So I have this new job. I'm working for the J. Paul Getty Trust, which includes one of America's premier art museums. We also have a conservation institute which works all over the world conserving artwork and all kinds of antiquities. We also have a research institute that has a huge collection of old and rare books, art pieces, anything you might need for researching art and antiquity. They host several scholars each year and grad students who use the resources we have to further their own research into whatever it is they are into. Those scholars in residence are supported through the Getty Trust, which is just a bunch of money that supports all the parts of the Getty and gives grants to these scholars. I work in the marketing department of Getty Publications. We publish books about all kinds of things. Sometimes they are related to exhibits going on at the museum, or a former scholar in residence publishes their research, or sometimes its a kids book about art. I am the staff assistant to marketing. I keep our department organized, plan travel, and generally keep things running smoothly. That's hypothetical, of course, at least until I figure out what it is I'm supposed to do each day!
The best part of my job is working around creative-minded people. That is something I think I took for granted until I wasn't anymore. You see, the last year of my life I worked at a bookstore. Now, the pay wasn't good, but I enjoyed helping people find that perfect gift, or their favorite kids' book to give to their grandchildren, or that health book that is going to help them with their ailment. I had a hard time with some of the people I worked with, though. It was last year that I discovered that much of the adult world is happy where they are, which is usually mediocrity. It's as though they have turned their dreams off, or given up on them, or never had them in the first place. They got to some point in their lives and said "I have this crappy job that pays me very little and doesn't challenge me mentally or emotionally at all. I'm not really improving the world (ok, so at least I'm selling books which is important) but that's ok with me. I know if I wanted to do anything else, I'd have to work really hard or go back to school or make myself uncomfortable. I'd rather not rock the boat. Yeah, this job is ok enough."
I felt like I was banging my head against a wall with these people. There were opportunities out there for these people if they just wanted to reach out and grab them. But they were fine to make their little paycheck and, instead of investing it or saving for tuition or something that might move them forward, they ate out every night, played online video games until 4 am, or bought cars they didn't need and couldn't afford just because they had enough credit.
What is wrong with us that we think we just can't do better? I firmly believe that, yes, it's important to find contentment with the circumstances life hands you. Sometimes, in the face of terrible times, that's the only thing you can do. Be grateful for whatever you have that is good, and be content. However, I think it is even more important to be conscious of the forward movement of your life. Maybe you can't flesh out exactly what your dream is. Maybe it's hard to think about how you could ever make it out of the hole you're living in. But isn't it worth it to step out, to make a decision, to move somewhere that might move you out and up?
That's what we did. We took a chance moving to California because it felt like moving forward. Staying in Montgomery, taking a job at the Shakespeare Festival would have been easy. Jeff would have been making good money. The cost of living is cheap. I could have found some job, working in an office or for a church. But that felt like death to us. It was not just standing still, but taking a step back. We would have been stuck there, not gathering experience that would be helpful to us in the future, not seeking out the possibility of the future, no matter how frightening it might seem at the time. It felt like settling for mediocrity.
Our gamble paid off. God has truly blessed us in our faith that we were moving where we felt like we were supposed to be. In the face of financial hardship (and I'm talking $24 to our names hardship), economic collapse, and a crumbling job market, we both got jobs in fields where we feel we were meant to be. I know I'm still an administrative assistant, but I feel like I'm working for the greater good. I enjoy knowing we create books. Books about creativity and the arts, about ancient history and philosophy. I am where I'm supposed to be and I can only tell you that stepping out moved us forward. I don't know where we'll end up, and I don't even care. Because you never stop moving, not if you really try. You can always move forward, and I hope I always will.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
A list of things causing me anxiety about the future
- Unemployment in the US at large and my own joblessness
- Ben Bernanke's assurance that we are "days away from a global economic crisis"
- Vaccines possibly causing autism
- People not vaccinating their kids and a rise in polio and other childhood diseases
- North Korea
- Russia
- The government positing that they have a solution to the market crisis
- Republicans not acting like Republicans
- Democrats not acting like Democrats
- A presidential race where I think both options are mostly the same
- Loss of fossil fuels
- Dependency on foreign oil
- Healthcare and insurance
- Wall Street
- Global poverty
- My own biological clock
- The feeling that making this list hasn't been as cathartic as I had hoped
- Helplessness
- Food shortages and rising food prices
Feel free to add to this list. I am curious if I am the only one feeling these anxieties.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Dim sum and then sum
A couple of weekends ago we got to feel like we were definitely living in a big city. We made our first trip to Chinatown which was lots of fun. Andrew loves this little restaurant there where lunch is all dim sum. And let me tell you, this place was genuine! Little Chinese families talking in broken english and ordering chicken feet from the trays as they rolled by. I think Jeff and I were both a little intimidated. Andrew graciously sat us, mostly because of the looks of thinly veiled terror on our faces, away from the aisle where girls were rolling trays of odd looking foods, some steamed balls of who-knows-what, some meats and veggies wrapped in wonton wrappers and then steamed, sesame balls (yum!), and some interesting pineapple bread that was sweet and not all at once. Andrew would order some of this and some of that off the trays and help us identify them. We mixed some mustard and soy sauce for dipping and away we went!
