When I got my first real job in 2001, I treated myself to a DVD player and two DVDs. One was my all-time fave, When Harry Met Sally. The other was Center Stage. As far as I’m concerned, this is the cheesy dance movie to end all cheesy dance movies. It follows young ballerina Jody and her friends (including figure skater Ilia Kulik and pre-household name Zoe Saldana) through their first year at the American Ballet Academy in NYC. Along the way they cope with bad turn-out, philandering boyfriends, rivalries, eating disorders… everything you would expect to encounter in a movie about ballet. They also do some awesome dancing.
I want to attend that class! Also, only in NYC could you find this many men not only willing to dance, but able to dance well.
I realize this is my second Favorite Movie in a row featuring Peter Gallagher (he plays the head of the ballet company), but what can I say – I find him and his eyebrows endearing.
I know I’ve posted the movie’s finale performance before, but it’s worth sharing again. I could do without the bedroom scene, but other than that it is FANTASTIC, and I love the music.
In the end, Center Stage is about figuring out who you are, and throwing off everything that keeps you from dancing. :)
3 Comments + Posted in: movies
Not long ago, I was crazy about fashion blogs, and so were many of my friends. They provided helpful information on dressing for your body type (something every woman should know – it’s so easy and makes the biggest difference in your overall look). They showcased regular women applying the latest trends in an achievable way. They told us where to find the most bang for our bucks. They gave us ideas for using stuff we already owned in new ways. It was exciting. When we put together outfits that one of them would approve, we felt a sense of accomplishment.
But those days are in the past for me. Only a few fashion blogs are left in my Google Reader, and sometimes I consider dropping even those. Maybe I changed, or the tone of the blogs changed – I think it was a little of both. Either way, instead of inspiring me, they started to stress me out. I couldn’t put on certain Non-Approved things that I personally like (i.e. Ugg boots) without hearing critical voices in my head. I seriously started to feel ashamed for exercising and doing yard work in old 5K T-shirts. Or when I had to stop in at the Neighborhood Market on the way home from yoga. Because, as one blogger writes repeatedly, there is no excuse for not looking your absolute best at all times! And if you ever let your guard down and go somewhere looking less than perfect, that’s when you’ll run into an ex and he’ll think how right he was to break up with you. (I’m not making this stuff up.) In addition, closely keeping up with fashion is a lot of expensive, time-consuming work. I see now that it contributed to my excessive shopping habits. I’m not saying that all or even most fashion blogs have an attitude (or that those who do have one intentionally), but they all blended into a high-pressure soup for me.
Basically, my feelings about fashion blogs have become the same as my feelings about Dave Ramsey. Their basic principles are great and have helped many people to help themselves, and for that reason I’m glad they exist. But if you really buy into the philosophy, you will become unhealthily obsessed and neglect other important aspects of life. I LOVE fashion. I’m a much more confident woman because I know how to flatter my body and express creativity through clothing. The positive effect of that on the female psyche cannot be underestimated. But there are many moments in life when looking your best is NOT the most important thing. When you don’t have to put in 110%. When it’s acceptable and even correct to step away from the mirror and reset your priorities. And if your ex uses that as a reason to be glad he’s not with you, well, that’ll remind you why he’s your ex. :P
To end on an ironic note, here’s a picture of my outfit today. :) I got this skirt for $11 at New York and Company (during a five-minute visit) and I am IN LOVE.
PS: One fashion blog I will never drop is New Dress A Day. No pressure or snobbery – just thriftiness, creativity, and fun! I wish I could sew like that.
3 Comments + Posted in: beauty, fashion
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
This is a dark novel about two extremely eating-disordered girls, one of whom launches off the deep end after the other dies. I know that a book about mental illness is well written if it makes me start feeling mentally ill. :\ I’m not sure why I read it, other than it’s mentioned sometimes on book blogs.
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
This second book in the Caster series was packed full of surprises and revelations! It built up and delivered on the mythology while still leaving plenty to be explored. Although Ethan and Lena are still the focus, there’s a lot more weight on the supporting characters, which I liked. I’m not sure how long the series is expected to be, but THIS is how you write a sequel! I have to say, some key plot elements reminded me of New Moon, but it seemed appropriate since this is the “Southern Twilight.” :) And they were far less annoying than in New Moon.
