After months of agonizing over my future, I can finally say what I'll be doing this spring (thus delaying the future-agonizing a couple of months). I've accepted an internship with Goodman Media International in NYC and I am so excited!! I've felt for a while that I needed to go to New York for some reason. Now it is finally happening. In a future post I'll list all the things I'm looking forward to. But mostly I'm just excited to work for an awesome agency in one of the best cities in the world.
Other things that have happened lately...Oh. I was asked to speak at graduation?!? Still not sure what that's all about. I'm flattered obviously, but also very confused as to why I (not the best public speaker in the world) was chosen. People are telling me its because I've basically done everything in the program that one could do, which I guess is true. But it's super stressful because I have to speak for the entire Comms graduating class on how awesome our time here was. No pressure or anything.
That's about it for now. Still just plugging along in school. Although it's really hard to concentrate on anything now that I know I'll be going here in just over a month:
I'll be here soon enough.
PS: Who else is stoked about the Veronica Mars movie!?! I'm sooo excited. I literally couldn't talk about anything else the day it was announced. VMars is probably one of my all-time favorite TV shows and definitely didn't have time to wrap up in a satisfying way, and now it will. Logan and Veronica better end up together though. You have been warned, Rob Thomas. You have been warned.
Everyone go and donate if you haven't yet! Extra money means extra tiny-blonde sass!
So today I had like three people tell me (in person) that they actually read this blog. Which is nice and validating, but it also reminded me that I haven't posted in forever. I did get a Tumblr account though! Probably a bad decision, but if you ever want further insight into my weird mind, go ahead and check it out. You've been warned.
I wish I had more to report, but mostly this semester's just been the usual--busy, busy, busy. There were a few notable things though:
My last BYU basketball home game. I managed to get second row seats by being sneaky (which I felt a little bad about but not really) and even though we lost, I still teared up. BYU basketball's been a huge part of my life the past four years and I'm so glad I got to go to most of the games. There's nothing like the Marriott Center during a high-stakes conference game. Especially during Jimmermania.
Last week I attended the Matt and Kim/Passion Pit concert with Hillary and Cori. It was so much fun (especially watching Hillary completely fangirl). Also, it's so nice to be 21 and go into the 21 and older sections now. So much more chill and enjoyable.
I GOT MY CAP AND GOWN!! This means I'm officially graduating or something. Still feels unreal.
That's about it for now. I hope to have some more exciting news soon! (Ooh cryptic...)
But for now let's talk about my latest obsession: YouTube! And I'm not just talking about awesome goatremixes and Harlem Shake videos here. I'm talking about full-on web series and vlog channels that are professionally produced. I know I'm way late on the bandwagon here, but they are just so addicting! They're short, so you feel more justified in watching them. (Of course until you've gone through like 50 episodes and your day is shot.) They're usually pretty high quality, clever, and just really enjoyable. Technology has really changed how we view things, and I wouldn't be surprised if web series soon become a part of the mainstream, being nominated for Emmys and whatnot. (The new Arrested Development, possibly?)
Here are some of my favorites. Say goodbye to your next few days. You're welcome :)
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
A modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries follows Lizzie, a 24-year-old grad student, as she vlogs about her family, friends, and the incorrigible Mr. Darcy. In addition to being hilarious and filled with great actors, this series is one of the most clever adaptations I've seen. They really have time to delve deep into each character and as such, characters such as Lydia and Georgiana, who don't have much of a role in the book, become some of my favorites. Mary Kate Wiles, who plays Lydia, is one of the breakout stars of the series and is someone who will be going places. And the hipster William Darcy is very attractive. Even though you don't see him until episode 60 (but it's very worth the wait).
Another thing I love about this series is that in addition to the basic videos, there are also spinoffs and transmedia elements that give more layers to the story. Each of the characters have Twitter accounts, for example, and The Lydia Bennet series really has an amazing and heartbreaking arc that delves deep into the character and her relationship with Wickham.