In a vain attempt to not show that we were totally out of place and fish out of water, Jeff and I were both using chop sticks. Now, we are fork users when we eat Chinese food, and reserve our chop stick use to sushi which is sticky and pretty much stays firmly on the ends. Dim sum, in contrast, is gooey and sometimes slimy (though it tastes better than that description might suggest) and doesn't want to stay put. I guess my talent for chop sticks is slightly more developed than Jeff's, because he was our lunchtime entertainment. He would chase the pieces of food around the plate, desperately trying to pick them up. Once, having tried a steamed dumpling of some kind, he thought I would really enjoy it as well. He picked it up and tried to place it on my plate. The dumpling slid from between the chop sticks, plopped onto my plate, and promptly slid right off onto the floor. Jeff was stunned into silence with his sticks still poised in the air. We all laughed and kept on eating unidentified steamed foods and enjoying ourselves all the way. It was really fun and I had the absolutely best wonton soup ever made. I really could have just eaten that and been happy.
After lunch we went across the street to some of the stores and looked around. Since Jeff hadn't started work yet we couldn't buy anything (which is a sad statement on our poverty, I think. Can't afford Chinatown?!?) but it was fun seeing what was there anyway. It made me feel very cosmopolitan to know I'm living in a town with a real live Chinatown, and also made me feel like a small-town girl a little bit. But that's ok.
We've not had a chance to really see a lot of other stuff yet, as Jeff has only just started work and I'm still looking, but we're trying to get out and enjoy our new town. I've discovered the local farmer's markets, and plan to check those out soon. We're hoping to see some plays and maybe some concerts as well--there seem to be free or low cost events all over the place which is nice.
Jeff is starting work on a play which Andrew is directing. It opens at the end of this month and runs through October. It probably won't pay much if anything, but I think he'll enjoy just designing again. I'm thinking I will start going to work with Andrew, just to be an unofficial intern at Superior. It would teach me a little bit about the industry and allow me to let potential employers know that I have put in some time with an industry company. I am hoping that will give me a leg up on getting a job. At least it would get me out of the house and hopefully be a learning experience. It couldn't be less helpful than sitting around the house all day hoping the temp agency will call or that my resume will get a hit online. We're fine for a while without me getting a job because Jeff is making good money. However, to be able to pay off some debts and enjoy living in California, we'll need to get a second income sometime in the next couple of months. Hopefully sooner.
Anyway, if we do anything else interesting, I'll try to take pictures to show here. I'm terrible at that, as you all know!
In a vain attempt to not show that we were totally out of place and fish out of water, Jeff and I were both using chop sticks. Now, we are fork users when we eat Chinese food, and reserve our chop stick use to sushi which is sticky and pretty much stays firmly on the ends. Dim sum, in contrast, is gooey and sometimes slimy (though it tastes better than that description might suggest) and doesn't want to stay put. I guess my talent for chop sticks is slightly more developed than Jeff's, because he was our lunchtime entertainment. He would chase the pieces of food around the plate, desperately trying to pick them up. Once, having tried a steamed dumpling of some kind, he thought I would really enjoy it as well. He picked it up and tried to place it on my plate. The dumpling slid from between the chop sticks, plopped onto my plate, and promptly slid right off onto the floor. Jeff was stunned into silence with his sticks still poised in the air. We all laughed and kept on eating unidentified steamed foods and enjoying ourselves all the way. It was really fun and I had the absolutely best wonton soup ever made. I really could have just eaten that and been happy.
After lunch we went across the street to some of the stores and looked around. Since Jeff hadn't started work yet we couldn't buy anything (which is a sad statement on our poverty, I think. Can't afford Chinatown?!?) but it was fun seeing what was there anyway. It made me feel very cosmopolitan to know I'm living in a town with a real live Chinatown, and also made me feel like a small-town girl a little bit. But that's ok.
We've not had a chance to really see a lot of other stuff yet, as Jeff has only just started work and I'm still looking, but we're trying to get out and enjoy our new town. I've discovered the local farmer's markets, and plan to check those out soon. We're hoping to see some plays and maybe some concerts as well--there seem to be free or low cost events all over the place which is nice.
