The Eighty One-th

I wasn't that excited for this years Academy Awards, because let's face it. 2008 was a sucktastic year for movies. I hadn't seen most of the nominees, and none of them were surrounded by extremely positive buzz. It was mostly "pretty good" films in a sea of "astoundingly mediocre".


The Academy was definitely feeling the pressure, as seen by the amount of press they were putting into advertising this years "changes". Some were good, some were disappointing, and overall it was a solid meh. I watched to see Ledger win the first posthumous Oscar, and that's about it. But I did get caught up in some things. It's the movies. I dare you not to.

First off, Hugh Jackman. Oh Hugh. Yes, you are the sexiest man alive, according to a questionable magazine that apparantly has the last word on attraction. He wasn't bad as a host, managing to be at least as funny as the last Stewart run. I loved his confidence, especially in the first number where I laughed out loud at the milk carton Batpod, Anne Hathaway (yes! Don't judge. You chuckled at the potential Frost/Nixon forbidden love too), and the complete lack of anything pertinant to The Reader. His enthusiasm for song and dance got a tad old after a while, especially with the whole "musicals are back!" rigamarole. Once Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens got on stage, I was ready for a return to the old formula of showcasing the Best Song Nominees--sidenote, I really missed that part. I loved getting fully acquainted with the songs, and the mash up right before announcing the winner didn't do it for me.

But as long as we're talking about Zac and Vanessa, let's get to my main complaint about the 81st Annual Academy Awards. Where the crap were the freaking celebrities?!? It looked like the first row was packed with all the nominees, and the entire theater behind them was full of faceless extras, or sound and editing people. And most importantly, WHERE WAS JACK NICHOLSON????? It's just not an awards show without Jackie Boy sitting front row center, wearing those sunglasses that allow him to look both old man creepy and lecherously cool. I mean if it wasn't for a nomination, I bet Meryl Streep wouldn't even be there. The whole thing had a B-list feel that left me feeling dirty and cheap. I mean Zac and Vanessa? Miley Cyrus? Robert "Edward" Pattinson? Apparently teenage girls wrote the guest list. Please, kill me now. Even Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie looked more stiff and uncomfortable than usual. And that's saying something.

Also, my last complaint (maybe)... Sean Penn? Again? Hasn't the man won enough? We get it Sean. You're edgy, and outspoken, and take dangerous roles and pull them off. Bully for you. But I wanted it to be Mickey Rourke's turn. I don't really know why, but I was rooting for that man to win in the worst way. It's not like I've seen The Wrestler, or really have any intention of seeing it. But America loves a success story. Just look at Robert Downey Jr. We are estatic when someone makes a spectacular comeback, and man was Rourke's one for the ages. Plus, I really wanted to see a randy hobo pimp accept the Oscar. Please Academy? Couldn't you have done this one for me?

But the Awards were not without their charm. The majority of presenters was full of inspired groupings. I have a slight crush on Jack Black, and dug the easy way he and Jennifer Aniston (who is totally hot, even though she feels some need to validate that fact all the time) interacted. And the ever elegant Natalie Portman and Ben Stiller. Who doesn't a love a well placed Joaquin Phoenix jab? I know I sure do. And I secretly want Tina Fey and Steve Martin to run away together and make small bundles of hilarity. But the definite highlight was the montage set to Pineapple Express. I don't think I've laughed so hard at a contrived awards show sketch in my life. I almost died at James Franco's sudden thoughtful expression after the Milk kiss. And a lauded cinematographer saying "suck it"? Priceless.

Finally, a quick runthrough of the wins that brought me joy. When Wall-E won I nearly jumped out of my chair. I was so nervous about all the Kung-Fu Panda upset predections, and it's great to see that the Academy didn't deprive Pixar of an award they fully deserved, especially after the Best Picture snub. Also, I was fully expecting Gus van Sant to win for director, and LOVED it when Danny Boyle won instead. His films are always a little odd with plenty of quiet beauty (even when it involves running from Rage infected "zombies"), and I was pleased to see someone so beneath the radar take home the big prize. And then there's Kate Winslet, looking gorgeous and humble and honestly so pleased to receive this honor. I loved her speech, loved her dress, just loved her.

Still, this year was kind of a bummer, with no tense anticipation or real competition. The overall feel was apathy, and that does not make for a great Oscar show. But the previews for upcoming movies gave me hope for the 82nd Academy Awards. With Public Enemies, Up, Watchmen, and my personal favorite, 500 Days of Summer opening soon, there should actually be some shows worth watching this year. I can't wait.

Summer Lust

I long to sit in grass

enveloped in green ... yes,
that's the right word.
Emerald, with three syllables
and proper vowels is too cloying.
Verdant is better, but still borders
on lengthy, that extra
step that sinks the foot of description
into the slushy gutter
of overkill.
No, I'll stick with
green.
Fresh and bright, pure
crayon and light. Bursting
through closed eyelids with
it's warmth and smell,
like the new cut grass
on which I wish to rest.

