Tuesday, September 21, 2010

This American Life

Recently I've begun to develop a terrible habit, I watch too much TV (as made apparent by my recent posts). So when it came time for me to choose what to watch in a moment of boredom, I decided against yet another episode of the always funny The Office or Arrested Development and went with something I had heard my Mom praise before: This American Life. What I then encountered was much more than I could have imagined. After the first episode I resolved to finish the six episode season that day. After I watched the first five episodes of the second season, I waited a couple days to prepare myself for the last episode.

This is a documentary based program where each week they chose a theme and then tell a story on that theme. Theme's of escape, religion, stubbornness, and Pandora's box set up the stage for always remarkable stories. They can take the most simple of stories like the condition of a lawn and make it seem intriguing and beautiful. And they take large stories such as all the stages of life from beginning to end, narrating the delicacies of an individual's story. This show has made me cry, laugh, and consume my thoughts for days. Watching it has made me seriously reconsider my position on the war in Iraq.  It has made me look at non-religious people in a new light. It has made me cry at the power of hate, but even more so cry at the awesome power of faith. It has made me sit in awe at the power of film. And it has made me honestly want to pursue my dreams.

Above all else, after watching This American Life I learned that literally every American has a story to tell. Sometimes when I think of my desire to create documentaries I wonder how I will ever find worth while material, a story worth telling. This American Life shows those stories are literally everywhere. We all have a different story to tell. And that gives me hope.

You can watch this show on Netfilx if you have an account. And if you'd like, I could recommend my favorite episodes to you. I highly recommend it for the sake of content and execution. This show is the best documentary based show I have ever seen. I'm sad to say it only lasted two seasons. Luckily there is a This American Life podcast that I will surely be listening to soon.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Photography Passion

Ever since I can remember I have loved art. I dabbled in different types of art: drawing, guitar, even some singing. But I was never able to find something I was even exceptional at...
   For the last year I've developed a deep passion for photography and film, especially dealing with weddings. Perhaps its related to my fascination I've had since I was a kid with fantasy. Weddings are real magic to me. They are beautiful, romantic, and real...
   Yet I digress...So all my life I've told myself I wasn't good enough. I honestly have always thought that what I loved and enjoyed most, I could never do. Countless times I've looked at photography and watched short films that moved me to tears. And it would break my heart to think I could never achieve that. My thoughts were "I don't have the time, money, and especially not that talent."
   Then last year I went to an art exhibit at BYU-Idaho. There was a piece that sent the message across that self-motivation and perseverance could rule out negativity, doubt, and excuses. I guess it took nearly eight months for that seed of a thought to bloom. But bloom it has! I've decided I'm going to go for it! I love photography and film. It is art. It is magic. And it is my passion!

My digital photography class begins Saturday and I look forward to sharing my work with you!

Thank you so much for the support of my family, friends, and photographers I look up to. I can't explain how much your support means to me. Thank you a thousand times.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Period Pieces


It's definitely no secret (to those who hear me rant) that lately my favorite movies seem to be royalty pieces. My last week in Rexburg my good friends Rachel and Becca and I watched two of my new favorite movies: Young Victoria and Marie Antoinette. Ever since, I can't seem to escape my new love of this genre.

Young Victoria is simply one of my new favorite movies ever. I've seen in three times in little over a month. The acting is spot on. Visually its incredible. The costumes, amazing. And the stories pulls at my heart strings every time. The sincerity of Prince Albert has left me with only one conclusion, I must find and marry someone exactly like him! (I can't help it)  And Queen Victoria's grace and nobility is more than inspiring.  But, moments of insecurity make her real...Please, I implore you to watch this film...and then let me know what you think!
  
Marie Antoinette is delightful. While not as kid appropriate as Young Victoria, I still enjoyed this long frilly Rococo film immensely.  It showed clearly the pressure of an inexperienced and ignorant Queen. I loved that the entire movie is spent exaggerating the hyperbole that was French royal life of the 17th century, while devoting a mere 5 minutes or so to the French Revolution. It shows the utter disassociation between the royal leaders and the French people.

Whats even more interesting, is to watch these movies one right after the other. Marie Antionette compared to Queen Victoria is quite the contrast. Queen Victoria grew up sheltered and manipulated, but when it came time to have responsibility while still a teenager, she walked up to the task with pride and honor. Marie Antionette seemingly found herself married off to the King of France while still a teenager.  She found her responsibilities to redecorating the palace and throwing lavish parties....Well anyways, I think its interesting :)

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Today...

So today I realized once again, I really need another job. Planning to go to BYU next falls puts me in the positions to pay for winter, spring, summer, fall, winter, and spring with no real break. So I'm getting a bit overwhelmed trying to save for the next year and a half withing the next four months.

I love quotes a lot, so I've added a ton!

I've watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer with my little sister and various family members. I'm very nearly completed with season 3. Angel just broke up with Buffy. It made me a little more than upset...I don't think I'm going to watch anymore...Maybe I'll switch to Angel...

I hate not being in school. I can already feel my deep thinking ability dwindling away (possibly due to the amount of Buffy I've been watching). I miss philosophy and being able to think about everything in a new light. I miss humanities and discovering true beauty in the world. And I miss having a solid schedule. I'm kind of going crazy not having that structure.

Anyways, those are some things I thought about today!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Welcome to my world!

Hey Friends! So I've decided to begin a little blog because honestly, I have time to kill lately. The purpose of this blog is to write about whatever I've been thinking, new discoveries I find online, post pictures I've taken, and hopefully keep you entertained! First I'm posting a picture I've been wanting to share with the world for quite some time. Enjoy :)