Starry Night

If there’s one thing I love more than sleeping in a top bunk at the Allen Cabin-sion and spending time with the Allen Fam and laughing with Lisa, it’s staring at the sky. In fact, I love staring at the sky whenever I’m out of the city. It is so mesmerizing and awe-inspiring.

Which is why today’s 1000 Awesome Things really made me crave a trip: #22 Stars. Growing up, I don’t think I ever really had an appreciation for them. And then while Lisa and I camped in one of Katie’s parents’ rooms, we turned the lights off and behold! The ceiling was covered in those plastic stars from growing up. Ever since then, I’ve had an appreciation. Especially upon moving to Chicago where literally, the skyline is your gateway to stars. It’s why I love walking Oscar around the neighborhood late at night so I can just stargaze.

While walking to The Head & the Heart show 2 weeks ago, Chicago graced us with 5 stars. It was crazy cool. Cause there are stars…up above.

If every night were like this, I would invest in a hammock and sleep outdoors.

 

Silent, But Deadly

During the years of my film obsession, I’ve developed deeper and more appreciation for things besides the actors’ performances. I’ll admit, I used acting performances to determine if I liked a film. That isn’t the case these days anymore. I find I’m more drawn to cinematography shots, a script with underlying humor and a musical score.

Today, I feel most everyone is plugged into some type of music. These notes and tunes and melodies serve as a way to soundtrack our workouts, ride to work, road trip with friends and sing us to sleep on the airplane. And our musical scores change with every season, every mood and every album release. It’s why so many of us just lost it during the musical score of UP. Music is more than just sound.

But this obsession and need for music is the sole reason everyone should rush out to see The Artist. This film, a silent film, shows how music moves us and carries us through emotions and storylines. The story follows a successful silent film actor, George Valentin and his struggle with conforming to the new demand of studios moving to “The Talkies.”

I’ll admit, I’ve never seen a silent film in its entirety; so I was anticipating art cards flashing up on the screen every 4 seconds to tell me what was going on. Not the case. It’s amazing what we can still pick up on through facial expressions as we use music for context clues.

The acting performances of this film are nothing but outstanding. They would have to be, seeing as the actors’ faces and body language are what carries viewers from scene to scene. And another perk of the film I wasn’t anticipating: hearing the audience’s reactions. Sitting in a room with strangers whom you could hear laughing, gasping and hoping aloud is something few films give us the chance to experience.

Let the Celebrations Begin!

Seeing as I enjoy sunshine, I’ve always thought I enjoyed the month of July. It’s hot, there’s baseball going on, BBQs smoking and of course, my blessed day of birth. But after this article on The Gloss, I’m thinking I was made for the month of November.

November is……

……National Novel Writing Month–Maybe I’ll take part in a few years, and then this will be more relevant to me.

……Movember–An ode to some great ‘stache wearers where “men” shave off their facial hair and raise money for men’s health awareness. Totally support it, but sadly, cannot participate seeing as I can’t grow a ‘stache (whew). Thankfully, TOMS has made it possible for lasses to participate this year.

…..National Peanut Butter Lovers Month–Oh hey, I’ve been a peanut butter lover since creation. And I know I have already expressed my passion for this staple. I mean, at work, they offer us staples in the kitchen. Crunchy and Smooth both make the list. Just sayin’…

…..Sweet Potatoes Awareness Month— I’m not sure why the Awareness is needed, but these suckers are tasty! The day Maggie showed me the power of microwaving a sweet potato and eating it was life changing. And sweet potato fries?! Be still my heart. I’d dip you in peanut butter, but I’m not big on mixing and matching.

…..National Pomegranate Month–I still recall the moment Mal pulled one of these foreign alien objects from her lunch box. I thought what in the hell is that. And then I saw her picking at it and I thought, why in the hell would anyone eat seed by seed? Then I tried it. And it was amazing. And I never looked back. POM juice is sick though. Opt for the real deal.

…..National Sleep Comfort Month–I didn’t need another reason to hit the snooze or go to bed at 10 o’clock, but I do!