Overwhelmed

I've been really overwhelmed lately by how many amazing pieces of art are on my horizon. It feels like ever since the release of A GATHERING OF SHADOWS by V.E. Schwab in February, it's been non-stop awesome in my little world of books, film, and television. My creativity receptors have been grand canyons lately, ready for the things I love to fall into them and fill up until I'm no longer made up of cells, but of art. This, combined with being a little too sleep deprived lately, has left me with that overwhelming feeling I mentioned. There is nothing bad about too much good, too much awesomeness, but I've been unable to wrap my mind around it all lately. I'm just in it and, while that's a great thing, I'm a little less in my real world while existing in art. If this was a movie, it would be the scene where I fall into and live in my book. This is all just a dramatic way to say that I am reading, watching, and listening to a lot of incredible things and I don't know how to simply enjoy things, I only know how to love them. And to love them fiercely. So, keep reading if you'd like to know what is currently fueling me...because art is life. It's everything.

• A COURT OF MIST AND FURY by Sarah J. Maas- I'm not even sure I can put into words how much I am enjoying reading this book. When I read A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES last fall it was actually life changing. It made me realize how much I love a deliciously told story and, more importantly, how accepting I could be for fantasy elements I had always assumed I hated. Faeries!? I never thought a book that was about a faerie realm would be so enjoyable, but Maas wrote the perfect story and it quickly became my favorite YA title of 2015. But ACOMAF? If it continues like it is, it might be my favorite YA ever. I love it that much. I'm getting misty just thinking about it right now. And yes, I realized I sound crazy. I love the characters, the setting, the plot, the seemingly normal sentences that I go back and reread because I realize after they've passed through my mind that they're layered and beautiful and perfect. I love how much tension Maas has written into her story (the book should come with a bucket of ice water) and how much depth is given to every single character in the book. I could gush about this book for a really long time...I already can't wait to reread it. 
• Radiohead- My favorite band. The band that has inspired my own work in progress. Their new album is to be released tomorrow, the 8th of May and the thought of having new music from them in my brain is so exciting. There is something about Thom Yorke's voice that energizes and soothes me at the same time. I love that weird, little man. And I really hope Johnny Greenwood found some weird, random instrument to play on this album. I love that weird, tall man, too.
• Game of Thrones- I don't understand when people say an episode or a season was "not that good". I can't think of a single episode I didn't love because I love the very existence of this show. I love the complexities, the richness of every single shot, the darkness, the brutal plot, Jon Snow and the fact that he is alive (but might turn evil so I'm not getting my hopes up, but I'll still love him forever), and the fact that I can watch these episodes over and over and never tire of them. They are like my favorite songs and it's really exciting to think about watching this show over and over since apparently they don't want to produce it until the end of time. Ugh!
• Tennis- A lot of people are into sports, but I am like, all up in the guts of tennis. I use vacation time to watch Wimbledon. I'm about to spend $1000 on tennis tickets. I forego sleep to get up on other country's time zones so I can watch matches. But, holy cow, it brings me so much joy. And you may be wondering why it's included in my list of creative things I like and, to that I say, have you ever seen how beautiful a well-constructed point is? Or, how beautiful Grigor Dimitrov is? Yeah, tennis is pretty friggin' lovely.
• Beyonce- I didn't watch her hour long video presentation thing a couple of weeks ago and, after the reports about the alleged backstories to her new songs, I wasn't sure if I was going to be into her new album. I was worried it was all about lyrics whereas I more often feel a connection to the music, to the sounds. But I had my first listen and OMG it's so good! I can't wait to devour more of it.
• Justin Timberlake- JT has a new song! And it's so catchy! And good! And not 10 minutes long! Bless. 
• SHADES OF MAGIC series- V.E. Schwab is a genius of words. I follow her on twitter and she is currently working on the 3rd book in the series and, while I get nervous about how often she jokes about killing all of her characters, I also super respect her because I have a feeling she would totally kill them all if it was good for the story. She's the type of author a reader can trust. 
• The Met Ball- Fashion in general is something I love, but most recently, the Met Ball with it's theme of "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" delivered a lot of awesome designs. It's fun to see how the designers/stylists/celebrities interpret (or don't interpret) the theme and also to see how their choices are received. 
• Outlander- The beginning of season two has been a bit less sexy and a lot less Scottish, but it's still one of my favorite hours of the week. I am absolutely loving Claire's costuming for the Fraser's time in France and the sets have been so glorious, as well. And, really, I just like any excuse to think and dream about Scotland and hot Scottish men with their hot Scottish accents. 
• "If I Didn't Know Better" sung by Sam Palladio and Claire Bowen from Nashville-  This show is a trainwreck that I can't stop watching and, while the show isn't exactly giving me the artistic feels, this song (and many others these two sing) is SOOOOOOO gooooood! It's kind of gentle and flirty and Sam Palladio sings in a beautiful falsetto and their voices mash up just perfectly. Go listen to it! Be moved!