Life Without Facebook, Part 1

I gave it up for Lent.

I know.

It was the thing most people gave up for Lent. I thought it might be popular, but Jesus…really, people?

I also thought it would be a lot harder than it actually is. On Mardi Gras, when people were partying and getting schwasted…I was deleting the Facebook app from my phone and quick links bar on my laptop. It was sad. I ate Taco Bell afterward.

I thought I would have all this extra time. In reality, I’m wondering what in the fuck I’m doing with all the extra time I don’t seem to have. Maybe Facebook wasn’t the time waster I thought it was? Maybe I’ve replaced it with reading?

I started reading a new series of books. The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. Very engaging and intense. Since Lent started, I’ve read the first two novels in the series totaling a staggering 1,797 pages…that’s a lot of pages for a person in college. I must have some sort of natural time management skill…or just like stress management of STEEL. I don’t really know. It’s something though, cause I’m clearly not failing school.

Anyways, so yeah. The hardest part of not having Facebook is, without a doubt, the duty shifts. Five hours is a really long time without something to whittle away the hours. I’ve noticed an increase in self-talk. I’ve always talked to myself…but it’s been pretty bad lately. Cutting down on the social networking is messing with my sense of isolation. The talking helps keep me sane, while ironically making me look insane.

Oh well. In lieu of my constant posts on Facebook, do we want a little ATM? ‘KAY!

MUSIC

I know people don’t like this song…BUT I LOVE IT SO GET OVER IT. This is the “Country Road Version”. Whatever that means. I guess it has some blues feel or whatever. I like the vocals.

ZOMG I LOVE DARREN CRISS. Basically, this is my favorite episode EVER of Glee, and this is my favorite song of the episode. So there. Deal with it.

I wouldn’t, no, I couldn’t do a post without Adele right now. She’s amazing. Like my whole world. Her album, 21, is fantastic. I can’t stress enough your need to stop everything you’re doing right now and buy it. Like, NOW. (Side Note: Her house is beautiful, non?)

MOVIES

There isn’t a single movie that I want to see right now. That’s sad. Well, maybe Hanna.

BOOKS

THIS BOOK OMFG.

So, I know it’s for realz nerdy, but it’s historical-romance-sci-fi-fiction. It makes me want to go to Scotland. I’ve cried in both Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber.

I think that’s all for now, dearies. It’s 2:30 AM. I’m starting Voyager tonight, the third book in the Outlander series. TOODLES <3

P.S. This post is dedicated to Kelsey…because you made me.

Kelsey is going to kill me.

There will be a post on this blog sometime tomorrow…it might be night…so you might look for it Friday morning.

Don’t worry Kelz. Demands will be met. Soon.

“These are dark times, there is no denying.”

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

Also, this could be lengthy. Just so you know.

This is my Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 movie review. If you haven’t read the book, watched he movie, or don’t wish it all to be ruined…

DO NOT READ THIS POST.

And so it begins...

Have you seen it? Did you love it?! It was the best by far. Like, not only were the effects and whatever amazing, but the acting(!), the ACTING was the best! Do you remember Sorcerer’s Stone? Remember when DanRad had no idea what crying on camera meant?! They’ve come so far. All of that alone made me sort of want to cry…or perhaps jump for joy in the middle of the theatre. I’ve seen it twice now, and I plan on going again. Trust.

But, for the serious things. Good, then bad? Bad, then good? Ehh, I’ll go good then bad because the good SO OUTWEIGHS the bad.

Update? Do you care?

This is my life. It's not that glamorous.

So, I’ve been….absent for a few months. School sort of does this to me. I get into a groove over the summer and it gets royally fucked when I come back to school. Basically, my day goes as such: class, more class, even more class, (maybe) nap, food, TV. I’ve been watching a shitload of TV. I’ve tried to read…but I just can’t get my brain to focus. I think it has something to do with all the academic work I’m doing in school. Eighteen hours is a bitch. Not like next semester is going to be any better with 17 hours, but I like to think that extra hour of freedom really means something.

Anyone can get dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress in their days off that are most intriguing.  -Alexander Wang

Is it intriguing that I don’t remember the last time I wore something other than sweats?

