My 7 Minutes of Fame or “I’m Ready for My Close-up, Mr. DeMille”

THIS is what I did this weekend.

If you get a chance to participate in your local area, you should definitely get involved! It was a total blast, although I definitely learned how the hurry-up-and-wait conditions on a movie set can be quite exhausting. Mr. Random served as the film editor and my friend J and I helped write the script and had sizable acting roles. The acting was unintended on my part – I had thought I’d be an extra in a crowd scene or handling the boom mike. But no, my character is rather integral to the plot and I even had a couple of lines and a close up shot.

I don’t know if I will ever post on this blog the resulting 7 minute film, because that would blow my little bit of anonymity to heck. If it gets YouTubed or something I might put it up for a very limited time, but under the condition that you realize the whole thing was done in two days, so don’t expect art, decent camera work, a linear plot, or even good acting.

This week, they are showing all of the films created in our city at the American Film Institute Theater in Silver Spring, Maryland. Unfortunately, our film is going to be shown in the Friday night group, and we already bought tickets to take Mr. Random’s mom to see a play at that exact time. Bummer! I really wanted to see what the other entries looked like . . .

Maybe after the judging is over with this upcoming week, I’ll let you know how our film did. I doubt we’ll get any awards though, the actual photography was kind of spotty and the plot-as-scripted and the plot-as-edited in the film are a bit different. (Now I see why screenwriters are a bitter and cranky bunch.)

Random Cultural Show and Tell(er)

So here's some of what I've been doing . . .

Teller at the Folger

Teller, the normally silent half of Penn and Teller, was in town at the end of February to discuss his co-directing duties for the production of Macbeth that is currently running at the Folger Theater, and which I’ll luckily get to see next week (the full run sold out really quickly!) The discussion was held the night before the play opened and we were able to grab a quick and grainy photo at the end of the hour. I had never head him speak before and he seemed extremely bright and witty, and we could have sat and listened to him discuss Shakespeare and magic and other things all evening if possible.

Chicago 10

This part documentary/part animated film did not really fulfill the potential of its premise very well. It tried to do a lot of things and most of them not very well. It is a good jumping off point for a lot of good discussions and further research for the background and history of the 1968 Democratic Convention, but I wouldn’t advise any young people to watch it as a stand-alone history piece.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

This is one of the few movies that I’ve ever attended where the audience burst into applause at the end. After a few months where most of the movies I’ve seen were either deep, bloody dramas or political documentaries, it was such a breath of fresh air not to leave the theater feeling emotionally drained. A funny, poignant film that I highly recommend you go see if it’s playing in your town – it definitely deserves wider notice.

Major Barbara

I saw this George Bernard Shaw play at the Shakespeare Theater Company last Thursday. It is a wonderful production which was only marred by the fact that the play ended at 10:50 PM and the nearby parking garage closed at 11 PM – therefore we could not really pay attention to the last 10 minutes of dialogue because we were freaking out, ardently hoping the play would end in time for us to run the three blocks to retrieve the car. We didn’t even stay to applaud the actors: as soon as the scene ended and the curtain went down, we hightailed it out of our row, down the steps, out of the theater and ran like heck. Of course, because Mr. Random has been running forever, he was able to zoom ahead easily, while me and J . . . well, we were a bit slower. We did make it to the car with a few minutes to spare, but the moral of the story is to always check a play’s running time before you find a place to park.

More to come . . .

Coming in Like a Lion

It’s March – woo hoo! Mr. Random’s birthday is this month and I have no idea what to get him that would be special. I have some things in mind but because he’s going to be graduating in May, I want to save really nice gifts for then. We may just go have a nice dinner somewhere and call it a day for now . . .

I have a Georgia O’Keefe calendar by my desk. The month of March has a beautiful picture of two bright yellow flowers on a gray/white background, which is very cheery and uplifting to me. I need all the cheer I can get!

The next few days are going to be in the 60s here in Northern Virginia, which is kind of a waste when you think about it since I am going to be stuck at work and in meetings all day. I’m going to try to sneak outside to get some lunch and hope I can get enough healing sunshine from that . . .

I had a very enjoyable weekend: On Saturday I saw the movie, Chicago Ten, and on Sunday I saw the Ibsen play, Hedda Gabler. A bit of running around, but it always makes me so happy to have activities to go to and new things to experience on the weekends. The play was rather cheap, since it is a small local acting company who will soon have to find new digs other than the abandoned warehouse that is currently its home.

