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Monday, April 30, 2007

A Punch Up At A Wedding (No No No No No No No No)

So what if it's been over a week since I got back from North Carolina...

In preparation for our trip to my cousin's wedding in North Carolina, Ali and I had a few things we put on the agenda to do: go to Sonic, drink a lot of coffee, take advantage of any and all open bars, and to look adorable in our dresses.

As if there was ever any doubt, we accomplished all of our goals. After leaving our house at 4am on Friday we got to the first open Sonic in Rocky Mount, NC at about 9am where we proceeded to order from the lunch menu. It felt weird to order cheeseburgers so early in the morning, but since we had already been up for 6 hours, we were ready for them.

Wilmington welcomed us at about noon where we found the Barnes and Noble for 50% off coffee and a map of the area. Eventually we made our way to our final destination of Southport where we checked into our sweet hotel and were given a bottle of wine and instructions for the evening from my cousin and her fiance.

The instructions gave us the info we needed for the evening's booze cruise/rehearsal dinner, which ended up being about 50 people drinking and partying on a boat before dinner at a local restaurant. Even though Ali and I both partook in the open bar, we were lame-os in comparison to some of the other people around. Let's just say that Ali and I began playing, "Name The Drunkest" at about 11pm.

Skipping over some of the details of the weekend in the interest of keeping this shorter than a novel, we took the ferry over to Bald Head Island at 330pm on Saturday. We had some time to waste before the ceremony at 5pm so Ali and I debated stealing a golf cart to go exploring. See, there are no cars on Bald Head Island and the only way to get around is by golf cart of trams. We got to the church via a tram, but once there, we were sorta stuck. We not only eyed the two abandoned golf carts on the road near us, but even got in the one and were about to turn it on when some woman came out of the church so we jumped out.

The ceremony was gorgeous of course, and I have to thank my two little cousins for helping me to not cry. I held it in while watching everyone walk down the aisle, but just as I could feel myself getting a little misty over it all, the little bambinas (4 and 2.5), broke from their little flower girl personas and I spent the rest of the ceremony willing them to be quiet along with their mom (my cousin). The little boos did such a good job walking down the aisle and standing there, but they're so young, they just don't even comprehend that it's a ceremony. My cousin looked gorgeous, of course, and wore an amazing dress that I practically drooled over. Ali and I think the minister forgot to tell us to sit back down after standing for the bride because we ended up standing for the entire ceremony-is that weird?

The reception, held just down there street was off the hook. Open bar all night (hellloooooo, rum!), amazing food, and a dance floor. Ali and I taught our aunt (the bride's mom) how to verb and seriously cut a rug out there. (I think my feet STILL hurt. But hey, we looked super cute out there.) I even participated when my cousin tossed the bouquet. (Her maid of honor caught it-does it always work out that way? haha!)

We left the island at 11 to catch the last ferry towards the mainland and to go crash since we had to get up at 330am to head back. I, of course, had forgotten I had to play in a concert and needed to be back by 130. The ride back was brutal. Not that we didn't have fun, because of course we did, but because I was beyond exhausted and had to keep eating/drinking/talking/smacking myself in the face to stay awake. Sonic at 8am helped as did the Starbucks later on. And I made it back just in time:)

All in all...an amazing weekend. Check out my pics!

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Cave

I have a lot to update on as it's been a fun-filled weekend. But with fun-filled weekends come very tired Scarlets so the update will have to wait until probably tomorrow night.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Hello/Goodbye

I have been in a few bands in my time, but the one that actually had songs comes with quite the amusing name and story.

I'm not sure which came first, the band name or the idea to start a band, but after BG found out I had a guitar, he decided I would be the band's new guitarist. We were a bit unorthodox with two singers and one guitar player who didn't know how to play.

I remember the night before our first scheduled band practice when I went with my friends to see Elliott Smith and Granddaddy play at the 930 Club in DC. Realizing my guitar knowledge was limited at best, I took to watching the guitarists that night as closely and as intently as I could. I thought that maybe I would become a better player by focusing on their technique.