Jeff is starting work on a play which Andrew is directing. It opens at the end of this month and runs through October. It probably won't pay much if anything, but I think he'll enjoy just designing again. I'm thinking I will start going to work with Andrew, just to be an unofficial intern at Superior. It would teach me a little bit about the industry and allow me to let potential employers know that I have put in some time with an industry company. I am hoping that will give me a leg up on getting a job. At least it would get me out of the house and hopefully be a learning experience. It couldn't be less helpful than sitting around the house all day hoping the temp agency will call or that my resume will get a hit online. We're fine for a while without me getting a job because Jeff is making good money. However, to be able to pay off some debts and enjoy living in California, we'll need to get a second income sometime in the next couple of months. Hopefully sooner.
Anyway, if we do anything else interesting, I'll try to take pictures to show here. I'm terrible at that, as you all know!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Earthquake!!!
I just lived through my very first earthquake. Since Maggie and Bryce, my lovely cousins, were deathly afraid I would die in an earthquake immediately upon moving to California, I wanted to let you all know I am not dead.
I was sitting on my couch sending out resumes to job openings with my roommate Kerrie who was doing the same thing. I suddenly felt the couch shaking. My first thought was that one of our many animals was sitting behind the couch and scratching which was shaking us too. Knowing that both the dogs are too big to get back there and the cats would have to be really strong to shake us that way, I said to Kerrie, "Is this an earthquake?"
Immediately, the shaking became much stronger and the whole house was moving. I could see the walls wobbly back and forth. The dogs came running out into the living room as Kerrie and I stupidly held onto the couch and rode it out. We did absolutely nothing to protect ourselves (doorways? would that help me? What?) and it was over almost before it started.
Kerrie and I looked at each other and laughed. I think we were just relieved that it was so minor in our house because we weren't sure it we would have been able to save ourselves! Nothing broke or anything here (Jeff would be proud because my first thought was for the TV). We just got a good shake. All the news stations are going crazy and the animals are still calming down, but otherwise it was pretty minor. The aftershocks are getting smaller, so nothing worse should happen and my little old house looks like it will hold up pretty well through quakes. Plus, the epicenter is 20 miles southeast of Los Angeles (we are north west of downtown) so the worst is far from us. I promise everyone I'll actually read up on earthquake safety so next time I won't just stare in shock amazement.
I was sitting on my couch sending out resumes to job openings with my roommate Kerrie who was doing the same thing. I suddenly felt the couch shaking. My first thought was that one of our many animals was sitting behind the couch and scratching which was shaking us too. Knowing that both the dogs are too big to get back there and the cats would have to be really strong to shake us that way, I said to Kerrie, "Is this an earthquake?"
Immediately, the shaking became much stronger and the whole house was moving. I could see the walls wobbly back and forth. The dogs came running out into the living room as Kerrie and I stupidly held onto the couch and rode it out. We did absolutely nothing to protect ourselves (doorways? would that help me? What?) and it was over almost before it started.
Kerrie and I looked at each other and laughed. I think we were just relieved that it was so minor in our house because we weren't sure it we would have been able to save ourselves! Nothing broke or anything here (Jeff would be proud because my first thought was for the TV). We just got a good shake. All the news stations are going crazy and the animals are still calming down, but otherwise it was pretty minor. The aftershocks are getting smaller, so nothing worse should happen and my little old house looks like it will hold up pretty well through quakes. Plus, the epicenter is 20 miles southeast of Los Angeles (we are north west of downtown) so the worst is far from us. I promise everyone I'll actually read up on earthquake safety so next time I won't just stare in shock amazement.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Crap! I live in LA!
My dear readers,
The reality that I live in a big, bustling city that couldn't care less about one more person joining their ranks is sinking in. Not that I'm regretting the decision, but it is very real now. I like this city--at least as a big change from where I have been. there are thigns to do, cool places to eat, and people from every walk of life all crowded in together. This makes for a much more interesting life than the beige existence I had in Montgomery. This feels like a big step upward in a lot of ways.
Granted, so far it hasn't been roses. For one thing, I don't have a job yet and have had more expenses than I'd like to admit. Of course, I think Jeff is going to have a job fairly soon, so the immense pressure is off of me for just a little while. Also, we're getting used to living with other people again. It helps that it is Andrew, a good friend of ours. He and Kerrie, our other roommate, see living together as more than just a convenience thing. We're seeing our lives as very communal, sharing food expenses, borrowing cars for long commutes, etc. It helps knowing there are people there looking out for you. AND (and this is a biggie), our stuff hasn't arrived yet. My back feels like it belongs to an 80-year-old from sleeping for more than a week on an air matress. Of course, I can partially blame my bed-hog of a dog for that. We won't be getting our stuff until sometime next week and I am stir crazy for a sofa! I guess that is a mild complaint, but it feels like it's my whole life right now!