When I was out yesterday, I was sitting in a coffee shop where they had local artists’ work on the wall for display and sale. Looking at the works made me want to start taking photos again and think of ways maybe I could sell a few of them at an art show or two. I have a photo printer now and there are a few pictures that are interesting enough that people might want to buy. I have a feeling that it would be an expensive project to undertake, so I’ll just keep mulling it over for the time being . . .

OK, to change gears for a moment, my newest thing is for the month of March to cut out a lot of dairy, soy and grains in my diet. Now I’m usually not one of those diet freaks who follows whatever trend is going around – I’m more of the “eat less, eat healthier, exercise more” school of living. However, I’ve notices that in the past several months, whenever I eat or drink certain things I feel horrible and sluggish afterwards. I’ve been trying to reduce the amount of starches that I eat, but after reading an article in Health magazine I thought I would try this for a month and see what happens, and then start adding them back into my diet sparingly. This also will help my goal of eating more fruits and veggies and not get as filled up on rices and pastas, as can easily happen with a lot of stuff that Mr. Random and I usually eat. I’m also learning to size portions a bit better and not try to eat mounds of nut and berry mix as a snack – a handful should suffice at a time.

This is the week before Spring Break - for both college and the ESL program – but I’m not going to get much rest or time off at this point because of work. It would be a great opportunity to take a week and get caught up on all sorts of reading and get a bit ahead in some other things, but alas, that is not going to happen. Bummer.

Well, this has been a crappy blog post, but I wanted to pop in and say hi, I’m alive and kicking around, just not visiting very much. Sending much love to all . . .

Random Muddled Day After Thoughts about the Oscars

I’m exhausted and babbling, but just wanted to share . . .

***I saw There Will Be Blood on Saturday. And wow. I think I really liked that movie. Yes, it is very dark. And there are a lot of people who are very mean and nasty to each other, but I really don’t think that the main character was the pinnacle of evil as everyone thinks he is.(a) because a lot of the other people around him are pretty sneaky and selfish and (b) I could kind of see where the main character was coming from in some of his actions. You may not like him, but you can see the thought processes there and they are pretty rational. There is a scene that is shown in commercials for the movie that comes off totally quite differently in the context of the film – the scene is actually slightly funny and scary.

***Daniel Day Lewis totally deserved that Oscar for Best Actor. (Just as Javier Bardem totally deserved Best Supporting Actor for No Country.)

***This year I actually saw 3 of the 5 Best Picture Nominees. (Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood.) I felt so proud about that – I very rarely get to see so many films in a year.

***And yes, I watched the entire Oscars ceremony and I thought that Jon Stewart did a great job as host. And yes, I remember the Billy Crystal years but I’m more of a Stewart-humor type of gal.

***Tilda Swinton was way too pale for that sack of a dress she was wearing. I could think of a lot more styles and colors that would have been more flattering.

***Why don’t people write down who they want to thank anymore? I know the nominees don’t want to see presumptuous, but there were way too many people who stood up there and their minds went blank from absolute shock and amazement.

***The couple from Once was quite adorable and I thought it was wonderful that Jon Stewart brought back the woman to be able to say her piece. I thought that they were hustled off the stage rather quickly and unfairly compared to other winners.

***I also was kind of sad that the song from August Rush didn’t win. That little 11 year old girl could SING! But I also think it’s awesome that she got an extra 3 minutes on stage to do some bit with Jon. I’m sure she’ll remember that night for the rest of her life.

***As much as I hate the idea of giving out awards to people just because they are now really old, instead of for the particular work, I do think that Ruby Dee should have got something . . . just because . . .

***Jennifer Hudson’s dress was rather unfortunate too, in my opinion.

For better, hardcore Oscar blogging, do check out TWP’s post today.

The Smell of Jasmine Flowers

My friend J and I saw the movie, Persepolis, on Saturday – If you haven’t seen it: RUN, don’t walk to your nearest theater, it is so awesome! I read Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel first and while the plot of the movie is slightly different it still effectively captures both the main plot and the tone of the graphic novel. If you aren’t moved by this film, check your pulse! I have read that they are coming out with an English dubbed version (the movie was made in French), but the version with English subtitles worked just fine for me, and I really can’t imagine it in English now. Also read the book if you can – it is definitely a work that makes you rethink your concept of what a graphic novel can be.