Well, I don't know what I was thinking, because the next afternoon we gathered in my dorm room to write our first song, "Beth Comes Ripping." BG explained what the song was about, but he's crazy so I didn't even try to understand his references to "the thunderdome" and who, exactly, Beth was. And not only did I not know how to play the guitar, but I was embarassed to do so in front of them. With my position in the band on the line, though, I picked up my axe*, ready to play. BS taught me what power chords to play and we were off! We had our first song.

And our last.

But it was a good song and we even talked about taking it on the road. Or at least to the Underground, which is Mary Washington's coffee shop/small venue for music. A few days later I asked what the inspiration for the song was and BG explained that he had looked at an apartment down the street to rent that was inhabited by a girl named Beth. Apparently the apartment was dubbed "The Thunderdome" for whatever reason and I guess she was hott. I'm not sure, really. Remember that BG is crazy**.

We never did play our song live and now, six years later, I can't even remember why we stopped working on it. Somewhere, in my old computer backups is a sound file of BS playing the guitar part and BG singing the lyrics. I'm telling you, one day that file is going to be worth millions. "Beth Comes Ripping" is a long lost hit that never got its chance.




And that is the story of my band, Hello Shitty.




*Actually, just an acoustic guitar I had gotten for Christmas the year before. I didn't get my real axe (electric) until Christmas of that year.
**So many other stories to tell.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Anyone Can Play Guitar

I haven't even picked up the guitar in years. I got busy or something. And then lately, when I have had time to practice, I figure I should practice my clarinet since that is what I play in orchestra.

But tonight I got my acoustic out of the case, tuned it up (by ear, of course;) and gave it a few strums to see what I remembered.


Not much.


BUT, just a few clicks on google and I had reminded myself how to play "Disarm" and "Everlong"...shut up, I know they're 'cliche'. And that F bar chord? Oh yeah, I've still got it*! I'm kind of inspired. We'll see what I tackle tomorrow!


XO,
SVR


*Note: "It" is not anything spectacular. I am not a good guitar player and never really was. I was decent for awhile, but was never good at playing by ear and would get frustrated when I wasn't good immediately.

If You Were Me

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Everybody Knows That You Are Insane

It might be time for this....


More Things To Know About Me:

  • If I say "Just kidding", it's a lie.
  • 90% of my flirting is based on truth and I would back it up with actions. (Unless it's really out there, but you should be able to tell, right?)
  • If you think I'm flirting with you, I probably am.
  • Not everything I say is a joke.
  • If I feel as though I have annoyed someone, I will do a 180 in behavior...or I just will shut down*
  • If I am made to feel stupid or feel stupid in a situation, I will shut down.
  • I hate to do errands. I will put off forever tasks like going to the bank, post office, and gas station.
  • I like to be the center of attention, but only when I am in control of it.
  • I speak quickly.
  • My mind moves even faster.
  • If I even suspect the bread will be mushy, I will not eat it.
  • Scraping off the sour cream is not enough. I will not eat it.
  • I hate to be told what to do. I do deal with this since it's necessary sometimes.
  • If I'm about to cry...I most likely will:(
  • I cry when frustrated. Not sad.
  • Cheese and ketchup do not mix.
  • I hate for people to ask me "What's wrong?" but I do want them to wonder what's wrong and then to try to make me happy again. I think one of my facial expressions comes across as "Oh Gawd! Things Suck!" when it's supposed to be "I'm Deep In Thought And Perplexed".
  • Sometimes I laugh at jokes I don't get.
  • Sometimes I cause a screeching halt to the fun because I say, "I don't get it" in response to a joke.
  • I will use honey mustard with everything.
  • I hypocritically hate hypocrites.

XO,
SVR


*That sounds way more melodramatic than it really is.

Monday, April 23, 2007

A Question Mark

I'm uploading pics tomorrow and will use them in my North Carolina post. Until then, enjoy the following!

Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me.''
I respond by asking you five personal questions
(I will leave these questions for you in my comments)
so I can get to know you better.
If I already know you well, expect the questions may be a little more intimate!
You will update your journal/bloggy thing/whatever, with the answers to the questions
(please don't leave your answers in my comments unless you don't have a blog).
You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the post.
When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

From Pam:

1. Your E-Boos create a Miss Scarlet List - what do they write?

Top 7.5 Things We Love About Scarlet (Go ahead and leave your answers in the comments, hah)

2. You're on the cover of a magazine - which one and what is the caption?

Ummm, US Weekly and it says, "Scarlet wins billion dollar lottery and snags Brad Pitt!"