The city is crazy, though. Everyone driving as fast as possible, in a hurry to get somewhere. But it is nice to know that I can go out in my sweats and a ponytail, no make-up, or get dressed to the nines in heels and jewelry, and be judged the same way by my fellow-passersby. No one really cares, and that's the truth.
I'm running out of time on my library computer here, so I'll write more when I have more to say. But suffice it to say, I'm a crazy LA chick--who is already making plans for the next step!
The reality that I live in a big, bustling city that couldn't care less about one more person joining their ranks is sinking in. Not that I'm regretting the decision, but it is very real now. I like this city--at least as a big change from where I have been. there are thigns to do, cool places to eat, and people from every walk of life all crowded in together. This makes for a much more interesting life than the beige existence I had in Montgomery. This feels like a big step upward in a lot of ways.
Granted, so far it hasn't been roses. For one thing, I don't have a job yet and have had more expenses than I'd like to admit. Of course, I think Jeff is going to have a job fairly soon, so the immense pressure is off of me for just a little while. Also, we're getting used to living with other people again. It helps that it is Andrew, a good friend of ours. He and Kerrie, our other roommate, see living together as more than just a convenience thing. We're seeing our lives as very communal, sharing food expenses, borrowing cars for long commutes, etc. It helps knowing there are people there looking out for you. AND (and this is a biggie), our stuff hasn't arrived yet. My back feels like it belongs to an 80-year-old from sleeping for more than a week on an air matress. Of course, I can partially blame my bed-hog of a dog for that. We won't be getting our stuff until sometime next week and I am stir crazy for a sofa! I guess that is a mild complaint, but it feels like it's my whole life right now!
The city is crazy, though. Everyone driving as fast as possible, in a hurry to get somewhere. But it is nice to know that I can go out in my sweats and a ponytail, no make-up, or get dressed to the nines in heels and jewelry, and be judged the same way by my fellow-passersby. No one really cares, and that's the truth.
I'm running out of time on my library computer here, so I'll write more when I have more to say. But suffice it to say, I'm a crazy LA chick--who is already making plans for the next step!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tim Russert
I am baffled and saddened by the death of Tim Russet today. I don't know where to turn to get my political news. I always felt like no matter what was going on, no matter what "side" he was speaking with, Tim Russert always did his very best to deliver the truth of any political story. More than almost any other journalist working these days, I never felt like he allowed his personal politics or beliefs to be imposed on his stories (take notes, Matt Lauer--ok, the entire Today Show cast). I could trust his interviews and reporting.
Even more than that, he never seemed to take himself too seriously. He seemed to enjoy his work, to be honestly inspired by political discussion. He never pushed his interviews to be mere sound bites or to be "good TV". And political figures respected him for that. They knew he would ask the tough questions without bias. He was a man after the truth. He respected his audience enough to ask the questions, to deliver the stories, but to allow us to make up our own minds about the issues. He was passionate, kind hearted, and intelligent.
I know one thing--there are now some very big shoes to fill in the political media world. Let's hope his legacy will have inspired others to fill them with the same grace, wit, and fervor. Tim, you will be missed.
Even more than that, he never seemed to take himself too seriously. He seemed to enjoy his work, to be honestly inspired by political discussion. He never pushed his interviews to be mere sound bites or to be "good TV". And political figures respected him for that. They knew he would ask the tough questions without bias. He was a man after the truth. He respected his audience enough to ask the questions, to deliver the stories, but to allow us to make up our own minds about the issues. He was passionate, kind hearted, and intelligent.
I know one thing--there are now some very big shoes to fill in the political media world. Let's hope his legacy will have inspired others to fill them with the same grace, wit, and fervor. Tim, you will be missed.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Our next big adventure
Sorry to any of my regular or semi-regular readers. I know it's been forever since I last posted. It's just that over the last two months a lot has happened and we've been busy trying to figure it all out. I am going to do my very best to post more often, especially because of what is going to happen to us in the next few months.
As many of you know, I had decided it was time for me to go back to school. I applied to several schools for a master's degree in playwriting. Unfortunately, I chose a very competitive field with few schools. Although my writing has really improved over the last few years, it's obvious that I'm not ready to be in a graduate program yet. I wasn't accepted to any schools, so I'm back to the drawing board. I am taking this rejection in stride--it almost seemed to bring things into focus for me. I feel like I was going back to school to have someone else just "fix" my writing for me. It's obvious that I need to put extra work into my writing on my own. If I'm not willing to do that, then maybe it's not the right field for me anyway. I never felt 100% comfortable with playwriting anyway, and I have begun to explore other places I can use my writing skills, especially online where there are tons of freelance writing opportunities. So, for now, school is on the back burner.