Here's one of my favorite episodes that gives a good taste of the humor and modern feel. (Also, this one's probably the worst in terms of suggestive content and language. It's pretty clean throughout the series. Although I'm not sure what that says about me since this is one of my favorites...hmm)
DailyGrace
I just discovered Grace Helbig's videos, and they have kept me up for far longer than I care to admit. This girl is hilarious, and she's been vlogging for four years strong. She's got a good system in place now at this point, and pretty much every video is guaranteed to be hilarious. If you REALLY want to waste time, check these out.
Squaresville
I saw that Mary Kate Wiles was in another series, so I had to check it out. It's called Squaresville, a show about two girls trying to navigate life in their boring town. It's quirky and a little strange, but I really enjoyed the first season. Season 2 was just released, and I think I like it even better. Check it:
There are many more awesome web series out there (the VlogBrothers can do no wrong, for instance), but these are the ones I've been obsessing over lately. Do you guys know of any cool web series that I should check out?
Words cannot express how happy I am that it is finally the second month of the year. It's only been three days, but the weather's already been better than all of January (or as my friend Kelly calls it - "the Monday of the year") combined.
I just wanted to give a quick update on what's been going on (which is admittedly not much, because again, January) but I did get to have some fun:
I finally got to attend a game in the Marriott Center again. I loved watching the games with my dad over break, but nothing beats hanging out in the ROC with these lovely ladies.
Sundance 2013! I didn't make it up to Park City this year (sorry, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. We'll meet someday, I promise), but I got to ride the train up to Ogden to see Austenland! It was my first time on the Frontrunner, and I have to say I'm a big fan. It's pretty cheap and gets you there just as fast as driving. I'll definitely be utilizing it in the future - City Creek trip, anyone?
Up in Ogden, we only had three tickets and went through the most stressful/complicated process to get an extra ticket for the fourth member of our party. (It involved me getting cozy with the sound director and making deals with middle-aged ladies and Weber State students. A story for another time, but let me just say that I am getting very good at learning to not take no for an answer!) BUT it was all worth it, because Austenland was a great movie - super funny and charming - and we got a picture with author/producer Shannon Hale at the after party! She's just adorable and I absolutely love her books, so I was pretty excited to meet her!
I also went up to SLC with Whitney to see The Spectacular Now, an incredible movie about teenage love and addiction that depicts adolescence in a real and honest way. I'll definitely be seeing it again when it comes out in theater. But let me just say that after this and The Descendants, I take back every negative thing I ever said about Shailene Woodley. Girl's amazing - she just needs to get off that horrible TV show.
Yesterday I embraced my domestic side and hosted a Groundhog Day party. Mostly I just wanted an excuse to watch one of my favorite movies with friends, but I found these recipes on Pinterest and thought I'd try them out. They were really simple and I thought they turned out super cute!
No-bake cookies and Almond Joys. Easy peasy.
Of course, there was also the series finale of 30 Rock. I could write a whole eulogy about this show, but I think the show itself puts it best:
Thank you, 30 Rock, for making me laugh for seven wonderful years. Especially you, Liz Lemon. Someday I hope to have a great relationship like the one between you and Jack. You taught me that I should never settle for less than the best, that I should never give up on my dreams, and that all humanity is united by the sandwich. You made me want to go to there, wherever "there" happens to be. I will never forget you, Rural Juror. Goodbye.
Things I'm looking forward to in February:
Ed Sheeran concert!
The Oscars
Celebrating Valentine's Day with Netflix and sushi
Vegas for President's Day weekend
Also, I just wanted to include a quick plug about the BYU Fashion Show coming up this Saturday. My good friends Kailee, Monika, and Melanie are all designing for it, and their stuff is AMAZING. These girls are so talented; it honestly makes me a little jealous! You'll definitely want to check out their designs; they're pretty incredible. And there'll be a real runway and everything!