3. What do you want to know about the future?

Nothing. Knowing would scare me. Like, if I found out something then I would feel all "butterfly effect" about it all.

4. If you were going to a remote place and could only take one CD with you, which one would you take?

Smashing Pumpkins "Mellon Colie and the Infinite Sadness"


5. Brad Pitt contacts you on the telephone - what does he say?

"Hey there, beautiful. So I know I'm a bit unavailable now that I have these kids and AJ and all, but maybe you and I could hang out. I'd like to introduce you to a few of my friends. OH, and you're on my list of five people I can...you know. Angie won't get mad."


:) Thanks, Pam!


From Ant:

1) Right back at ya, describe your last crush (looks/personality)

Ha, this describes many of my crushees: tall, dark hair, and hott. Enjoys music and is able to make and laugh at jokes. Quiet. For some reason I am drawn towards quiet people. This is weird.

2) If you were a fashion designer, what would the next "Scarlatta" line to grace the windows of Paris, New York and Milan, look like?

Awesome question! My line would be primarily black, but would use bursts of color (like green and red) here and there to mix it up. It would all be based on layers. I like clothes that appear to be really basic, but up close you can see they have weird detailing and stuff.

3) Seriously, Tony Blair?

When I was in high school I would channel surf and stop on the British Parliament...it's hilarious to watch and TB cracks me up. Plus, that accent!;)

4) If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

It would be a Mediterranean cruise that starts from NYC, goes across the Atlantic (duh), hits up Scotland then moves on to Italy, Greece, etc.

5) Do you believe you have an eternal soul, and if so, will it drink coffee in the afterlife?

I believe that heaven is my ultimate place. So yes, I'll drink coffee all the effing time and will spend my days on the tennis court. My nights will be spend floating on a pool and/or playing music:)


From Allie:

1. What's the background story about why you hate sour cream so much?

I honestly can't remember. One of the last times I remember actually tasting it (cue vomiting) was at the pool when someone accidentally got my Taco Bell with sour cream. I tried to scrape it off bc I didn't want to waste it, but I could still taste it and it made me want to barf! I don't think I've tasted it since then. The consistency is nast. Oh, and so is the taste.

2. What's your best "insider" barnes & noble story?

Special hot chocolate? does that count?

3. If you had to decide, would you rather live without your car or your music collection?

Um, wow. If I had no car I would die of boredom. can I still listen to XM???

4. JCrew needs a model for their new Fall line, they've asked you but it means you'd have to give up coffee because that's against JCrew policy. Would you do it?

Nah, I heart coffee. I also heart Jcrew, but I don't need to be their model. YUmmmmmmcoffeee!

5. Who out of the people you know would you put on "What Not To Wear"?

My mom. Not because she needs it, but because she deserves it.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Carolina

I am back from North Carolina with some sun, exhaustion, bruised feet, about 600 photos, and tons of stories. Earlier today (and I do mean EARLY), I had some trouble speaking. The lack of sleep caught up with me and my sentences went something like this: "Let's stop anushirahbuyaram in Virginia." So, needless to say, I am quite tired and I just don't think I can do an appropriate weekend recap right now.Chapel!


XO,
SVR

P.S. In case it wasn't obvious. I will post details later!

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Short Skirt/Long Jacket

You know how a tiny pebble in your shoe can ruin a nice walk and leave you hobbling in pain? That is how I liken days where I don't like my outfit and today was one of those days. Now, to liken my day to pain is not appropriate because it really wasn't that bad. I just wasn't as 'on' as I would have liked. I ended up pulling my hair back about an hour into work (hate that) and later begged my bangs to stay strong against the heat of the area I was working in. I just wasn't feeling it today. Someone even commented that I "looked tired" and didn't have on one of my "cute outfits*" like usual. I went for comfort today and ended up more out of wack than if I had worn a wrap dress on a windy day.