However, we are about to get Jeff graduated! He will officially receive his MFA in theatrical lighting on May 10th and he will start life as a professional lighting designer. He has truly developed his skills and made some great contacts in the business, so we are very excited about his future. He is really ready to be in the working world. He's going to stay here with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival for a few weeks this summer with an actual paycheck (rather than the stipend we've been living on) to save some money for our move.
And now we come to the big news: we are moving to California! For those of you who know me well, you are probably scratching your heads right now. Los Angeles is about the last place I ever thought I would be moving to, but this is happening and I am really excited about it. We are joining some other friends out there to work for a few years. Jeff is hoping to work in the film industry in some way. He's already been in contact with the unions out there to see about working on film and TV as an electrician. He is super excited about this--it's kind of a life-long dream come true for him to do this. This will give him the opportunity to learn about film and just have some awesome experiences. Our friend Andrew, who has recently moved back to LA after grad school, is currently working as a commercial casting agent. He is doing his best to help me find a job in the industry somewhere, so it looks like it is back to the office world for me.
I am excited about the openness of our plans. We have no concrete plan about what our future is going to look like, but somehow, (for probably the first time in my life) that feels okay. I am finally at a place in my life where I am ready to have an adventure, take a risk, and just see where it takes me. Part of this new found freedom is courtesy of my husband. He has no fear of the unknown, no concern that things won't work out for the very best for him. Though this has sometimes lead him to want to be wreckless, God sent him ME to remind him that a little planning goes a long way. We are making smart choices so that we can take this risk without completely throwing ourselves off a cliff.
And maybe we are throwing ourselves off a cliff, but at this point, I don't even care. It feels so much like the right decision that I am almost giddy with readiness for it. We just have this firm faith that we are making the right decision and God is going to continue to provide for us. I mean, let's be honest, three years ago, we were so clueless as to how and where our lives were going to go. As a kind of last minute decision, Jeff decided to go back to school for something he liked and thought he was kind of good at just so he didn't live the rest of his life having to work in crappy retail jobs. Now, he has honed his talent and found his passion. At the same time, I had to leave a job I loved and thought my professional life was over. But I found a home as a secretary and learned about my own passion for both social justice and, somewhat sadly, spreadsheets. Having honed my own skills in organization and customer service, I've discovered I'm good at more things than I knew and am ready for a career in the business world. If you ask me, God has been good in answering the prayers we didn't even know we needed to pray.
I am going to try my hardest to document this next step. Especially for my family I am leaving behind, I need to be able to voice what my new life is like to stay connected. But most importantly, I know that the next few years are going to provide some incredible life experiences that I need to expand me as an artist and a person. So, stay tuned for our little adventure!
As many of you know, I had decided it was time for me to go back to school. I applied to several schools for a master's degree in playwriting. Unfortunately, I chose a very competitive field with few schools. Although my writing has really improved over the last few years, it's obvious that I'm not ready to be in a graduate program yet. I wasn't accepted to any schools, so I'm back to the drawing board. I am taking this rejection in stride--it almost seemed to bring things into focus for me. I feel like I was going back to school to have someone else just "fix" my writing for me. It's obvious that I need to put extra work into my writing on my own. If I'm not willing to do that, then maybe it's not the right field for me anyway. I never felt 100% comfortable with playwriting anyway, and I have begun to explore other places I can use my writing skills, especially online where there are tons of freelance writing opportunities. So, for now, school is on the back burner.
However, we are about to get Jeff graduated! He will officially receive his MFA in theatrical lighting on May 10th and he will start life as a professional lighting designer. He has truly developed his skills and made some great contacts in the business, so we are very excited about his future. He is really ready to be in the working world. He's going to stay here with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival for a few weeks this summer with an actual paycheck (rather than the stipend we've been living on) to save some money for our move.
And now we come to the big news: we are moving to California! For those of you who know me well, you are probably scratching your heads right now. Los Angeles is about the last place I ever thought I would be moving to, but this is happening and I am really excited about it. We are joining some other friends out there to work for a few years. Jeff is hoping to work in the film industry in some way. He's already been in contact with the unions out there to see about working on film and TV as an electrician. He is super excited about this--it's kind of a life-long dream come true for him to do this. This will give him the opportunity to learn about film and just have some awesome experiences. Our friend Andrew, who has recently moved back to LA after grad school, is currently working as a commercial casting agent. He is doing his best to help me find a job in the industry somewhere, so it looks like it is back to the office world for me.