So I have to be up in like five hours but my brain just will.not.shut.off. I hate when this happens, because I know I'm going to be exhausted all day tomorrow but there's nothing I can do about it. So I figured I'd write...something. I realize I haven't been super consistent lately with this whole personal blogging thing. I'm just so dang busy all the time. Like literally every second of my day is filled with something - either work or school or church or PR related. I love it, but it can be tiring. And stressful. And did I mention that January is basically the Monday of the year? Because it is. The weather's horrible EVERY SINGLE DAY, the joy of Christmas is gone, and you're thrust into the swing of things in middle of the darkest parts of winter. It's the worst. I'm ready for it to be February already (Groundhog Day party at my place, holla!)
Sorry. I'm sure that was a mess to read. (You didn't actually read it all the way through, did you?) So to apologize, I will leave you with this video. One fun thing I did get to do lately was attend a bad poetry reading my friend Hillary hosted, where many a horrible poem was read (I also got a picture with Shannon Hale, but that's a story for another day). Here is my hilarious friend Preston reciting "Wannabe" by The Spice Girls. Funniest thing of the month. You're welcome.
So I've already listed what I'm looking forward to in 2013 in regards to my personal life, but I couldn't forget the wealth of entertainment goodies that will come out this year. Here's the top 10 things I'm looking forward to, in list of when they'll occur. Hopefully they live up to expectations.
1. 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards (tomorrow at 6 p.m., NBC)
Usually the Golden Globes, aka the poor man's Academy Awards, would never make this list. But this year Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are hosting. These two comedic goddesses can make anything thing shine, including my desire to see a three-hour awards show.
2. The Following (January 21, FOX) and Cult (February 19, CW)
I have a weird fascination with cults. Not that I'll ever join one (although some would say otherwise regarding my particular religion), but I think the psychology behind them is really interesting. When TV shows do a cult episode (Veronica Mars, Dollhouse) most people find them hacky, but I actually quite enjoy them. So two TV shows based around the twisted aspects of cult mentality sound right up my alley. The Following was created by Kevin Williamson (Dawson's Creek, The Vampire Diaries) and has been getting rave reviews so far. Not much has been said about Cult, but the trailers for it look creepy and fun and it stars the wonderful Matt Davis. So we'll see how both of these turn out.
3. Series finales of The Office (May, NBC) and 30 Rock (January 31, NBC)
"In five years we'll all either be working for him, or dead by his hand" - Jack Donaghy, speaking of Kenneth Parcell in a 2007 episode of 30 Rock.
With the end of 30 Rock, The Office, and most likely Community, the great NBC Thursday night comedy block as we know it will end. 30 Rock has always been one of my favorite shows, and this last season has been one of its best. I'll be very sad to see Jack, Liz, Kenneth, and the others go. The Office, let's face it, should have ended two seasons ago, but it's been such a big part of my life that I feel like I'll be losing an old friend when Dunder Mifflin closes its doors for good.
RIP NBC Comedy.
4. Community season 4 (February 4, aka October 19)
I don't really need an explanation for this, do I?
5. Frightened Rabbit's new album, Pedestrian Verse (February 5)
Ever since Syd took me to their concert down in Newport four years ago, I've become a big fan of these Scottish sad-sacks. Their past two albums have been great and I really enjoyed their recent EP, "State Hospital." So I have no worries that this new album will be fantastic as well.
Don't really need an explanation for this one either. Although the news that season 4 will be less a season than a string of character studies does make me more cautiously optimistic. Let's just hope they haven't made a huge mistake or blue themselves with this one.
7. Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing (June 7)
Joss Whedon. My favorite Shakespeare comedy. Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, and Nathan Fillion. Enough said.
8. Monsters University (June 21)
I LOVED Monsters Inc. And Pixar needs its comeback movie, as much as it shames me to say it (Let me work for you and I won't ever say those things again, Pixar! I love you!). The trailer for it looks promising, and it will be fun, if nothing else, to hang with Mike and Sully again for a couple of hours.
9. Finding out the name of Kim Kardashian's baby (June-ish)
Pure schadenfreude. Jay-Z is Kanye's rival after all, so I'm really looking forward to how they're going to top Blue Ivy...
10. Catching Fire (November 22)
I really liked The Hunger Games movie, probably more so than the book (I liked Jennifer Lawrence's portrayal of Katniss more than the whiner in the book). Catching Fire is mostly just a rehash of The Hunger Games, but I like pretty much everyone involved with it and could think of worse ways to spend two hours.