From the Desk of a Bored Office Worker

Well, it's the casualist of casual Fridays here in the workplace. The main supervisor is gone for the day, so the minions can play. I suggested ordering pizza and having a dance party to celebrate, which I still think is a great idea, but no one else got on board. Some people have no sense of freedom.


Random thought #1: I kind of love being facebook friends with my oldest brother. We don't know each other at all, and now I'm discovering he is amazing. And listens to music I would never have expected. I'm loving the "rebel rocker" Chris. Thanks!

Random thought #2: Poets are endlessly inspiring. Today for the English Department Reading Series, Natasha Saje did a reading and WOW. I swear every poem expressed a thought I've had but could never express, and now there it was! Out in the open! Written in a wry manner that embraced allusions and mere word meanings to the greatest power possible! In other words, it's back baby. The poetry is calling me, so expect feeble attempts soon.

Random thought #3: Ugh. Never mind. I don't want to think about it.

Random thought #4: My new favorite saying? "This should be a Seinfeld episode". Uttered by an advisor after we had debated for a half hour over whether to ticket someone who had held a parking pass overtime, only to discover they had already turned it in. Classic.

Random thought #5: I've discovered the key to a incredibly great nights sleep. Listen to Glen Hansard as you drift off to dreamland and I swear on my still living mother's grave you will have the sweetest slumber in the world.

Random thought #6: This post doesn't have any substance whatsoever, but I am trying to write more, so there you go. And here's something for no reason.Have a great weekend!

Facebook is getting all KINDS of personal

I've heard so many complaints about the ads on Facebook. Via statuses (stati?), friends have whined because they've gotten too many ads about dating, political rallies, concerts that are out of their area, honestly, the possibilities are endless and apparantly always annoying. I've never minded them. Sometimes they'd catch my interest, leading me to new vintage stores or Beatles sites. Other than those, I've been able to successfully ignore them.

Until this one caught my eye:

Single Obama Fans
Meet passionate single Obama fans (First 10,000 accounts are free).

First off, I'm not even sure how they knew I was an Obama fan. I'm only listed as a moderate. Creepy! Also, that is possibly the most hilarious picture they could have used for that ad. It seems so inappropriate, I love it. I guess passion and Obama just go hand in hand. It makes sense. You like Obama? Hey, me too! Let's run away together.

On a completely unrelated note, today while I was at work some serious questionable behavior happened. I was bending down to get a file, and one of the aged female advisors smacked my butt. And I thought leaving the Cannon Center would end the sexual harrassment. Oh well.

Livin' On A Prayer

Here's to 2009 everyone. A year I surprisingly feel optimistic about. The past year held joy, discovery, hardship, and many many firsts. I hope this one will be as adventurous and memorable. To all those in (and out) of my life, I wish you the best. The last of the double zeros will be epic!

Revenge of the Obssesion

So here's the truth. Lately I've been in a bit of a music rut. I blame my massive disgust with hipster culture (even now I can feel all of 2nd and 3rd in SLC waving their middle finger at me). These self-indulgent yuppies almost soured my passion for music, as I suffered an identity crisis that left me wondering whether I really liked certain songs or if I was just another poser.

I managed to take a step back and evaluate my life. What did I come away with? Some simple facts: I'm not wearing skinny jeans and an excess of eyeliner, I don't own a fixed gear bike, and waifish guys with ironic mustaches are not attractive to me. I think I'm safe from hipsterdom. While some aspects intrigue me (bangs, awesome scarves, and an affinity for acoustic jams), those are distinctly me, not some attempt to fit into the latest slacker wannabe fad. So suck it monkeys. The music I listen to exists because it appeals to me, not because it is super underground and gives me some questionable cred.

Anyway, let me get off of my rant and back to the point. After a semester of reliving Weezer and Radiohead obessesions, I've been desperate for at least one new track to wear smooth with repeats. This week I found a few (and rediscovered old favorites), so I introduce my playlist of the week, songs I've been jamming and shaking my groove thang to as I walk down the street to campus. I'm sure I've given random passers by quite a show.

1. The Sound, Human Highway
2. Penny Waiting on Change, Homemade Jamz Blues Band
3. I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance, Black Kids
4. Dancing Days, Led Zeppelin
5. Die Alone, Ingrid Michaelson
6. Bury Me With It, Modest Mouse
7. When the River Meets the Sea, John Denver & the Muppets
8. Lost in the Supermarket, The Clash
9. Hustle Beach, Baby Teeth
10. Accelerated Dickery, the Delicious

Ew

So I'm kind of grossed out because I found a hair on my toothbrush tonight. While it was in my mouth.
By "kind of" I mean "extremely", and by "grossed out", I mean "close to vomiting".