Extinction Brink

Bonneville Shoreline Trail
02-19-2016

Look at this animal that is real:





Listen to this song that is beautiful and that ANHONI didn't get to perform at the Oscars:





Laugh at this gif of what we all want:

"As we race toward the future, we must never forget the fundamental reality of our situation: we are flying blind"   

                                   - Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski                                        and John Peterson Myers                                                        Our Stolen Future

Don't you ever feel like a threatened species?

Film Friday

In honor of the Sundance Film Festival, here is some of my brother's best work. This is what we had to do before Vine and Snapchat, kids:

Nice shot of the ol' house

strangers on sleds

Baby brother, shreddin'

"Do it, Jer"

Squashed

yeah yeah yeah

That's all, folks.

Bonus! Click here for a scary movie.

Fantastique

I watched "Dior and I" last night with my mom and Christian, and loved it.This documentary follows Raf Simons as he takes the reigns of fashion house Christian Dior, 8 weeks before their Fall 2012 fashion show. Even thought the actual show took place almost 3 years ago, I was at the edge of my seat, anxious to see how everything would come together.

I recommend you watch it if you get the chance. I especially love how it brought a new sense of humanity to this side of fashion. Dior is HUGE. From ready-to-wear, to their makeup line to hand bags and shoes. All based on what their exclusive clientele want. The film touches on that when an unnamed client demands that one of the key seamstresses fly to New York for a fitting. You can't deny a customer who spends $350,000 a year on your brand...

But haute coututre, just feels different. Separate from money. It is true art. And look at the result! This is the man that made Jennifer Lawrence look more beautiful falling on the stairs then she did standing up. "Sublime,"as they say in the film.

Kanye knew what he was talking about, "...they don't make 'em like this anymore". He loves Dior. Or at least, the Dior girl.

And maybe I'm wrong and stupidly buying into the vision that the film sells. But I love it anyway. Nothing inspires me more than seeing people do what they love, and doing it well.

When I cam home, felt so inspired. I had a stack of books that I needed to tackle, and I knew right away which one I would start with Eccentric Glamour.

I love Simon Doonan. He is a hoot. He writes regularly for Slate where he is hilarious, offensive, and charming. So fun to read. I've only read the introduction to this booked, and I'm already converted. And I know he has some wisdom that I need to incorporate into my life. This girl thinks so too! Can't wait to start/finish this book. Review to come soon!

"When I think of my wife, I always think of her head..."

I've been in a literary slump, so I picked up Gillian Flynn's debut novel, "Sharp Objects" from the library yesterday. On a whim, I checked to see if a trailer had been released for the the movie version of Gone Girl. Guys, that book was addicting.

And they just so happened to release the trailer to the movie yesterday. Posted online at the exact moment I checked out her first book from the library. Coincidence? I think not. It was meant to be.

Watch it. I AM DYING.

Absolutely perfect casting. Cannot wait.

Your old people video of the day

Can't get over it.



And remember my favorite Young @ Heart Chorus? THEY HAVE A MOVIE!!!



I need to watch this yesterday.

Music for your Midweek: Foy Vance

I really really like Warm Bodies. And I'm grateful that it introduced me to this artist. Really lovely:

the odds are NEVER in our favor

OK OK OK

can't

handle

this.

Music for your Midweek: Masha Qrella

About a month or so ago, I checked out this movie from the library:

Paint Your Wagon

Doesn't it look great/awful? More specifically, Clint Eastwood's hair?!?! What is going on there?
I was inspired to pick it up, remembering a medley that the BYU Men's Chorus and Brian Stoke Mitchell did the a couple years ago at Homecoming Spectacular. I really liked it.

oh dear.

Anyway. 

After I watched the movie, (which felt like the longest in the history of the world), I looked up some of the music. It's pretty great. I found a super cute cover of "I Talk To The Trees" by Masha Qrella. I know nothing about this band, but found an adorable live version of the song. Hope you enjoy!  

Click here for the original if you want to compare.

Murmuration

Someone posted this video on Facebook, and I just had to share it. 

