SyFy's Alice
The Mummy
Baby Mama
The Fast and the Furious
Braveheart
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Listography Day 4: Films I've seen recently
Day 4 of 10. A picture list today! These are some of the films I've seen recently. Most for the umpteenth time.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Listography Day 3: Aspirations
Day 3 of Ten Days of Listography and the things I wanted to be when I was growing up.
Veteranarian.
Police officer.
President of the U.S.
Journalist
Diplomat
Veteranarian.
Police officer.
President of the U.S.
Journalist
Diplomat
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Listography Day 2: Favorite poems
Ten Days of Listography day numero dos. My favorite poems and selected excerpts. Links to full versions.
The Raven, by Edgar Allan Poe
... `Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! -
Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted -
On this home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore -
Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'...
Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted -
On this home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore -
Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'...
The Valley of Unrest, by Edgar Allan Poe (notice a theme?)
... Ah, by no wind those clouds are driven
That rustle through the unquiet Heaven
Uneasily, from morn till even,
Over the violets there that lie
In myriad types of the human eye—
Over the lilies there that wave
And weep above a nameless grave!
They wave:—from out their fragrant tops
External dews come down in drops.
They weep:—from off their delicate stems
Perennial tears descend in gems.
There Will Come Soft Rains by Sara Teasdale
... And not one will know of the war, not one
Will care at last when it is done.
Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree,
If mankind perished utterly;
And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn
Would scarcely know that we were gone.
Will care at last when it is done.
Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree,
If mankind perished utterly;
And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn
Would scarcely know that we were gone.
Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll
...One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy...
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy...
The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch,
Whose flame is the imprisoned lightning,
and her name Mother of Exiles...
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Listography Day 1: Things that keep me up at night
Announcing Ten Days of Listography from yours truly, because I live in lists. This is what is on my mind today.
I have become obsessed with Listography.com. I have written 22 lists in the past hour.
I have run every day this week. I intend to run every day next week. And so on. My legs are tired.
Is attempted suicide a capital offense?
Why does it matter how important you have to be in order to be considered assassinated versus murdered? Either way, you're dead. Unless you're in a movie, then you might not be.
Genie said Aladdin couldn't wish for more wishes, so why didn't Aladdin just wish for more genies?
You are beautiful
Online social media sites can be a great way to interact with the world, keep up to date on the latest and greatest, or simply waste a whole lot of time (I will raise a hand to that). I'm part of the technology generation and from personal experience, I'm all for online social media; but what happens when people go too far?
While I could very well delve into a lengthy dissemination of just what is wrong with Tong's campaign, there is a broader picture here. Part of that broader picture is the use of online social media. As furious as I am with his message, Tong is simply one of the many sources of negative messages out there. These sources need a way to reach their audience and a vast majority of them utilize online social media (For instance, Tong has nearly 20,000 followers on Twitter; that's 20,000 people who he can instantly access with one nasty Tweet). But so do thousands of everyday people, such as you and I. Online social media gives us a vehicle to, in a way, speak to the world. In our circles of friends on Facebook, our followers on Twitter, and the people we follow all comprise a giant network; we are a part of a global mouthpiece where it is very possibly the things you post on Facebook and Twitter can be read by people all over the world. Some choose messages of hate, like Tong. What will you choose to say to the world? Let's choose love.
I find this to be an appropriate time to bring up the Operation Beautiful campaign. Check this video out everyone and remember: you are beautiful just the way you are.
All my love,
RF
I don't mean the ridiculous amount of time college students such as myself spend procrastinating on Facebook. I'm talking about when online social media is used in such a way that promotes actual harm to people. Hopefully you recall the 2006 suicide of St. Louis area native, Megan Meier, after being harassed by the mother of a school friend using a fake MySpace profile; the incident prompted the Megan Meier Cyber Bullying Prevention Act of 2009 though it never became law. What a horrible situation. Let me introduce a new piece of work, an individual by the name of Kenneth Tong who uses his Twitter page for, well, I'll let the tweets do the talking.
" @... I am indeed for real, and my size zero pill works, I serve as thinspiration to Twitter, of which is my stage.
Inner beauty is a myth. You are just fat. You are unloved. People look at you & are pleasant cause they feel sorry for you. Size Zero...
If your beautiful in your own way, am glad you appreciate yourself, cause that plus size garment can't breathe with your fat stretching it.
I do no promote anorexia. I promote managed anorexia. I created the latter term. I defined the latter, I assure you there is a difference.