I am excited about the openness of our plans. We have no concrete plan about what our future is going to look like, but somehow, (for probably the first time in my life) that feels okay. I am finally at a place in my life where I am ready to have an adventure, take a risk, and just see where it takes me. Part of this new found freedom is courtesy of my husband. He has no fear of the unknown, no concern that things won't work out for the very best for him. Though this has sometimes lead him to want to be wreckless, God sent him ME to remind him that a little planning goes a long way. We are making smart choices so that we can take this risk without completely throwing ourselves off a cliff.
And maybe we are throwing ourselves off a cliff, but at this point, I don't even care. It feels so much like the right decision that I am almost giddy with readiness for it. We just have this firm faith that we are making the right decision and God is going to continue to provide for us. I mean, let's be honest, three years ago, we were so clueless as to how and where our lives were going to go. As a kind of last minute decision, Jeff decided to go back to school for something he liked and thought he was kind of good at just so he didn't live the rest of his life having to work in crappy retail jobs. Now, he has honed his talent and found his passion. At the same time, I had to leave a job I loved and thought my professional life was over. But I found a home as a secretary and learned about my own passion for both social justice and, somewhat sadly, spreadsheets. Having honed my own skills in organization and customer service, I've discovered I'm good at more things than I knew and am ready for a career in the business world. If you ask me, God has been good in answering the prayers we didn't even know we needed to pray.
I am going to try my hardest to document this next step. Especially for my family I am leaving behind, I need to be able to voice what my new life is like to stay connected. But most importantly, I know that the next few years are going to provide some incredible life experiences that I need to expand me as an artist and a person. So, stay tuned for our little adventure!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Weather Man
I think the local NBC affiliate in Montgomery has one of the worst weather men ever in the history of weather men. He's totally awkward. When he does a promo for the nightly news, he smiles awkwardly at the camera after he's finished. They don't cut away from him forever...do they not see what I see? I have a feeling this guy is probably the nicest man you've ever met, but he is also the guy everyone in the station plays pranks on. He's so nice, he just takes it.
And local commercials here are ridiculous. Need I mention the "Flea Market" guy? He promotes his store with a catchy rap. We only slow down our Tivo fast forward to watch Sonic commercials and the "Montgomery, Flea Market, it's just like, it's just like, a Mini....Mall" commercials. If you're curious on that one, search for it on You Tube. These things have a way of living forever online.
This little town that thinks it's a city is just generally sad. There's a local car dealership named McGough (cue sound bite from "Liar, Liar" and Mr. McGoo jokes), the world's largest Confederate flag, and a state government so corrupt it would make Nixon blush. Every day I live here I think "This is what people elsewhere think of when they think of backwoods Southerners. No wonder they think we're so behind." Jane, get me off this crazy thing.
And local commercials here are ridiculous. Need I mention the "Flea Market" guy? He promotes his store with a catchy rap. We only slow down our Tivo fast forward to watch Sonic commercials and the "Montgomery, Flea Market, it's just like, it's just like, a Mini....Mall" commercials. If you're curious on that one, search for it on You Tube. These things have a way of living forever online.
This little town that thinks it's a city is just generally sad. There's a local car dealership named McGough (cue sound bite from "Liar, Liar" and Mr. McGoo jokes), the world's largest Confederate flag, and a state government so corrupt it would make Nixon blush. Every day I live here I think "This is what people elsewhere think of when they think of backwoods Southerners. No wonder they think we're so behind." Jane, get me off this crazy thing.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Juno
OK, I know I'm about a month behind the times, but we had to save our pennies before we could get to the movies to see the new indie sensation, Juno. It was worth the wait. I know I often use the term "refreshing" when I describe movies or TV shows that I love, but maybe it's because Hollywood is coming back to the types of entertainment that I love the most. Maybe it's because there's a war going on or the unrest throughout the world, or the mortgage crisis or the impending recession, but Hollywood has become increasingly positive. Shows are full of families who may fight, but actually like each other, characters are less dark and twisted, and story lines are uplifting and happy. And yes, I find that refreshing.
Juno is a different kind of movie than you have see anytime recently. Juno, the heroine of this little movie, is a different kind of female character than anyone has written before. She gets pregnant and then makes some remarkable decisions about dealing with it. She is happy with herself and, though she stands outside of regular social circles, she doesn't seem to judge or hate the popular girls or mock the stupid football players. She creates her own social circle, with a popular, pretty best girlfriend, and a boyfriend whose parents dislike Juno. There's no angst or judgment. Juno is just a girl who is who she is and doesn't really care who likes it or hates it.