Putting my jean jacket** on after calling it a day helped. And then heading to Tysons to spend some gift cards helped even more. I hit the jackpot tonight and left the malls quite the happy shopper. Funny how good clothes can improve my mood:)

Early tomorrow morning (4am) Ali and I head south to Bald Head Island, NC for our cousin's wedding. Part of my shopping trip tonight was to find an appropriate cover up for the dress I am wearing. And maybe only DCCeline will care about this part, but this is what I'm wearing: strapless, dark blue with white polka dots dress and a marigold cardigan over top. I might tie the bottom of the cardigan because it's long, but that's to be decided later. Pictures to be posted upon my return. Promise!


XO,
SVR


*Her words, not mine. My words would have been "hott outfits" or "totally bitchin' outfits!" :)

**Jean jackets=love. Except for the other day when I accidently grabbed it to wear and didn't realize I was wearing jeans until I had walked into work. As much as I love my jean jacket, it should never, ever, be paired with denim pants. The horror.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

You Were Meant For Me

When I first listen to a song, I hear the music first and for multiple listens after that, I continue to pay the most attention to the sound of it. Only after many listens do I focus in on the lyrics*. Sometimes they mean nothing to me, but on certaiin occasions the song gets that much better after knowing what it's about. The following is my on-going list of songs that mean a lot to me:


"Today" by The Smashing Pumpkins


Pink ribbon scars
That never forget
I tried so hard
To cleanse these regrets
My angel wings
Were bruised and restrained
My belly stings




"Black" by Pearl Jam

I know someday you'll have a beautiful life, I know you'll be a sun
In somebody else's sky, but why
Why, why can't it be, why can't it be mine



"4am" by Our Lady Peace

If I don't make it known that

I've loved you all along
just like the sunny days that
we ignore because
we're all dumb & jaded
and I hope to God I figure out
what's wrong



"Clark Gable" by The Postal Service


The marker snapped

And I yelled, "Quiet on the set!"
And then called, "Action!"
And I kissed you in a style
Clark Gable would have admired
(I thought it classic)




To be cont.


*And seriously? Finding these lyrics online now is showing me how I so often sing the wrong words to songs. GAH!

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

The Conductor

I got pissed in orchestra tonight. Visibly annoyed. Except for my text messaging habit in between movements, my rehearsal behavior is impeccable. I am attentive, I always have a pencil, I listen, I don't talk when not playing, I glance up more than most players, and I nod my head to direction. I make up for any mistakes I may make by being good in other ways. So tonight, when Maestro scolded me and Clarinet Dude for talking when he was trying to tell us something, I was livid.

1) Do not "scold" me. We're both adults and even if I think you're an amazing conductor, I don't "owe" you any respect that results in me being talked to like that.

2) Clarinet Dude and I were talking about the music. We were quietly figuring out a tricky rhythm* and why we had messed it up. Maestro made it sound like we were discussing Amazing Race or something.

3) Work on your selective hearing, buddy. Maybe you should say something to the bass player who never stops playing or the french horns** who don't even whisper when talking.

And then later you said something to the Woodwinds about dragging the tempo. Then, a few measures later I barely knew where I was because the annoying strings were sucking at life and...oh yes...dragging the tempo. And maybe check on their intonation as much as you check on our notes. Mmmhmm.


Yeah, so I was pissed when he told us to "not talk" so we can hear what he's trying to tell us. To this I said in quite the snotty tone, "We were talking about the music." I should have added an "ass" onto that: "We were talking about the music, ass!" Oh, I was so angry. I then proceeded to give him my patented "Scarlet Look" each and every time he told us something. I hope he knows he pissed me off.


XO,
SVR


*Seriously...it's the new e-g-y-p-t
**I love you guys because you're hilarious, but you do talk A LOT.

Monday, April 16, 2007

IN And OUT Of Love

You may or may not have noticed the slight change to my sidebar. Go ahead, take a look. I will wait.

Done?

In and Out, according to SVR. Updated whenever the hell I feel like it.


XO,
SVR

Drown

I may never know song names and I usually sing the wrong lyrics, but if there is one thing I keep with me, it's melodies and rhythms. I have this annoying habit of hearing a chord change in one song that instantly reminds me of another and then I can't rest until I hear it.

Drown by The Smashing Pumpkins is one of those songs that sticks with me. Definitely a Top 10 Smashing Pumpkins song, it's been one of my Repeat* songs quite a few times. I was glad to be reminded of it last night...

Perfection!

