is your favorite movie?

The Ususal Suspects, among others. 

8.  What is something you wish everyone knew about you?

I'm not as bitchy as some people think I am. I'm just honest. Also, I suspect people often think I'm a name-dropper. I make no apologies for that because I love what I do and the opportunities that result from doing it. And to be quite candid, it all just comes from insecurity and a need for approval and validation. I'm not trying to be arrogant. 

9.  Who is your celebrity crush?

Matthew Bomer. And I have a whole Pinterest Board dedicated to my celeb crushes. 

10.  What’s your mantra/life philosophy/favorite quote?

"It gets better."

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Now I must nominate ten bloggers and post my ten questions. Here we go:

1. Who is your celebrity crush?
2. What was the first concert you went to?
3. If someone gave you half a million dollars and one day to spend it, what would you do?
4. What is your dream vacation destination?
5. Do you have any quirky phobias? (And if so, what are they?)
6. What is your favorite way to relax?
7. How did you celebrate your 21st birthday?
8. What is your social media/blogging pet peeve?
9. If you could go to college for free and study anything you wanted just for fun, what would classes would you seek out?
10. Who are your heroes? 

 

And ..... drumroll please! ..... The nominees are:

1. MelissaDell.com
2. Lindsey at Fit & Awesome
3. Jamie, the Minnesota Girl in LA
4. AnneHogan.net
5. Rina, the Mothership Scrapbook Gal
6. Ashley of Chronicles of a Foodie
7. Marlita on the Run
8. Ann About Town
9. Raquel from Organized Island
10. Kelly at Big Curvy Love

What's Up, Friday?

This week was such an improvement over the last one, which was an improvement over the one before and I feel like celebrating. With the end of this week, I feel this strange weight coming off my shoulders slowly and am sticking to a new mantra: If I can survive through October, everything will be okay. I realize that's a strange stance to make when most people start panicking with the holiday season approaching, but I feel like the holidays will return me to a place of familiarity and comfort and joy. 

In case I've not mentioned it here (I have on Twitter), I am battling a seemingly chronic case of nauseau. I don't know why. I wake up most mornings just super nauseaus and some days, like today, it is almost crippling. Sometimes it's right when I wake up, sometimes it sets in while I'm showering, sometimes just while I'm putting on my makeup... I don't know how to fix this. I mean, clearly I should see a doctor, but I don't really know what he's gonna tell me or do to fix it. At some point later in the morning it goes away and that's that. Actually, I don't think about it much anymore but on days like this one - where I can barely stand up at some point - I get really angry about it. 

And on that chipper note, what's new with you, kids? Do tell.

1. NSYNC IS REUNITING AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO EXCITED IN ALL OF MY LIFE.

No, seriously, you guys. One year ago I tweeted "NKOTB, BSB, The Wanted and 98 Degrees on stage together this past weekend. NSYNC, let's get on that, m'k?" So I think it's clear that I made this happen. I only hope there will be singing and dancing. If the group is reuniting just to hand Justin a trophy at the VMAs only so he can sing something from his new album, I will probably curl up in the fetal position and cry. And text like 8 people about my outrage.

2. Ben Affleck has been cast as the next Batman and the internet is all up in arms about it. As I pretty much hated the first Superman movie (well, the one with Henry Cavill), I kind of don't care who plays Batman in the second because I expect to hate the movie anyway. And since the role didn't end Clooney's career, I say we let Ben have at it. Frankly, I thought he was a pretty good Daredevil, so I'm indifferent. That said, if you want to laugh at the nerd outrage, check out the hashtag #BetterThanBenAffleck on Twitter. 

P.S. "Bat-Damon" is hilarious. 

3. If you hadn't heard, I'm kind of a big Yankees fan. And this week, outfielder and ten-time all-star Ichiro Suzuki had his 4000th base hit. Which is a really big deal. And when it happened, they played the theme from The Natural at which point I burst into tears of joy (I swear that's not crazy - if you've seen that movie, you probably empathize). 

 

4. "27 Everyday Decisions that Twenty-Somethings are Really Bad at" from Buzzfeed. I'm sharing this because even though I am 34, most of these are true for me. When reading it, know that #1 is a constant struggle for me

5. This video is over a year old but got a new viral life this week and I'm in love. Watching these hard core rockers admit what their guilty pleasure pop songs are? Amazing. Some of them are like "Yeah, so what, I like Bieber" and some of them are like "oh no, it's just cause my kids listen to pop music..."

Whatever, I know they're all rockin' out to "Genie in a Bottle" in the car.

 

6. I've never not been a Patton Oswalt fan -- it's just that he's typically been kind of off my radar. But at the behest of my boss at work, I started following him on Twitter and slowly he is earning a permanent place in my heart. And his ingenius stunt this week was amazing - check it out.

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Have a terrific weekend, everybody.