And we should all just watch Tree of Life.

Happy Birthday Harry

Guess what day it is...

It's Harry Potter's Birthday!

Eleven years ago, I celebrated his birthday with some of my best friends from Junior High. It was sort of a last big hurrah before we all headed off to different high schools. We came in costume, did trivia (at the time, I knew the exact number of staircases in Hogwarts), and played Quidditch. It was grand. I would post a photo of it for you, but I don't have one. Good thing too. I looked incredibly awkward. 

I love Harry Potter, and I'm so excited to be able to read it with my kids someday.

Thanks to Jessie for showing me this video almost a year ago.

P.S. This song is featured in the new Step Up movie. Which I'll talk about Friday. Maybe.

Memorial Day Weekend

I'll be spending Memorial Day Weekend in Salt Lake with the Fam. Nothing too exciting planned, though I assume we'll be making the cemetery rounds to visit family gravesides. Oh. And I NEED to see this:

I was so excited because it's opening this weekend... but only in L.A. and New York. Utah isn't even included on the list.

What the cuss.

When we do finally get it in theaters, I'll be ready. Bingo cards in hand:

You can go to Slate to print your own.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Watch my favorite movie. I'm doing you a favor.

I found out from this funny person that "The Fall" is available on Netflix streaming.

You should watch it.
It is also kinda violent in parts (Tarsem Singh is a little loco, but in a good way). It is obvious when you will need to close your eyes an ears.

But it is beautiful too.
One of the most beautiful things I've ever seen...

AND IT STARS THE GUY FROM PUSHING DAISIES!!!

You're welcome.

Really, how could you NOT watch it.

Actually, if you have the choice, DON'T watch it on Netflix on your lame-o computer. It should be viewed in all its Blu-Ray glory. If your nice, I'll let you borrow my copy.

This is just a "tribute"... get it?

I bring you this report in the late evening (early morning?) because I JUST got home from the Hunger Games. IT WAS GREAT. LUVD IT <3 A few notes:

1. In the battle between Team Peeta and Team Gale, I really think it's no contest. There is a clear winner:

I mean really. 

Those poor boys don't stand a chance. 

TEAM CINNA.

2. I love Stanley Tucci. I searched the internet high and low for that awesome theme music that played when his seat turned around for the interviews, but I couldn't find it. But I did find this video on youtube, with an equally "awesome" soundtrack. Enjoy:

3.  If I were actually in the Hunger Games, I would so not make it. Time to start building some skills, for reals. I want to be strong and fast and handy with a bow and arrow. I want to know how to set traps scurry up trees. And I especially want to learn how to braid my hair like this:

Honestly though. I wish I was as tough as Katniss. Did you know that people are creating "Hunger Games" fitness trainings? I know. Nuts. I totes want to do it. 

Did you like the movie? Did it meet your expectations? Are you going to see it again? Will you invite me to go with you?

ok

goooooooooodnight.

Top o' the mornin' to ye!

I love St. Patrick's day! I listened to Flogging Molly while working out this morning just to celebrate. I especially love today because it give me an excuse to watch this ridiculous and lovely movie:

Except for this part. WAY to scary. It gave me nightmares:

Tomorrow, we are having corned beef and cabbage. Life is good!

girl on fire

IT IS BEGINNING

I just finished listening to "World War Z" and "Catching Fire" (2nd in the Hunger Games trilogy). I'm in a bit of a dystopian mood, so if anyone has any book recommendations, I'm open to suggestions. ALSO. New song released for the HUNGER GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!! Sung by... T-Swift?

I don't care. I love it already. The Civil Wars are awesome.

September Mix: Do you got that sweet devotion?

