11 Movies to Watch For

1. 

"Upside Down": An otherworldly romance starring Kirsten Dunst and Jim Sturgess. Just look at those colors.

2.

"Snow White & the Huntsman": You'll probably laugh at me for this one, but I think it looks awesome and Chris Hemsworth is extremely attractive.

3.

"The Hunger Games": I just finished reading this book and it was quite good. I liked Jennifer Lawrence in X-Men First Class, so I think I will really like her as Katniss. I watched some BTS last night with my friend and it showed her training and doing some stunts. She has really put a lot of work into it, and I respect that.

4.

"Apart": This film looks so interesting and haunting. I have a feeling it's going to leave me feeling similarly to "After Life" - like my brain has just been fucked. Pardon my French. Couldn't think of a better way to express that.

5.

"Salmon Fishing in the Yemen": It's been a while since I've cared about Ewan McGregor. This, however, looks quite good. And I'm always pleased by the performances of Emily Blunt (even in "Gulliver's Travels").

6.

"The Five-Year Engagement": Another Emily Blunt. It probably won't be the greatest movie of all time but I'm pretty easily amused and it looks like something that could give me a few chuckles.

7.

"Seeking a Friend for the End of the World": Ditto. Plus, I am rarely let down by Keira Knightley's choice in roles. 

8.

"The Avengers": Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans,...I might need to watch this one by myself.

9.

"The Amazing Spider-Man": Because who wouldn't love Andrew Garfield in tights and Emma Stone in blonde? Plus, I still loves me some Spidey. I'm a geek. Get over it.

10.

"On the Road": This just looks like a great cast and it's Jack Kerouac, so come on!

11. 

"American Reunion": Gang's all here!

Frank Turner Friday: The Road

from Sarah

So, a week ago I got to see Frank Turner live; he did not disappoint. As I said on Monday, he ended the night with Queen's "Somebody to Love." I was really impressed with how well he and band The Sleeping Souls covered it. Especially the guitar solo; nicely done. Anyway, we (my friend Sarah and I) got to meet him after the show and he was very friendly and pleasant. I have to give him props for managing to stay so down to earth amongst so many drunk people hanging on him.

Me and Frank. Geez, he's tall.

We had positioned ourselves fairly close to the stage and we were up on a step so that we could see over some very large gentlemen up front. Some kids squeezed themselves in front of us and one of them was so close to me that I could see his dandruff inches in front of my face. The back of his head was eclipsing my vision. I told him, "Dude, you're way too tall to be right in front of me," and he graciously moved away and apologized.

from Sarah

Sarah and I had a great time and we were both getting a little crazy. I was pretty much shouting every lyric I knew while jumping up and down, and Sarah was shamelessly dancing to her hearts content. I could tell some of the people around us were a little unnerved by our behavior but I think most people understood we were just having a good time and encouraged it. I mean, that's what going to shows is all about, right?

One of the songs in his set was, "The Road," and it got the everyone in the audience moving. Sarah and I weren't the only ones dancing crazy then. It's one of my favorites. Here it is:

Gold.

"The Road" by Frank Turner
To the east to the east
The road beneath my feet
To the west to the west
I haven't got there yet
And to the north to the north
Never to be caught
To the south to the south
My time is running out


Ever since my childhood I've been scared I've been afraid
Of being trapped by circumstance and staying in one place
So I always keep a small bag full of clothes carefully stored
Somewhere secret somewhere safe
And somewhere close to the door


Well I've traveled many countries I've washed my feet in many seas
I've drunk with grifters in Vienna and with punks in old dc
And I've driven across deserts driven by the irony
That only being shackled to the the road could ever I be free


To the east to the east
The road beneath my feet
To the west to the west
I haven't got there yet
And to the north to the north
Never to be caught
To the south to the south
My time is running out


I've felt old before my time but now I keep the age away
By burning up the miles and yeah by filling up my days
And the nights a thousand nights I've played
And a thousand more to go
Before I take a breath and steal myself
For the next one thousand shows


To the east to the east
The road beneath my feet
To the west to the west
I haven't got there yet
And to the north to the north
Never to be caught
To the south to the south
My time is running out


Yes so saddle up your horses now and keep your powder dry
Cause the truth is you won't be here long
Yeah soon your going to die
To the heart, to the heart there's no time for you to waste
You wont find your precious answers now by staying in one place
Yeah by giving up the chase


To the east to the east
The road beneath my feet
To the west to the west
I haven't got there yet
And to the north to the north
Never to be caught
To the south to the south
My time is running out
To the south to the south
My time is running out
To the south to the south
My time is running out


I face the horizon everywhere I go
I face the horizon the horizon is my home
I face the horizon everywhere I go
I face the horizon the horizon is my home

Mix Tape Monday: Let Me Live

As you may know, I went to see Frank Turner live on Friday night. What you don't know, however, is that he ended the night with "Somebody to Love" by Queen. It made me really happy. Because I've loved Queen ever since I first sang along with Wayne and Garth jamming to Bohemian Rhapsody in their car.