For the Oscars, Persepolis is nominated for Best Animated Film, but probably won’t win because it is up against Ratatouille and Surf’s Up, and it is just a travesty that it is being put against those “lighter entertainment” movies.

I have my Econ mid-term tomorrow, so I’m a bit tired and a bit numb. I met with my professor on Tuesday and while he is still on the extreme leftist side, he genuinely seemed very nice and accommodating and was quite a dear in spending time in answering my questions and working through problems. I was incredibly anxious beforehand, but I do feel a bit better about the class and where I am in it now. I’m still glad I got in another discussion section, I’m certain it will prove helpful in the long term.

I’ve been feeling kind of restless and down in the evenings, not being able to concentrate very well, doing lots of sleeping, having trouble being fully awake in the morning - even after an hour of reading the paper, showering and getting ready. I get to work very early now, since Mr. Random drops me off on his way in to his office, and I end up staying late waiting for Mr. Random to come pick me up. Like I said in an earlier post, I would gladly walk home, but it isn’t the safest neighborhood to be walking in alone at night. I feel slightly better on days when I go to school, and on weekends, since I’m usually out and about doing things I like doing.

There was a meeting at the Random Non-profit yesterday in which the guy in charge said he didn’t know why everyone was walking around so traumatized. Aren’t we starting to do some great things? You shouldn’t complain unless it is to someone who can do something about it, like him. Oh, by the way, he knows that we are down a lot of staff members and we are overburdened with work, but we should figure out on our own what we can stop doing. Oh, another by the way, another staff member is resigning as of the end of this month . . .

Gee, why would I feel so down?

On the happy side, next week starts the play-going season again in earnest. Yay! Going to see Hedda Gabler and Macbeth and maybe even Major Barbara .

What else is going on? I finished reading Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food , which is something else I highly recommend folks check out. It doesn’t say anything really that we don’t all know deep down in our hearts, but it does make you want to internalize it a bit more. It has managed to do for me what reading Fast Food Nation didn’t, and I think that’s a good thing. It’s so simple: Eat food. Not much. Mostly plants. Then you realize how easy it is to NOT eat real food, how much of what we eat in the name of eating healthier and low fat/low cal isn’t real food at all but stuff full of all sorts of chemicals and syrups that mimic real food . . . and how we really aren’t that sure how good that stuff really is for your body.

I know that COTW at A Little Off Kilter already has this way of eating down pat. If you read her blog for any length of time and look at the pictures of some of the meals she’s had – yum! She makes eating healthy look sooo easy and sooo tasty. That’s definitely what I aspire to . . .

I’m sorry I haven’t been “blog traveling” that much lately, but know that I read your comments and they bring me great joy! I just wanted to let you all know that I'm still kicking around and thinking of you. I hope everything is going well for everyone . . .

Catching Up with My Random Life

Here are my “Random Bullets of Crap” to catch everyone up on what’s been going on with me:

Updates of the College Thing: I got a 97 on BOTH my Economics and my International Relations exams. Wooo Hooo! Rock on! However, I still have SO much work to do and can’t get complacent. I have a 5-7 page Econ paper due on Friday, and a 4 page Int’l Rel paper due on November 1. Econ homework problems due tomorrow. Econ exam coming up in three weeks. Much reading to be done. But at least I know I’m on the right track.

Speaking of the college thing, usually in most schools if you have part1 of a class at a certain day and time in the Fall semester, part 2 would be held at the same day and time for the Spring semester. Well, not at this school! Bummer! I have to take the next class either earlier in the day or much later, which will screw up the delicately balanced schedule that I have constructed around work and school. Not happy. I may just have to bite the bullet and reduce my work hours in the Spring, which while that would be great for my mental health, it will be quite lousy for the pocketbook.

Back to the Bard: The new theater season has started which means it’s time to go see some more plays! Tomorrow night I’m going to see Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” and in a few weeks (have to pin down the date soon) I hope to see “The Taming of the Shrew.” I LOVE being a “sophisticated theatergoer,” which is what my friend J and I like to call ourselves sometimes. One day, when I get my act together, I need to keep a list of all of the Shakespeare plays I’ve seen.