The Summer I Turned Pretty and It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
I never expected to be so taken in by these books. In the first, Belly has spent every summer of her life with her mom, her mom’s best friend Susannah, and Susannah’s two sons at a New England beach house. But this summer, everything is changing. This book is refreshing and somehow comforting, and the characters are realistic and likable. I related to Belly in some ways, even though I’m twice her age. :\ The second book is set a year later, after tragedy strikes, and Belly tries to help the boys pick up the pieces while dealing with her own confused feelings. I finally gave in and ordered the last book, because I can’t wait any longer to find out how it ends!
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
I enjoyed this so much! It’s a YA novel about Ginny, who is sent on a wild goose chase around Europe guided only by letters from her free-spirited aunt, who has recently, unexpectedly died. It was unfortunate that I read this so soon after seeing Taken, because every time Ginny befriended a stranger, I was worried for her safety. :) But it’s a fun, touching, relatable story. It would make a great movie – Kate Hudson would be a perfect Aunt Peg, in flashback.
Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo
A novel about a woman with a martyrdom complex who goes to Oxford to present her sister’s paper at a Pride and Prejudice conference. It was okay, but I think there was too much backstory. The payoff moments were mostly based on past events that the reader never saw, some of which weren’t fully explained. It made me feel disconnected, and I generally had trouble warming up to the main character.
The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman
When I saw this in the library, I was just thrilled that Polly Shulman wrote another book. The subject was beside the point – I would read an electronics manual if Polly Shulman wrote it. Thankfully, this novel is much more exciting. It involves fairy tales and a magical library, but has the same fresh and current feeling as Enthusiasm (one of my favorite books). Her characters are always lovably quirky and diverse, and you can totally see yourself hanging out with them. I loved it!!!
Books for May: 7
2011 year to date: 35
PS: I was forced to return Beth Moore’s amazing So Long, Insecurity to the library before finishing it, but a copy of my own is on the way, and you WILL be hearing more about it.
PPS: As someone who laughed and cried her way through four Traveling Pants books, HOW am I so late in hearing about this? It comes out in two weeks!
It’s an adult novel that picks up ten years after the last book. I’m hopeful for a better where-are-they-now than Sweet Valley Confidential (which I haven’t hurried to read because I heard it was awful).
2 Comments + Posted in: book reviews, reading
Throughout the month of June, I will be participating in the 30 Day Journal Challenge at Run With Scissors. I have a new blank book and a new pack of Papermate Flair pens ready to go. :) I’ve enjoyed being more creative in my thankfulness journal, so when a few friends told me they were doing this, I decided to get on board. I’ve never art journaled before, and I’m sure I’ll miss a few days and have to make them up later. But embracing imperfection is one of my new life goals, after all.
Again, the challenge starts today, so it’s not too late to join up if you’re interested!
How was everyone’s Memorial Day weekend? Mine was full of unexpected fun and excitement!
I went to the Sunset Symphony with Alanna and several other friends. I hadn’t been in years and was excited to go! We enjoyed an air show, fireworks, a huge picnic of delicious things (I think I ate half a brick of Brie), and analysis/complaint of the remixed 1812 Overture. :) Happiness!
On Sunday I took a VERY spontaneous trip to Nashville to see my sister, and go with her to Myla‘s first-ever performance at the historic Bluebird Cafe! It was an awesome experience, and Myla was by far the best of all the performers. I was happy to be present at this big moment in her career. :) The Bluebird itself was really cool, and I recommend it if you’re looking for something to do in Nashville. Aside from the good music and atmosphere, the food is wonderful.
For the last few weeks, I’ve felt very isolated and thought I might lose it if I didn’t get some real social interaction soon. The negatives of my current status have been overwhelming, and my freedom hasn’t seemed so great. But after this weekend, I’m back in “My life is awesome!” mode. As long as I have fun and/or edifying things to do, and great people to do them with, I’m content!
2 Comments + Posted in: friends, memphis, nashville