No matter where you are, I can still hear you when you drown
You've traveled very far Just to see you I'll come around, when I'm down
All of those yesterdays
Coming around

No matter where you are, I can still hear you when you dream
You traveled very far
You traveled far, like a star
And you are
All of those yesterdays
Coming around

Is it something someone said?
Was it something someone said ?

Yesterday the sky was you
And I still feel the same
Nothing left for me to do
And I still feel the same

I wish, I wish I could fly
I wish, I wish I could lie
I will, I will try
I will, I will
Goodbye



*Certain songs I listen to on repeat for periods of time.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Drifting

Whenever work starts to suck, I head straight for the newspapers and check my and my coworker's horoscopes. One day, "Lynette's" said he was going to have an important encounter with a Gemini and I spent the rest of the day asking everyone I saw at work when their birthday was. Another day "Dex's" said he needed to touch things, so I let him touch me. I mean, my shirt. MY SHIRT! It was funny. Today I was frustrated because of the ambiguity of my plans so I checked my horoscope during one of my breaks. I was excited to read something that essentially said "the party follows [me]" and took that to mean I would have a good night. Well, that didn't so much happen, and even though my awesome boos "Bree" and "No Nickname Yet" are meeting up with me later at Honey Mustard Land, my night is tinged with disappointment and frustration. So, what do I do when feeling a little down? Check my horoscope, of course!

"Don't erase this sense of limbo you're feeling. Your uncertainty is fueling this never-ending quest for information. The answer to an overwrought question will come during this precarious state of mind."

Interesting?

Friday, April 13, 2007

Under The Influence

The other night I had the news on when I caught the words, "Mary Washington" and my ears perked up. Earlier that night, at my class at the University, we gossiped about how the President of the school, William Frawley, had been in an accident and may have gotten a DUI.

In the first story I heard, he had left the hospital after being in a car accident and then was stopped after driving poorly on 95, but it was most likely because of his pain medication. Even though it was a poor decision to drive while on pain meds, it's not like he got trashed at a neighborhood bar* and then tried to go home. Oh wait, like so many college students do? Hmmm.

On the news, though, they reported that he was driving erratically on 95 with three tires. I recently got a flat tire and let me tell you, it's very obvious when all four tires are not working properly. And wouldn't there be sparks from the rim driving on the road? Oh how I wish I had seen this on the Interstate.

It is weird to be seeing my alma mater and current grad school on the news so often now. I just saw a news ticker with the story run across The Today Show. But do people really care about this story? I go to the freaking school and could probably not care less. Yeah, it's not cool to drive when under the influence of substances, whether they are prescribed or not, but reporting, "OH MY GOSH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN PLACED ON PAID LEAVE AFTER DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE" is snooze-worthy. Add to the story, "WITH A COKED UP WHORE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT" or "WHILE WEARING WOMEN'S CLOTHING" and maybe I'll be interested, but until then? Report on the stuff I care about...like where Brad Pitt is right now or what Tony Blair is up to.


XO,
SVR




*Yah! Spirits!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

When The Sun Goes Down

As always, comment away!

Meet Me In The BAThroom

I had a very distressing dream last night. So distressing that it caused me to try to stay awake in an attempt to not fall back into the same storyline. This totally grosses me out to share, but since the analysis is so great, I am going to.

I dreamt that I was laying on my bed with my head towards the edge when all of a sudden bats were in my hair, trying to continue down towards the floor. In addition to the bats, mice were in there, too.

Hold Please. *vomit*


So yeah, you can see how my dream would keep a girl up, right? Well, check out the analysis I looked up:


"To see bats in your dream, symbolizes uncleanness, demons, and annoyances. Alternatively, bats also represent your need to let go of old habits for your current way of life no longer suits your new growth and outlook. It is symbolic of a rebirth. It may also mean that you are entering blindly into a situation. You need to evaluate the facts more carefully The dream may also been a pun on feeling "batty" or feeling crazy. "
And also:
"
To see mice in your dream, symbolizes domestic problems, business loss, deceit, and insincere friends. It represents minor problems in which you are spending too much time dwelling on."

I did not kill the mouse in my dream, but maybe I should have:


"
To dream that you kill a mouse, signifies that you will overcome your rivals."


