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Friday, December 31, 2010

New Year's Eve

I stole this from Kristabella:

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Umm, I went to upstate New York and worked for a theatre company.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don't make those. Jan 1 doesn't feel like the new year for me. I usually feel it more on my birthday (17 Feb!)

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Vanessa did! YAY!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No...thank goodness.

5. What countries did you visit?

None other than USA!

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you didn’t have in 2010?

new job, my own apt, a fiance, haha.

7. What dates from 2010 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

No specific ones really, just a lot of good memories.

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Broadening my horizons and playing an extremely difficult concert in orchestra.

9. What was your biggest failure?

None!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nope. Just allergies, which is a huge reason why I reaaaallllyyyy hate spring and summer.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Probably those awesome boots I wear all the time. Or the gas to get me to Ali.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My mom and dad. duh! They're awesome.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I can't say bc they might read it here:)

14. Where did most your money go?

rent and gas.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

visiting Ali!!!! In Charleston and then Saratoga Springs, NY twice.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Probably a Florence and the Machine one.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a) happier

b) same

c) same

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

saved

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

trust people

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With my mom and dad and it was awesome.

21. Did you fall in love with 2010?

With James Franco

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Vampire Diaries (And True Blood and Dexter and Mad Men and How I Met Your Mother)

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

hate is a strong word

24. What was the best book you read?

Oh I dont know...The Hunger Games? Or Shiver/Linger

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Good question....Mumford And Sons? I dunno

26. What did you want and get?

A sewing machine

27. What did you want and not get?

more money

28. What was your favorite film of 2010?

Inception

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 30! And went to Fridays on the actual day with tons of people and made a profit bc people gave me so much money to buy drinks and then that weekend we went to Penny Lane Pub in Richmond...it was awesome.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
My own house. Or one I share with my husband.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2010?

layers. Always.

32. What kept you sane?

Texting Ali

33. What political issue stirred you the most?
People's annoying comments? does that count?

34. Who did you miss?

My granddad.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

Jen


36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

Not all people are nice.

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

No

+Title from The Walkmen

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Love That Never Dies

I have a big announcement to make, but it will have to wait until the end of this post.

The other day I finally purchased Inglourious Basterds, which was a momentous occasion because it meant I finally owned every single Brad Pitt movie available. I was first enchanted by Brad Pitt when I saw Fight Club in 1999. Of course, I had thought he was awesome and attractive before that, but it wasn't until I left the theatre one night in college after seeing him play Tyler Durden that I was officially obsessed with him. I remember that night because it was a group of five of us who went to see Fight Club and, as we left, I was the only one completely changed by the previous two hours. No one else in my group had liked the movie and there I was, ready to go see it again and again. I remember i cut out a picture of the gorgeous, shirtless Brad Pitt from one of the fight scenes and had it taped to my computer for what must have been the rest of my college career.

So, from then on, he was my favorite actor and eventually I decided to have every Brad Pitt movie in my collection. And tonight...I shall list and comment on them all:

21 Jump Street (1987)- He's in Season 2, which I own, but I haven't watched it and barely remember it from when I was younger.

Cutting Class (1989)- While I do own this movie, I caught some of it on TV once and basically realized I kind of don't ever want to watch it. It's NOT good.

Too Young To Die (1990)- For a TV movie, this isn't too bad. It's kind of like a practice run for Kalifornia which both Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis were in.

Across The Tracks (1991)- BP and Ricky Schroeder play brothers headed down very different life paths. It's actually a pretty decent movie and you get to see BP run a lot.

Thelma And Louise (1991)- Honestly, I was 11 when this came out so Brad Pitt was not exactly my idea of hott at the time. I can appreciate the hottness now, but at the time I just thought this was a movie about some crazy chicks. I'm happy this movie exists, though, because people really started to pay attention to BP after it.

Johnny Suede (1991)- I started this movie, but never finished it. BP's hair is practically a character in itself and the whole thing is just...odd.

Cool World (1992)- I think I saw this back in the day, but barely remember it.

A River Runs Through It (1992)- This movie made me want to try fly fishing. It's kinda slow, but in a great English Patient sorta way.

Kalifornia (1993)- BP is effed up in the movie. I enjoyed it, though.

True Romance (1993)- BP plays a drugged out guy in this large ensemble film. He is just a small part, but I enjoyed the movie as a whole.

The Favor (1994)- Okay I am sounded like a bad Brad Pitt fan because I haven't watched several of these. Oops!

Interview With The Vampire (1994)- Oh My Gosh...I was quite obsessed with this movie for some time. How amazing was every single part of this film? I think BP, Tom Cruise, and Kirsten Dunst were all three hella good.

Legends Of The Fall (1994)- I often argue that 1994 was one of the greatest years of film and music. This movie makes me cry every single time I watch it. It is epic and wonderful.

Seven (1995)- 1995 was my "I'm jealous of Gwyneth Paltrow" phase. One of my teachers in high school loved Brad Pitt and had a poster of Legends of the Fall in her classroom. She was 30 back then (my age now) and it was so weird for me to think of her having a crush on this actor that I liked, too. Now I realize that if I was teaching now, I would so have a Brad Pitt poster in my room. Seven is an intense movie and to this day I still love to yell, "WHAT'S IN THE BOOXXXX?!"