Was that a run-on? I think it was. Oh well.

Anyway, I have this weird thing where I only listen to certain genres of music in certain seasons. It's not a rule. It just happens that way. Maybe it's because my moods change with the seasons. Whatever. My classic rock season is late Spring/early Summer. So, I jumped the gun a little this year and we can blame it on Frank.

All weekend after the show I kept playing "Let Me Live" on repeat. This song never gets old. I love that Freddie, Brian AND Roger sing. I love the choir-like harmonizing. I love Brian's fantastic guitar solo. I mean, no one can make a guitar sing the way Brian can. He's ridiculous. So here's one of my all time favorites, enjoy!

P.S. Here's a link to an earlier version of the song. Read the comments. They're entertaining.

P.P.S. I don't much like the video. If you want to be cool, just close your eyes and listen.




"Let Me Live" by Queen
Oooh, take a piece of my heart
Oooh, take a piece of my soul
Let me live, oh yeah

Why don't you take another little piece of my heart
Why don't you take it, and break it, and tear it all apart
All I do is give, All you do is take
Baby why don't you give me a brand new start

So let me live (so let me live)
Let me live (leave me alone)
Let me live, oh baby, and make a brand new start

Why don't you take another little piece of my soul
Why don't you shape it, and shake it, 'Til you're really in control
All you do is take, and all I do is give
All that I'm asking, is a chance to live

(So let me live) so let me live
(Leave me alone) let me live, let me live
(Why don't you let me make) a brand new start... Yeah
And it's a (long hard struggle) yeah
But you can always depend on me
And if you're (ever in trouble) - hey
You know where I will be

Why don't you take another little piece of my life
Why don't you twist it, and turn it, and cut it like a knife
All you do is live, all I do is die
Why can't we just be friends, stop living a lie

So let me live (so let me live)
Let me live (leave me alone)
Please let me live (Why don't you live a little)
Oh yeah baby (Why don't you give a little love)

Go for it baby Let me live, Please let me live
Oh yeah baby, let me live
And make a brand new start

Let me live (let me live), Oooh yeah (let me live), Come on (let me live)
In your heart
(Take another piece, take another piece)
(Take another piece, take another piece)
Please let me live
(Take another piece, take another piece)
(Take another piece, take another piece)
Why don't you take another, take another piece of my piece of my heart
Oh yeah baby
Make a brand new start baby, baby, baby
All you do is take (let me live)
(Oooh, Let me live)
Let me live, live, live...

Frank Turner Friday: Rivers

I love this song so much. One, it makes me really want to go to England. Two, it does make me appreciate home a little more. Every place has history and character and life, you just have to be open to recognize it.

P.S. The violin is beautiful.

P.P.S. Today is going to be the most magical Frank Turner Friday EVER because I'm going to see him play live tonight. That's right. Be jealous. I'm already geared up with war paint.

Rad? I think so.



"Rivers" by Frank Turner
Our history runs down our rivers
Down our rivers to the sea
Reminds us of the things that matter
Home and hearth and history
All our sins will be forgiven
Washed away to set us free
By the rivers that run through our homesteads
By myth and modal melody

I trace these rivers from the cities to the seas
To remind me what I already know
I trace the shorelines through a thousand estuaries
To remind me an island is my home
An island is my home

I traveled far across this country
Nourthumberland to Southern Downs
I wandered up the rolling Humber
And down the Thames to London town
Countless lives were lived and lingered
In the Cotswolds and the Fells
And left a tapestry called England
Of life and those who lived it well

I trace these rivers from the cities to the seas
To remind me what I already know
I trace the shorelines through a thousand estuaries
To remind me an island is my home
An island is my home

Around here the sky's a little closer
A little closer to the ground
It's hard for someone to get lost here
Harder still to get found
Though I've seen a thousand rivers
From the Mississippi to the Rhine
The only place I'd lay my hat down
Is by an English riverside

I trace these rivers from the cities to the seas
To remind me what I already know
I trace the shorelines through a thousand estuaries
To remind me an island is my home
An island is my home

Place your trust into the sea
It's kept us safe for centuries
It shapes our shore and steadily
It's care has brought us calm
When I die I hope to be
Buried out in English seas
So all that then remains of me
Will lap against these shores
'Til England is no more

Things I'm Loving This Week

1. The trees at Edgebrook. I love trees so much, but especially in the winter.
It's one of the few things I actually enjoy about winter.

2. The following furnishings I noticed at a local spa.

3. These prints I spotted at Target, of all places.

4. This lip balm called "Let Them Eat Cake" by Tokyo Milk that my friend Sarah gave to me for Christmas.

5. This Hammam hand scrub and cream by Davines, 

which, for some reason isn't on their website but can be purchased at Amazon.

6. This web short on Hulu: "Dating Rules from My Future Self"

Inspiration List #1: Light

Here's some blog designs that I really like. I'm looking at some darker schemes as well, so I will post my favs up later.

You Answer: Prose

I started reading this forum randomly and now I'm curious.

What's your favorite passage of prose?