I wholeheartedly hope I put you off your Dinner. Look at yourself. You are a disgrace. That's why the Guy you like doesn't notice you
@KhloeKardashian We've met a few times, but you'd be perfect as a Size Zero - I've launched a new Size Zero Pill. I'll send it to the shop? "Believe me, there was more. Much more. I sincerely hope that anyone who reads even these snippets of what this man is purporting would find themselves absolutely outraged. I am.
While I could very well delve into a lengthy dissemination of just what is wrong with Tong's campaign, there is a broader picture here. Part of that broader picture is the use of online social media. As furious as I am with his message, Tong is simply one of the many sources of negative messages out there. These sources need a way to reach their audience and a vast majority of them utilize online social media (For instance, Tong has nearly 20,000 followers on Twitter; that's 20,000 people who he can instantly access with one nasty Tweet). But so do thousands of everyday people, such as you and I. Online social media gives us a vehicle to, in a way, speak to the world. In our circles of friends on Facebook, our followers on Twitter, and the people we follow all comprise a giant network; we are a part of a global mouthpiece where it is very possibly the things you post on Facebook and Twitter can be read by people all over the world. Some choose messages of hate, like Tong. What will you choose to say to the world? Let's choose love.
I find this to be an appropriate time to bring up the Operation Beautiful campaign. Check this video out everyone and remember: you are beautiful just the way you are.
All my love,
RF
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Beauty and the ear of the beholder
What is beautiful? Can we assign it any one, solitary definition? Whoever said beauty is in the eye of the beholder was really on to something. Oddly enough from time to time, I find myself taking pause at certain sounds that I personally find absolutely beautiful. These are my top five favorite sounds.
5. Laughter - Genuine, joyous laughter. It's the stuff that I find I can't help but laugh along with. The baby giggling in the check-out line at Target. My angel Grandpa's deep belly laugh. The room on family game night when someone gets creative with the apples to apples cards (e.g. Hiroshima for loud, Helen Keller for touch-feely... I know, we're horrible people...).
4. Fire in a wood stove - If I close my eyes and imagine the sound of the fire crackling and popping in the wood stove at the family fort, I almost feel as if I'm there surrounded by my family watching a movie. The sound makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
3. An empty church - The time or two I've had the opportunity to sit in the empty, dark sanctuary of my church I've found myself in complete awe of the sound: silence. Silence is beautiful anywhere, I suppose, but I think there's something about silence in the sanctuary of a house of God that is absolutely captivating.
2. A cat's purr - I'm going to be more specific and say my cat's purr. Chelsea is a cranky old coot that I've had for fifteen years this May. She's a broad boned, part Mane Coon with gorgeous blue eyes, massive paws, and a sassy disposition. She is the queen and all creation bows before her. Or else. I love her, teeth and all, to pieces. The sound of her purr is particularly beautiful to me as it is not only rare, it's a deeper, more gravely sound than my other cat who pretty much purrs 24/7. Chel isn't all barbs, she has a soft side. Somewhere. It comes out when she's curled up on the foot of my bed, basking in the warmth of the heater. That's when she'll start purring. And I could listen to it all night.
1. Rain - I have always adored the sound of rain on my window in the mornings. Even without throwing back the curtains, I love to lay in bed and listen to the rain. If I'm feeling particularly energetic I might hop out of bed to crack the window and hear the rain more audibly. Divine.
So there you have it. Happy weekend!
RF
5. Laughter - Genuine, joyous laughter. It's the stuff that I find I can't help but laugh along with. The baby giggling in the check-out line at Target. My angel Grandpa's deep belly laugh. The room on family game night when someone gets creative with the apples to apples cards (e.g. Hiroshima for loud, Helen Keller for touch-feely... I know, we're horrible people...).
4. Fire in a wood stove - If I close my eyes and imagine the sound of the fire crackling and popping in the wood stove at the family fort, I almost feel as if I'm there surrounded by my family watching a movie. The sound makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
3. An empty church - The time or two I've had the opportunity to sit in the empty, dark sanctuary of my church I've found myself in complete awe of the sound: silence. Silence is beautiful anywhere, I suppose, but I think there's something about silence in the sanctuary of a house of God that is absolutely captivating.