12 Monkeys (1995)- Not only an amazing film, but also when BP got nominated for an Academy Award. I have seen this movie a million times and it still leaves me confused. BP really shows his talent as a mental patient for part of the film. Awesome!

Sleepers (1996)- I saw this back in the day and it's kinda fuzzy in my memory.

The Devil's Own (1997)- I have started this one a ton of times, but always late at night and then I stop it. The beginning is good, though:)

Seven Years In Tibet (1997)- A lot of people didn't like this movie, but I did. BP has a lot of screen time so maybe that's why.

Dark Side Of The Sun (1997)- Oh my gosh! This hasn't been available in years and I think it is now! Woop1

Meet Joe Black (1998)- This is a looonng movie and if you're not into it, it feels long. I liked it, though.

Fight Club (1999)- There are so many things about this movie that I love. Superficially, Brad Pitt is so hott it should be illegal, but this movie is about more than that.

Snatch (2000)- So amazing! I love BP's character in this and his accent is awesome. Being a Guy Ritchie film, it's confusing, but it's also incredibly well acted and executed.

The Mexican (2001)- Yeah, this is kind of a movie that is made for commercial success, but I liked it a lot. I liked the leads and how they all interacted with each other. Oh, and BP is still hott!

Spy Game (2001)- I watched this for the first time one summer when I had a stomach bug and I started it expecting to fall asleep to it, but instead, I was completely enthralled for two hours. I love how Robert Redford is the Brad Pitt of yore. They are both so great in this and the story sets up a great spy flick.

Ocean's Eleven (2001), Twelve (2004), and Thirteen (2007) - *swoon* Brad Pitt is deliciously attractive and smooth in these three movies. I love that his character is always eating. It was a nice touch in addition to his super fly outfits.

Friends (2001)- Why yes, I do own the entire Friends series and yes, BP's episodes is one of my favorites.

Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind (2002)- Another spy movie! Brad Pitt just has a cameo, but it's a cameo in a great film.

Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas (2003)- Your typical animated movie. I enjoyed it.

Troy (2004)- I know a lot of people hated this movie, but I love it and not only because I get to see BP almost naked. I have seen it probably 50 times because it's just a perfect movie to throw on when you need to watch something enjoyable. It's so sad when he dies:(

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)- I saw this twice in the theatre and one of those times was in NYC. Random, eh? AND another spy flick! I love this movie, too. Angelina Jolie AND Brad Pitt are so smokin' in this.

Babel (2006)- This was the first movie where BP looked his age. He had some gray going on. This movie is intense and good, but one that's not based on him being super hott. He has obviously proven his acting abilities.

The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford (2007)- I actually expected this to be a little flashier, but it's more real. It's dusty and old just like the time period of the events it covers.

Burn After Reading (2008)- A Coen brothers film with a great ensemble cast. Brad Pitt's character is hilarious.

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (2008)- I saw this in the theatre twice, too:) I love everything about this movie, but I remember squealing a little when he rides down the street on his motorcycle at his hottest point of the film. Mmm!

Inglourious Basterds (2009)- I typically am not a Quentin Tarantino fan, but this was great. Have you seen it?


So, what's your favorite Brad Pitt film??


And now, for my big announcement...Since Brad Pitt is making fewer movies nowadays that he has 43209 kids, I have decided to pick a second actor to love. I'm sure you can guess who that is if you follow me on twitter, but that person is:

james Franco!

I just saw 127 Hours today, which was fantastic, by the way, and since I have always hearted him, I have decided I need all of his films. Let the collecting begin!!


+Titles from The Byrds

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Requiem

Playing Mozart's Requiem on the eve of the anniversary of his death at the same exact time it is being played in Salzburg. If that's not overwhelming then I don't know what is.

Tonight my orchestra played with the Piedmont Singers at an Episcopal Church in Middleburg, VA. To play a piece of music that I have loved for so many years was exciting in itself, but to play it on such a momentous day with so many other amazing factors was just incredible. I feel so lucky to be involved with this concert.

I have this incredibly dorky habit of getting very into the music I am playing. I may not be the most technical player out there anymore, but the love I have for what I play is what I believe sets me apart from the pedestrian players. I listen while I play. I enjoy how my part fits in with the whole and sometimes, when I realize that I am a part of an amazing piece of music, I am just filled with joy.



The movie Amadeus was where I first heard and fell in love with Mozart's Requiem.




If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.

XO,
SVR



+Title from Mozart

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Dirty Harry

The highlights of my day were as follows:

Talking about Harry Potter with not one, not two, but three different people at work! One even ended in me looking up horcrux on wikipedia. There is so much to learn!

Hanging out at my aunt's house for her Silpada jewelry party. I ended up getting the five stackable rings.

Getting a lot of fun compliments on my outfit. I forgot to get someone to photograph it, though!

XO,
SVR


+Title from Gorillaz