And I know that people are getting caught up in the whole teenage pregnancy thing. I don't understand anyone's concerns--she chooses not to get an abortion and finds a family to adopt the child. More than that, she handles the whole thing with grace and dignity. She doesn't hide the fact from her parents, but give them the opportunity to help her deal with it. I guess people get caught up in the fact that Juno, though she knows the consequences are real, she doesn't regret having sex. She knows it was probably stupid (considering the fact that she is now knocked up), but nonetheless she doesn't regret her decision.
This rocks the worlds of social conservatives who want to remind our daughters to never ever have sex no matter what. But I see Juno as a girl who owns her mistakes. She doesn't wallow in self-misery and isn't racked with guilt. I wish I had been able to find the good in the bad, to be self-assured and to live outside of crippling guilt as a sixteen-year-old and I would wish the same for my (someday) daughter.
I can't finish talking about this movie without talking about the writing. Diablo Cody, a brand new screenwriter, is the new "it" girl for writing realistic, complex, likable female characters for Hollywood. Her dialog crackles with wit and good humor. It's sharp, edgy, and fun. Some of the lines caught me off guard. Juno makes fun of herself late in her pregnancy and tells someone that the kids at school are already calling her "the cautionary whale". Her parents have a conversation after Juno tells them about her pregnancy that they were hoping she had just been expelled or was into heavy drugs. And then there's the little Asian chick outside the abortion clinic, holding a sign that says "No babies like murdering" while she chants, "All babies want to get borned".
But the really great moments come when Juno meets the adoptive family for the first time. Jennifer Garner plays the emotional wife who is desperate for a baby. She has obviously been burned before and is supremely cautious as she talks to Juno about if she is seeking any other "compensation" for giving up the baby. Juno's response is beautiful. The thought of profiting from the situation has never crossed her mind. She just wants her baby to be loved and she likes the idea of giving it to a family who really wants a child. There's no sense of sarcasm or concern about it. She just knows she is "ill-equipped".
I love all the characters in this movie. They are all fully drawn, with dimensions we continue to discover as the movie progresses. The dialogue and story couldn't be more enjoyable. And Ellen Page as Juno made everyone fall in love with this movie.
Dear Hollywood, please make more movies like Juno. Not crappy knock-offs like you always do when a movie does surprisingly well, but actual movies where people act the way real people act, and we can leave the theater having actually thought about difficult subjects but feel happy and entertained and moved. I know it's a tall order, but I believe in you.
Thanks,
America
Juno is a different kind of movie than you have see anytime recently. Juno, the heroine of this little movie, is a different kind of female character than anyone has written before. She gets pregnant and then makes some remarkable decisions about dealing with it. She is happy with herself and, though she stands outside of regular social circles, she doesn't seem to judge or hate the popular girls or mock the stupid football players. She creates her own social circle, with a popular, pretty best girlfriend, and a boyfriend whose parents dislike Juno. There's no angst or judgment. Juno is just a girl who is who she is and doesn't really care who likes it or hates it.
And I know that people are getting caught up in the whole teenage pregnancy thing. I don't understand anyone's concerns--she chooses not to get an abortion and finds a family to adopt the child. More than that, she handles the whole thing with grace and dignity. She doesn't hide the fact from her parents, but give them the opportunity to help her deal with it. I guess people get caught up in the fact that Juno, though she knows the consequences are real, she doesn't regret having sex. She knows it was probably stupid (considering the fact that she is now knocked up), but nonetheless she doesn't regret her decision.
This rocks the worlds of social conservatives who want to remind our daughters to never ever have sex no matter what. But I see Juno as a girl who owns her mistakes. She doesn't wallow in self-misery and isn't racked with guilt. I wish I had been able to find the good in the bad, to be self-assured and to live outside of crippling guilt as a sixteen-year-old and I would wish the same for my (someday) daughter.
I can't finish talking about this movie without talking about the writing. Diablo Cody, a brand new screenwriter, is the new "it" girl for writing realistic, complex, likable female characters for Hollywood. Her dialog crackles with wit and good humor. It's sharp, edgy, and fun. Some of the lines caught me off guard. Juno makes fun of herself late in her pregnancy and tells someone that the kids at school are already calling her "the cautionary whale". Her parents have a conversation after Juno tells them about her pregnancy that they were hoping she had just been expelled or was into heavy drugs. And then there's the little Asian chick outside the abortion clinic, holding a sign that says "No babies like murdering" while she chants, "All babies want to get borned".
But the really great moments come when Juno meets the adoptive family for the first time. Jennifer Garner plays the emotional wife who is desperate for a baby. She has obviously been burned before and is supremely cautious as she talks to Juno about if she is seeking any other "compensation" for giving up the baby. Juno's response is beautiful. The thought of profiting from the situation has never crossed her mind. She just wants her baby to be loved and she likes the idea of giving it to a family who really wants a child. There's no sense of sarcasm or concern about it. She just knows she is "ill-equipped".