Anyways, lemme tell you about some of my time wasters of late. I have watched 5 seasons of Bones, a season of Glee, half a season of Heroes, some Friday Night Lights, a lot of YouTube videos, and I’ve read ZERO books. I attribute this to the fact that I think all day, and would rather veg out than sit and read for comprehension. It only proves that visual media is for lesser life forms. (Is that offensive? Probs….sorry. I’ve been doing a lot of research lately about The Daily Oklahoman in the 1920s when every column was an opinion column. I’ve lost the capacity to think before speaking.) Anyways, most recently I’ve been watching Glee. A lot of Glee. I watched all the episodes, I downloaded all the songs. I’m listening to the Spring Awakening soundtrack right now. Jonathan Groff is

Jonathan Groff and Lea Michelle. TALENTED MOTHERFUCKERS.

a talented motherfucker. If ever there was a musical I needed to see, it would be this one. I mean…it’s based on the play from 1891 of the same name. They share many things in common, like teen pregnancy, abortion, death, homosexuality, and some excellent Latin learning. What’s not to love?! It won 8 Tonys. That’s a winner in my book.

Speaking of talented motherfuckers, my sister is the lead in her high school’s musical this weekend. You wanna taste of what it might be like? Yeah. She’s that good. When this was filmed, she was only 14. Only a year ago. She’s…and you’re not going to believe this word is coming out of my mouth because it’s a pretentious fucking word…SENSATIONAL. This is my shoutout for her because she’s funny and I love her and she’s the most talented chick nug I’ve ever seen in my life.

Well now that you know what I’ve been doing, let me tell you what I’m going to do in the near future…

If you even had to ask but,

harry freakin’ potter.

Thursday night. Will be at the theatre at 9. See you there.

Thanksgiving is coming up, maybe I’ll blog at home? I’ll be doing some serious writing for my history seminar, but I can probs sneak in a post or too. My review of HP7.1 will be tops on the list. If we’re friends on Facebook, you might remember my HP6 movie review…it was pretty comprehensive. People liked it.

Harry freakin’ Potter reminds me….DID YOU SEE DARREN CRISS ON GLEE?? They’re making him a regular, because he’s that fantastic. He sang Teenage Dream for Kurt. TEENAGE DREAM IS MY FAVORITE SONG. It was the perfect episode for Alex. See video below. Amazing, non? I haven’t watched the new ep yet. I’m thinking there will be a Kurt/Blaine update every so often, because on the Christmas album, they sing Baby, It’s Cold Outside, which is my favorite Christmas song. I have like 67 versions of it. I’m leaving you with this.

PEACE NUGS.

I am fail.

Long time, no see! I know. I said that school wouldn’t affect me, but clearly it totally has. I don’t really know what I was thinking taking 18 hours and thinking that I would just keep on keeping on.

I mean, it’s a little more than just class….well…let’s break it down. I’ll fill you in on what I’ve been doing lately and then you can decide whether my lack of posting is justified.

So I go to class. A lot of class. Even though I’m only enrolled in 18 hours, I’m technically in class 21 hours a week. That’s like a part-time job in itself. Then there’s the study/homework time. Which I don’t even want to calculate. Throey goes pretty slow, so does aural skills, then there’s practicing and reading, and then Latin…which deserves it own sort of study category.

On top of class, I’m sitting duty for 10 hours a week. Granted, I can do things while I’m on duty, but generally I can’t concentrate and end up not doing anything except watching TV or talking to people.

Outside of school and work, I’m starting RCIA. Two hours of Church every Tuesday. I’m finally getting my Catholic confirmation, which I’m really excited about, even though it’s time consuming. Plus, I do Zumba two nights a week, and an occasional yoga class.

Oh right, and I sleep sometimes too.

Anyways, I’m just explaining where I’ve been for the ridiculous amount of time it’s been since I’ve posted anything on here. Not whining. Or complaining. At least, not really. I could…but I won’t.

NOW. After all that, I think it’s time for a little surprise mini-ATM.

MUSIC

“My Chick Bad”, Ludacris feat. Nicki Minaj

It’s Nightmare on Elm Street, and guess who’s playin’ Freddie? Basically this line sums up why I love this song. Nicki Minaj is a badass. Plus, I’ve had this sort of long time love for Luda. He’s one of my faves.

“Like a G6″, Far East Movement feat. The Cataracs & Dev

I went to this “gathering” I suppose you could call it…cause it wasn’t really a party…and this song was played a lot. It has a good beat or whatever. I’m down. Don’t think I could listen to it like all day, but it’s good to get your stress out for 4 minutes while dancing.

“Creep (Radiohead Cover)”, Scala

So, there’s this Belgian girls’ choir called Scala. They do covers of famous songs. Like Creep by Radiohead. If you remember from ATM #2, when I featured the trailer for The Social Network, this song is the background. It’s interesting. I’ve listened to their covers of The Blower’s Daughter by Damien Rice and Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. If you’re into that sort of thing…give it a go.