And the significance of hair in my dream:

"
To see hair in your dream, signifies sexual virility, seduction, sensuality, vanity, and health. It is indicative of your attitudes."

Interesting, eh?


XO,
SVR



Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

I have been unable to get warm these past few days when not at work*. Earlier tonight I was waiting outside for something and I started shivering uncontrollably. I had on my layers, too: 2 tank tops, a t-shirt, a sweater, and a jean jacket and I was still cold. I am loving this added bonus of cold weather we are getting, but my body is not fooled and knows it's supposed to be spring. My fashion-self knows it, too, so the heavy coats and scarves are no more. Sure, I miss them, but it's officially spring and I don't want to look like I'm in the wrong season! It's like wearing flip flops in November on an unseasonably warm day-it's just wrong!

*****************


I kept getting tension headaches last week. I actually felt one coming on tonight, but now that I know the cause, I can better stop them from getting too bad. I liken them to my brain protesting the amount of thinking I am making it do. Whether it be for something school related, work related, or having to do with certain people. My job keeps me just a smidge too secluded at times now and I end up thinking and re-thinking things. Then I end up walking around with a constant expression of "hmm!" on my face. The other day my coworker said I looked tense. She was right. I think it's better now, though...or, at least, different.


XO,
SVR





*Work can be like a mfing sauna sometimes. Plus, my section there gets warmer than others.

Monday, April 09, 2007

A Kind Of Hope

I walked into work today and "Run" by Snow Patrol was playing. I took it as a sign that my day would be good because I love that song.

I did that another day, too. On my way to work I heard in a row: "Everlong" by the Foo Fighters and "Exit Music (For A Film)" by Radiohead on XM. How can anything but greatness be followed by a line-up like that?

Today's song didn't work like I had hoped. I should have known better since it's not exactly a cheerful, upbeat one.

I hate to let people affect my mood. Although, let me try to clarify...I hate to get disappointed because someone doesn't react/say/do something like I expected and wanted. The only person I can control is myself and once I let someone else bring me down for not doing something I wanted, then it's already out of control. I hate that. But what I really hate is that I need certain people to help me out sometimes. Throw me an emotional bone, so to speak.

Maybe I'm asking too much of the wrong people. Maybe I'm being emotionally "needy." But it is how it is for the moment.

XO,
SVR

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Friction

On My To Do List:

  1. Begin on-going post about favorite lyrics.
  2. Make more mix CDs so I don't keep obsessively listening to the same songs over and over...
  3. Practice the tricky parts for orchestra.
  4. Plan the route to North Carolina for me and Ali, keeping in mind the locations of all Sonics and Starbucks on the way.
  5. Assignment due Friday by 9am.
  6. Upload pictures.

On My Not To Do List:
  1. Suck at life.
  2. Pack away winter clothes. (I'm just not ready to say goodbye to cold weather.)
  3. My projects due the next week.
  4. Wear pastels.
  5. Sign up for a marathon.

XO,
SVR

The Last Laugh of The Laughters

Happy Easter! I'll be at work all day. It feels like the end of the week for me, which I am thankful for. With tomorrow, I consider it a new week, and one that will be good...no matter what.

Not much else to report on so I hope everyone has a wonderful day:)

Friday, April 06, 2007

Pull The Curtains

Such a fun song to sing while driving!


Sometimes you gotta turn it off
Man, you gotta walk away
And then sometimes you gotta say:
"This is gonna be the day"


Sometimes you gotta turn it off
Yeah, you gotta walk away
And then sometimes you gotta say:
"There ain't no other fuckin' way"


I saw Grindhouse tonight. I wasn't going to go because I hate paying so much for movies and I wasn't sure I would be able to make it through a 3+ hour movie after working all day on not enough sleep. After about 10 minutes of the first feature I figured I had paid for naptime- I was NOT into it. What I didn't like was that the audience kept laughing at parts I just didn't get. It was like they thought they were supposed to laugh or something. It irritated me. The movie got better, though, and I was even able to accept the fact that Rose McGowan's leg was a gun. I felt like it went on a little too long and by the end I had resigned to letting my eyes "rest".