Movie Review: Saw "Rendition" on Saturday. It was OK, but it seemed like the writers should have just focused on one or two characters rather than having so many threads. Jake Gyllenhaal was pretty good, Reese Witherspoon did not seem to fit - in regards that she didn't have much to do except stand around and look indignant. Not enough Meryl Streep or Alan Arkin for my tastes. All of the actors who played in the North African parts were excellent, and as much as they were integral to the plot, I would have liked to see more about them and how they got to that point, instead of just all the hinting . . . I'm thinking that this is more a of rental in the future.

Pictures: I still have pictures to put up from the sightseeing we did last weekend. I did take the time to make the files “web ready,” I just need to figure out a better, easier way of posting them.

Observation: There is a young couple in my IR class, they can’t be more than 20 or 21 years old. Adorable. Quite smoochy. Sit next to each other when they show up to class. Last week, I noticed that the guy wasn’t taking any notes, but the girl was. I wanted to yell at the girl, “Don’t take notes for him! Make him do his own work!” I mean, I was kind of upset by that . . . my inner Feminist was not pleased.

Work Angst: I don’t know if I should talk about my work angst anymore. It’s hard to adequately convey the situation without you all knowing the place and the players. There’s a reason that most people who leave are hard and bitter for years afterward. I don’t want to get to that point, but I AM getting there . . .

National Novel Writing Month starts November 1st. Thirty days – 50,000 words. I’m in! I’m going to try. I’m setting my own mini goal of 10,000 words this year. http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Send Happy Vibes: My sister should be coming back to the states this week from Iraq for two weeks of R&R. Most of the time she is here she will be staying at the Random Condo with me and Mr. Random. Yay! She is supposed to fly out Wednesday night/Thursday, but it may take until Saturday for her to get here, since she is flying on a space available basis and has to change planes in Atlanta. I just want her to get here safely. I miss her a great deal and will be so happy to see her. Please send many happy vibes her way so that she has a safe trip here . . . anything can happen, you know. I’ve read too many stories about bad things happening at the last minute . . .

Status of the Random Condo: It’s a gosh-awful mess. It will be a miracle if we can get the place presentable in time for my sister to arrive. Need to at least get the bathroom and the guest room considerably neatened up. This also means that I will lose the use of my new desk/work area, but I can easily suck it up and work on my bed again for the next few weeks.

Updating of Wardrobe: Been going on a tear the past couple of weeks, getting some new clothes. Still haven’t found boots yet, but I do have a new winter coat . . . for once winter actually gets here. Get COLD, darn it! I’m trying to upgrade my wardrobe and have some nicer casual things that I can wear to school and on weekends, while at the same time upgrade my work wardrobe so at least I’ll feel like I look good not matter how lousy it is there . . .

Child’s Birthday Ideas: Have to go to a one year-old’s birthday party on Saturday. This child is not hurting for anything, so I am at a loss to know what to get him. He has very well-to-do parents, so I’m kind of feeling intimidated. Any ideas?

Overwhelmed: Yup, I’m there! There are a lot of wonderful things going on in my life right now, but are being outweighed by one really lousy one. It’s a big mental bummer. But I press onward, trying to stay optimistic.

I hope everything is going well for you, my lovely readers! I’m waving cheerfully at you through cyberspace and sending many happy vibes your way.

Ten Second Random Movie Review

Photo by James Devaney - © WireImage.com - Image courtesy WireImage.com

Saw the new George Clooney movie, Michael Clayton, over the weekend. It was playing in only one theater in the area – I read that it only opened in 15 theaters in the country this week - and it will open wider within the next few weeks.

I don’t see that many movies, but darn it, I really liked this movie. It is a really gripping drama and you have to pay close attention through the whole thing. It isn’t violent, but in some ways it is disturbing and it will make you think a bit. If you like fast-paced action movies, this isn’t one of those.

I can’t really talk about the plot without giving some stuff away, but you can easily search for info online. George Clooney and Tom Wilkinson were awesome and Tilda Swinton was very believable as a General Counsel who is in way over her head. I identified with the insecurity way too much . . .

The scene that most disturbed me in the film, was a scene that happened much too quickly – but that was the whole point of it, I think . . .

If you like this kind of movie, please do go see it and support this sort of thoughtful film. And George doesn’t look too bad in it either . . .