Ahhh, a brand new year. Thank goodness we're all still alive, right? Sorry, know that joke is old, but the world does seem somewhat empty now that there's no lurking conspiracy around the corner. Someone hurry and think of some new civilization-ending plan. I'll feel much better about myself.
Anyway. School starts tomorrow, so of course instead of getting my schedule finalized and books purchased, I am blogging! A great omen of things to come, I'm sure.
It's already been acknowledged that 2012 was a pretty great year. Here's hoping 2013 will be even better. Here's what I'd like to have happen:
My 2013 Resolutions!
Graduate from college. All signs indicate that this one will actually happen. As long as I show up to 50 percent of my classes, they can't fail me in my last semester. Right?
Lose dat weight. For real, this is going to happen.
Conquer The Big Apple. I guess now is as good a time as any to announce that I got accepted into BYU's New York Internship Program! I'm accepting on the condition that I will be placed at an agency that can take me full-time afterwards. Yes, this means that I will most likely be living in New York in the spring. And hopefully for years after that as well. I'm excited but also slightly terrified.
Go to every remaining BYU basketball game. (In conjunction with Ashley Anderson)
Read more books. My list of books read last year was horribly pathetic. Granted, I spent most of my free time watching TV, but it's still unacceptable. Hopefully once I graduate I'll have time for quality literature. First on the list: The Revolution Was Televised by Alan Sepinwall, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson. I would also love your suggestions!
Actually meet a celebrity at Sundance this year. James Franco, I'm looking at you.
Cut back on the caffeine. This will help when I leave the MCTO and its fridge stocked full of Dr. Peppers. (Who am I kidding, I'm the reason they're there in the first place.)
Make out with 20 boys. That one's a joke. I think. I'm tired, ok?
And of course, we have my obligatory pop culture "Best Of"
lists. It was actually harder than I thought to narrow these down, but
Top 10 lists require ruthlessness. So here it is.
Best Albums of 2012
10. The Heavy, The Glorious Dead
9. Passion Pit, Gossamer
8. Japandroids, Celebration Rock
7. Two Door Cinema Club, Beacon
6. Frank Ocean, channel ORANGE
5. Of Monsters and Men, My Head Is An Animal
4. Fun., Some Nights
3. The Killers, Battle Born
2. Mumford and Sons, Babel
1. Imagine Dragons, Night Visions/Continued Silence EP
- Imagine Dragons wins number one since they were my most played artist this year by far. Definitely my go-to band when I wanted to de-stress or needed a pick-me-up, which was like, all the time.
Best Films of 2012
10. Looper
9. The Hunger Games
8. Lincoln
7. The Queen of Versailles
6. Beasts of the Southern Wild
5. Life of Pi
4. Wreck-It Ralph
3. Silver Linings Playbook
2. The Avengers
1. Moonrise Kingdom Best TV Shows of 2012
10. Bunheads
9. Louie
8. Breaking Bad
7. Revenge
6. New Girl
5. The Legend of Korra
4. Parenthood
3. Parks and Recreation
2. The Vampire Diaries
1. Community Best Books I Read This Year
I didn't read that many books this year, but luckily the ones I did read were pretty good.
7. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
6. The Chocolate Wars by Robert Cormier
5. Son by Lois Lowry
4. The Diviners by Libba Bray
3. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? And Other Concerns by Mindy Kaling
2. The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
- Deserves every award it will win this next year. It's a book about cancer, yet not overly sentimental. But it still had me in tears. Just a really real book about kids in a situation they can't control. Just stellar.
With the end of 30 Rock, The Office, and most likely Community, the great NBC Thursday night comedy block as we know it will end. 30 Rock has always been one of my favorite shows, and this last season has been one of its best. I'll be very sad to see Jack, Liz, Kenneth, and the others go. The Office, let's face it, should have ended two seasons ago, but it's been such a big part of my life that I feel like I'll be losing an old friend when Dunder Mifflin closes its doors for good.
RIP NBC Comedy.