2. A cat's purr - I'm going to be more specific and say my cat's purr. Chelsea is a cranky old coot that I've had for fifteen years this May. She's a broad boned, part Mane Coon with gorgeous blue eyes, massive paws, and a sassy disposition. She is the queen and all creation bows before her. Or else. I love her, teeth and all, to pieces. The sound of her purr is particularly beautiful to me as it is not only rare, it's a deeper, more gravely sound than my other cat who pretty much purrs 24/7. Chel isn't all barbs, she has a soft side. Somewhere. It comes out when she's curled up on the foot of my bed, basking in the warmth of the heater. That's when she'll start purring. And I could listen to it all night.
1. Rain - I have always adored the sound of rain on my window in the mornings. Even without throwing back the curtains, I love to lay in bed and listen to the rain. If I'm feeling particularly energetic I might hop out of bed to crack the window and hear the rain more audibly. Divine.
So there you have it. Happy weekend!
RF
Monday, January 3, 2011
11 for 2011
I'm going to make a statistical generalization and say that a vast majority of New Year's resolutions wind up in the garbage (or the cookie jar depending on the resolution) by February. Instead of a resolution or two, I've made a list of goals for this year. So here are my 11 for 2011:
1. Secure a commission in the Navy
This is first and foremost. I've put much thought over the past few months on what my next step in life will be after I graduate university and I've repeatedly arrived here. I've got a lot of work to do, but I'm ready.
2. Set monthly fitness goals
While a ridiculous amount of flopped New Year's resolutions are fitness related (gyms and book store featured tables across the country can attest to this), having routine goals is more realistic. For example, my January goal is 20 minutes of exercise every day (this is in addition to karate). Furthermore, I've found another running program to work with that I really like, so this is completely doable. Next month I intend to re-evaluate where I'm at and what I need to do to get better.
3.0 Add some happy hip hop music to my repertoire
Yes, miss classic/hard/gothic rock is actually branching out. I have slowly come to realize that not all hip-hop is obnoxious and the "happy" variety makes me, well, happy. It's also great workout music! (For the record I still abhor rap music, just had to put that out there).
3.1 (Because, well, 3.0 needed some more substance.) Get better at sending greeting cards (i.e. actually do so).
This is a general correspondence goal. I'd like to start sending actual cards/notes/etc. Who says my generation is losing touch with "old fashioned" communication? I intend to fight this gross generalization!
4. Tackle an MFA reading list
Okay, start tackling one (most are hellas long). It's going to be a while before I'm going to be able to go back to school and get another degree, but someday I'd like to consider getting an MFA in creative writing. In the interim, there's nothing like rounding out my reading to develop my writing skills.
5. Go skiing again
I tried skiing for the first time over my Christmas holiday and had a blast. I intend to hit the slopes again this year.
6. Write a blog post a week
While I'm stealing some of my goals from my reinvention list of a few months ago, it's something I want to bring into 2011. A second part of this is to chronicle my goals as I work towards them. Writing material!
7. Expand my container garden
Last year I cultivated some pepper and cilantro plants, nothing too fancy but it was a success. As soon as the frost is clear, I intend to start it up again. I'm looking into what other plants I might add.
8. Collect my favorite recipes into one cookbook.
I've mentioned Ree (Pioneer Woman) and her blog a time or two in the past few months. Someone got the hint and I received her cookbook for Christmas. I've already found a few recipes that, after rigorous testing (i.e. taste testing!) I will add to the book of life accordingly. In the mean time, I intend to locate the recipes for my favorite foods. Many of these are either recipes from my mother, her mother, etc. and recipes that I've happened upon over the years and/or have created (modified) myself. The bottom line is to have a collection of those tried and true, yummerific foods (it's a technical term).
9. Thrift shopping for funky clothes
Again inspired by a blog, this time New Dress A Day, I'd like to hit the estate/garage sales/ flea markets/etc. and try my hand at revamping some old stuff. This is both friendly to my budget and my personality.
10. Take some shooting courses
I'm not too shabby at target shooting, but practice never hurt and I'd like to look into some more action oriented courses. At the very least, if I get to the range more this year I'll be a happy camper.
11. Karate
I will make my final point in a moment, but before then enjoy this long introduction to my finale!
One thing that scares the living day lights out of me is that my home base will be changing a little over a year from now. While change is the only constant in life (I really despise that saying, for the record), I have always been a creature of habit who detests said habit to be interrupted. I'm talking about major stuff such as where I live, where I go to school/work, etc. I'm the kid who cried at the end of every. single. school year from oh maybe 2nd grade on because I didn't want a new teacher and new classmates. I feel comfort in what I know (most people do, I suppose). Well that's all changing again as I shift from student to career woman (that's scary), which in my case will involve a geographic change. For the record I am bound and determined to get through said change with as few to no emotional breakdowns as possible, I have to grow up sometime... Ahem.