PEOPLE

Oh, Karen Armstrong. Every time I see her speaking or on TV or something, I feel like she’s my English grandmother. But, really, she’s incredibly intelligent. I own a couple of her books. The History Channel calls upon her service when talking about religion in the Middle Ages because she’s written books on both Christianity (she was a Catholic nun in her former years), and the Islamic faith. It’s interesting that her research and life’s work is devoted to religious history, when her degree is in English Literature. She almost received a DPhil, but was flunked by her examiner. I love her view on world religion. This concept of compassion is universal.

RANDO TIME

This post has a religious theme, non? Let us continue.

Confession: I want patron saint candles.

But I love kitschy crap like that.

ATM #6

It’s that time again! This is At The Moment: Alex’s Current Obsessions #6.

I’m officially moved into my room for the year and am anxiously awaiting the fall semester. Taking 18 hours is going to be rough, but I’m going to get through it. Posting might be slow, but there will be material here. I promise.

MUSIC

“Teenage Dream”, Katy Perry

She’s catchy. I pretty much love all of her songs even though I don’t necessarily understand her as a person. Plus, I really like this video because it kind of has that blue-tinted hipster-vibe, and her glasses…and the really hot guy. I thought it was Alcide from True Blood, and then it wasn’t.

“Secrets”, OneRepublic

So, apparently, this is the catchy addition of ATM because I can’t get this song out of my head. I really love OneRepublic and their latest album is super good. This is kind of one of those songs that gets played all over the place. Like the radio, TV commercials, etc. It’s freelz good. Better than “All the Right Moves”.

“Airplanes”, B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams

Again, I basically sing the chorus of this song like all day. Also, I really like Hayley Williams. Paramore is one of my favorite bands. B.o.B. is pretty good too. Really though, it’s about Hayley. She’s awesome.

TV

Awesome show.

I’ve been watching Huge. It’s actually really good. I’m working on a post about it…which is good because I have nothing else to do with my life right now.

PEOPLE

I’ve basically been scrounging the TED website and I’ve decided that it’s amazing.

This is Elizabeth Gilbert. She wrote Eat, Pray, Love. I haven’t read the book, and I’m not really sure that it’s for me…but her perspective on the creative process and the way to cope with “genius” is rather well…genius. The idea that one success could be the pinnacle of one’s career plagues me. I’m a history major and hope to achieve recognition through academic writing which is damn near impossible. It’s a hard road. I’m not even creating a story of my own and it’s still hard. I feel the pain that creative writer’s endure. Even this whole blogging thing has its moments. I know, I know. I’m totally whining. It’s time to stop. Anyways, yeah watch this lecture cause it’s awesome and inspiring. I wish genius was like Roman genius.

Surprisingly, I’m not hating on anyone this week.

RANDO

Uhm. Can I live here?

LAUREN WON SYTYCD

Tuesdays with Harry: failboat and some news.

So, I’m back at school doing some work training and completely forgot that it’s Tuesday. I’ll share some news today for a little something…but I don’t have any anecdotes today.

Firstly, Emma cut all of her hair off.

LOVE.

There was some rumor that she cut it off to play Lisbeth Salander in Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It came from the UK Sun and her publicist denied it which means I’m going to pretend it didn’t happen because well A) The Sun is a ridiculously unreliable source and B) that would either screw up Lisbeth or fuck up Emma for me. So I don’t want that to happen. At all.

She’s supposedly all about school in the fall which makes me love her Brown University-attending ass just that much more.

DanRad and his interesting clothes entering the wrap party. His last day as Harry freakin' Potter.

The Harry Potter wrap party was a couple nights ago. This means it’s over for a whole lot of people. The production people have been working on nothing but HP for 10 years. What do you do after that? Move on? How can you? Do they live at Hogwarts? Is it all they think about? i mean how do you go from Harry Potter to some other WB film like Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore 3D?

I will never know the answer to this question.

As I sign off of this short ass, deplorable length Tuesdays with Harry, I leave you with something to think about. Someone asked me about my love for HP versus my love for Twilight. I explained it like such: Twilight is like a blowtorch. It demolishes everything in its path quick and messy. It burns real bright and kindles to nothing. Harry Potter is like a brick oven. It burns slow and hot for long periods of time. Twilight’s extinguish time is fast approaching…but I will always love Harry Potter. Always.