I love all the characters in this movie. They are all fully drawn, with dimensions we continue to discover as the movie progresses. The dialogue and story couldn't be more enjoyable. And Ellen Page as Juno made everyone fall in love with this movie.
Dear Hollywood, please make more movies like Juno. Not crappy knock-offs like you always do when a movie does surprisingly well, but actual movies where people act the way real people act, and we can leave the theater having actually thought about difficult subjects but feel happy and entertained and moved. I know it's a tall order, but I believe in you.
Thanks,
America
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Catching up
I've been told my my lovely friend Meredith that I suck at blogging. And so I do. It's been since October that I've blogged, so let me try to catch you up on why it's been so long since my last entry.
In October, the wonderful bosses at Alabama Shakespeare Festival (heretofore referred to as ASF) let Jeff know that they would be using him, with all his lighting expertise, as a stage hand for the run of Peter Pan, their big money maker for the Christmas season. This led to a few 60 hour weeks for which he got paid the same amount as always and much abbreviated holidays for us (both Thanksgiving and Christmas). This only felt unjust to us because he was the only MFA design student who has been asked to do any such thing. Jeff dealt with it much better than I did. I'm still bitter.
Meanwhile, I took on some house cleaning jobs with my friend Sara. Though I was supposed to be working fewer hours at the bookstore, I usually worked four days a week there because of staff shortages and two days a week cleaning houses. At the same time, I was reteaching myself high school math so I could be prepared to take the GRE in December and finish all my grad school applications throughout December and January. Needless to say, by the time Christmas was over we were both blurry-eyed and exhausted.
However, things are much better now. Although some of the buys Jeff works with have left the theater meaning he will probably have to run at least one other show, he seems to be at peace with the situation. Besides, graduation is just around the corner and he has much bigger fish to fry, like finding a job post-grad school. I've taken a promotion at the bookstore (please hold your applause) and have stopped cleaning houses (long story--I may have driven away all our clients, though that's unsubstantiated). Our lives are feeling much more in balance.
So, we're looking toward the future. I'm starting a baby blanket for Sara who will be having a little boy in June, so look for another installment of my ongoing series on my crocheting projects. Jeff is taking a trip to Los Angeles in March to look for jobs and plan our move. Hopefully we'll know for sure by then where I've been accepted into grad school. Fingers-crossed that it's USC.
I'm also trying to start a new play.....I think it's going to be about newlyweds, a comedy, I think. I'll let you know how that goes. And I'll keep everyone updated as I get info on grad schools. I've not heard from any of them yet except that they have all received my applications. PROMISE I'll blog again soon.
In October, the wonderful bosses at Alabama Shakespeare Festival (heretofore referred to as ASF) let Jeff know that they would be using him, with all his lighting expertise, as a stage hand for the run of Peter Pan, their big money maker for the Christmas season. This led to a few 60 hour weeks for which he got paid the same amount as always and much abbreviated holidays for us (both Thanksgiving and Christmas). This only felt unjust to us because he was the only MFA design student who has been asked to do any such thing. Jeff dealt with it much better than I did. I'm still bitter.
Meanwhile, I took on some house cleaning jobs with my friend Sara. Though I was supposed to be working fewer hours at the bookstore, I usually worked four days a week there because of staff shortages and two days a week cleaning houses. At the same time, I was reteaching myself high school math so I could be prepared to take the GRE in December and finish all my grad school applications throughout December and January. Needless to say, by the time Christmas was over we were both blurry-eyed and exhausted.
However, things are much better now. Although some of the buys Jeff works with have left the theater meaning he will probably have to run at least one other show, he seems to be at peace with the situation. Besides, graduation is just around the corner and he has much bigger fish to fry, like finding a job post-grad school. I've taken a promotion at the bookstore (please hold your applause) and have stopped cleaning houses (long story--I may have driven away all our clients, though that's unsubstantiated). Our lives are feeling much more in balance.
So, we're looking toward the future. I'm starting a baby blanket for Sara who will be having a little boy in June, so look for another installment of my ongoing series on my crocheting projects. Jeff is taking a trip to Los Angeles in March to look for jobs and plan our move. Hopefully we'll know for sure by then where I've been accepted into grad school. Fingers-crossed that it's USC.
I'm also trying to start a new play.....I think it's going to be about newlyweds, a comedy, I think. I'll let you know how that goes. And I'll keep everyone updated as I get info on grad schools. I've not heard from any of them yet except that they have all received my applications. PROMISE I'll blog again soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)