FINALE: One of my most beloved aspects of my current home base is karate, and I'm going to miss it terribly next year. I could very well have one of those breakdowns if I think on this too long. In short, my final goal for 2011 is to (continue to) work as hard (and harder) during the time I have with karate.
So there it is, my 11 for 2011! Here's to a great year full of life, love, and growth.
Cheers,
RF
1. Secure a commission in the Navy
This is first and foremost. I've put much thought over the past few months on what my next step in life will be after I graduate university and I've repeatedly arrived here. I've got a lot of work to do, but I'm ready.
2. Set monthly fitness goals
While a ridiculous amount of flopped New Year's resolutions are fitness related (gyms and book store featured tables across the country can attest to this), having routine goals is more realistic. For example, my January goal is 20 minutes of exercise every day (this is in addition to karate). Furthermore, I've found another running program to work with that I really like, so this is completely doable. Next month I intend to re-evaluate where I'm at and what I need to do to get better.
3.0 Add some happy hip hop music to my repertoire
Yes, miss classic/hard/gothic rock is actually branching out. I have slowly come to realize that not all hip-hop is obnoxious and the "happy" variety makes me, well, happy. It's also great workout music! (For the record I still abhor rap music, just had to put that out there).
3.1 (Because, well, 3.0 needed some more substance.) Get better at sending greeting cards (i.e. actually do so).
This is a general correspondence goal. I'd like to start sending actual cards/notes/etc. Who says my generation is losing touch with "old fashioned" communication? I intend to fight this gross generalization!
4. Tackle an MFA reading list
Okay, start tackling one (most are hellas long). It's going to be a while before I'm going to be able to go back to school and get another degree, but someday I'd like to consider getting an MFA in creative writing. In the interim, there's nothing like rounding out my reading to develop my writing skills.
5. Go skiing again
I tried skiing for the first time over my Christmas holiday and had a blast. I intend to hit the slopes again this year.
6. Write a blog post a week
While I'm stealing some of my goals from my reinvention list of a few months ago, it's something I want to bring into 2011. A second part of this is to chronicle my goals as I work towards them. Writing material!
7. Expand my container garden
Last year I cultivated some pepper and cilantro plants, nothing too fancy but it was a success. As soon as the frost is clear, I intend to start it up again. I'm looking into what other plants I might add.
8. Collect my favorite recipes into one cookbook.
I've mentioned Ree (Pioneer Woman) and her blog a time or two in the past few months. Someone got the hint and I received her cookbook for Christmas. I've already found a few recipes that, after rigorous testing (i.e. taste testing!) I will add to the book of life accordingly. In the mean time, I intend to locate the recipes for my favorite foods. Many of these are either recipes from my mother, her mother, etc. and recipes that I've happened upon over the years and/or have created (modified) myself. The bottom line is to have a collection of those tried and true, yummerific foods (it's a technical term).
9. Thrift shopping for funky clothes
Again inspired by a blog, this time New Dress A Day, I'd like to hit the estate/garage sales/ flea markets/etc. and try my hand at revamping some old stuff. This is both friendly to my budget and my personality.
10. Take some shooting courses
I'm not too shabby at target shooting, but practice never hurt and I'd like to look into some more action oriented courses. At the very least, if I get to the range more this year I'll be a happy camper.
11. Karate
I will make my final point in a moment, but before then enjoy this long introduction to my finale!
One thing that scares the living day lights out of me is that my home base will be changing a little over a year from now. While change is the only constant in life (I really despise that saying, for the record), I have always been a creature of habit who detests said habit to be interrupted. I'm talking about major stuff such as where I live, where I go to school/work, etc. I'm the kid who cried at the end of every. single. school year from oh maybe 2nd grade on because I didn't want a new teacher and new classmates. I feel comfort in what I know (most people do, I suppose). Well that's all changing again as I shift from student to career woman (that's scary), which in my case will involve a geographic change. For the record I am bound and determined to get through said change with as few to no emotional breakdowns as possible, I have to grow up sometime... Ahem.
FINALE: One of my most beloved aspects of my current home base is karate, and I'm going to miss it terribly next year. I could very well have one of those breakdowns if I think on this too long. In short, my final goal for 2011 is to (continue to) work as hard (and harder) during the time I have with karate.
So there it is, my 11 for 2011! Here's to a great year full of life, love, and growth.
Cheers,
RF
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