Then came the fake trailers. Ali and I used this time to use the restroom and send SOS text messages so I didn't see any of those. I probably wouldn't have "gotten" them anyway. Oh, but you know who did get them? The man sitting behind us who laughed like a buffoon at anything even remotely funny.

The second feature was much more enjoyable for me, if only because it involved a lot less puss-ha! Oh, and it was shorter (Thank you!) and coincided nicely with my second wind. Mybiggest complaint for this one was that the one girl's hair was really gross and she just wouldn't stop swining it around and around! Stop, already! It was good, though. I mean, I do "get" it. I do. I just don't to be like buffoon guy and "get it" so damn loudly!

Upon leaving the theatre from this strange double feature about three and a half hours after getting there, I not only felt the desire to drive faster and hit things, but I also wanted to find out from what Rosario Dawson is famous. We could only think of Rent, but how is it that she is so well-known and is often in US Weekly and on Entertainment Tonight?

Anyway, so this is the first movie I've seen in the theatre since Talladega Nights. I hope my next one is Transformers...



XO,
SVR!

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Motion Picture Soundtrack

I am totally in love with one of the pieces we are playing in my next orchestra concert. Hebrides Overture by Felix Mendelssohn, a piece inspired by Fingal's Cave off the coast of Scotland. Now, I know what you're thinking: She likes it just because of the Scotland thing, but no. I loved it before our maestro told us anything about it.

It begins with low strings and the bassoon that quickly becomes the entire orchestra playing at forte. The entire piece is a study in dynamics, each one extremely important. When we first started rehearsing it, we would stop countless times to observe the markings of pianos, fortes, crescendos, and sforzandos. I have never seen a piece dictated so precisely for dynamics.

The music makes me feel as though I am on a small boat, rocking on the waves as I travel through the caves. There are times when the feeling is almost one of being seasick. The piece is not technically difficult, but making it sound cohesive and dynamically correct is what makes it a challenge. I spend much of the work memorizing short passages so I can watch the conductor and listen to those around me.

Then, about 2/3 through is the clarinet duet part I am a part of. The introduction to this section is perfect, with the strings backing away dynamically and the oboe giving way to the first note by the clarinet. It is so simplistic, yet gorgeous (as most things played by the clarinet are.) If this were a movie score, this would be the romantic goodbye as the man heads off to fight the monster in the cave. Or the opposing army. Or whomever. As the music speeds up I can just imagine the scenes as the man fights his enemy with a sword, while the woman, still rocking on the waves in the boat laments his absence and prays for his return.

And I'll be honest with you. I've been sitting here listening to the last 30 seconds of the piece over and over again, trying to decide how the story should end and I just don't know. There is strength to the ending, with the entire orchestra playing, but the last thing heard is a leftover flute fading to nothing. So how does the story end?

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

La La Love You

I've actually never seen South Park, but I think this is what I might look like if I were on it:

They didn't have the option for an iced coffee accessory, so I chose what was closest. Also, that bag so is not me.

XO,
SVR

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

We Are The Champions

Sometimes I don't let myself watch certain movies because I know the moood they will leave me in. The Karate Kid, laugh if you want, leaves me nostalgic and and a little misty. It not only reminds me of my childhood, but also of my brother and my sister.

When I was little, I idolized my brother so when he was off being six years older, I watched The Karate Kid because Daniel-san reminded me of him. I love love love love LOVE this movie. And "Ali with an 'i'" will always make me think of my own sister as well as references such as "Cruel Summer" and The Crane.

This post was inspired by me catching the last 15 minutes of the movie on TV. I'll post something better later, I promise!


XO,
SVR

Monday, April 02, 2007

If You Talk Too Much (My Head Will Explode)

Earlier today I was fairly certain my head was going to explode. I was driving home from work and had this intense need to shut my eyes and put my head back. I, um, did not, though, since I was driving. My headache began earlier in the day. Well, to be fair, the pain in my head was most likely caused from the tension that began when I got to work. It's just that it took a few hours for the frustration to move from my shoulders to my head where it stayed until about an hour ago.

I am better now and I attribute that fact to one of the following:

+The vodka and cranberry I enjoyed after work.

+The enjoyable conversation I had on the phone.

+The 74 cent Godiva chocolate bar I had. I love clearance sales.


But really, can a head explode?


XO,
SVR

Sunday, April 01, 2007