This month has been the longest/shortest of my life. I can hardly bear it. I schedule and plan every minute; juggling between 7 classes, catering, ushering at the games, these classes (I have to go, I just HAVE to), spanish certification tests, group meetings, extra credit lectures, internship seminars, devotionals, firesides, FHE, nightly dinner group... and then every once and a while, I just cancel all those plans and do NOTHING. A deadly choice. Or watch as those plans fall apart while I shuffle through runny noses.
And believe it or not, I like it that way. All that chaos included. I must be some sort of masochist.
Ugh.
So anyway.
Here is the mix for the month. It is very lovey dovey.
What is with that?
It is true, most of my dearest friends are 1) married, 2) engaged, 3) in pretty good relationships. They are rubbing off on me I guess. So music will act as my boyfriend while I run around like a chicken with  it's head cut off. (none time = none boyfriend).
Listen, I guess.

1. Wearer of Masks - Many Mansions
2. Floating Vibes - Surfer Blood
3. Don't Say Oh Well - Grouplove
4. Honey Bunny - Girls
5. What Goes On (The Beatles Cover) - Sufjan Stevens
6. On Melancholy Hill (Live Lounge Version) - Gorillaz
7. Work - 1,2,3
8. #WhiteGirlProblems - Hoodie Allen
9. Crazy (Gnarls Barkley cover) - Ray LaMontagne
10. Addicted to Love (Robert Palmer cover) - Florence And The Machine
11. Fall Creek Boy's Choir - James Blake & Bon Iver
12. To Build A Home feat Patrick Watson - Cinematic Orchestra
13. Higher Love (Steve Winwood cover) - James Vincent Mc Morrow
14. Code Breaker  - Tunng
15. Audio, Video, Disco - Justice
16. I Stand Alone - Theophilus London
17. Further - Correatown
18. The Way I Feel Inside - The Zombies

NOTES:
2. This album was my jogging album of the summer.
3. We saw them we saw them! They are crazy fun. That hairy guitarist dances like a hobbit. Awesome.
4. bahahahahaha
6. This version is bril.
7. Tell me about it. This was running through my head as I stood in line at the testing center. "C's get degrees...C's get degrees".
8. BAHAHAHAHA. love love love this song.
10. Florence turns a song I did not like at all to something truly "addicting". Get it? haha? Ok. I'm not as funny as Hoodie Allen.
11. James Blake. Ok. He is my fake music boyfriend. It's decided.
12. Thanks to Jessie for helping me find this song.
14. Uh. Disregard the music video. I think they took things a little TOO literally.
15. yeah yeah yeah
16. I need to know more about this guy. He is great.
18. The most perfect, true to life, love song.

Faux Sea

Remember when I saw Little Birds and told you about the Salton Sea? Looks like that place has been captured on film again.



Salt and small towns.
False seas and desolation.
I like these things.

They are post-apocalyptic without actually going through an apocalypse.
Or maybe life is just one big apocalypse?

There's your deep thought for the day.

I've been reading a lot of Borges lately.
Can you tell?

North Carolina

John Nesbitt Loop soundtrack: Ben Kweller - On My Way

Good things come from North Carolina.
Like the Avett Brothers:


lovem

Also, my cousins, the Whites are here.

We took a trot around the loop, then to Cowboys and Aliens.
Did you know that Paul Dano is in it?
What a scamp.

Then spent the rest of the afternoon on the boat, on the beach, and in the water.
Perfect.

Did you know that this is the first time in probably about 10 years that I've swam in honest to goodness salty ocean? With sand and a beach and shells and everything? I've missed it.

Sweet pics coming soon. I am exhaust.
Yep.
Too tired for past participles.

"Old" Media

I am no longer up on what is cool and hip.

I rely on old comforts for my culture hit.

Like this movie.

We watched it tonight, and this clip cracked me up TOO much.

"You're a wizard, Harry"

Almost a week late, I finally watched the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Deux.
"What did I think about it?" you ask. "How did you feel?" What silly questions.

How would you feel as you watched your childhood disintegrate right before your eyes, crumbling and bursting into flames before it dies. And then how would you feel if you saw it "19 years later" and found that the product of your dreams was an emotionless, Justin Bieber-esque spawn and heroes that just got old and fat?
Yeah.
I'm talking to you Ron Weasley.

haha

just kidding

I loved the movie
DUUUUUUHHHHH

Did you see Griphook at the beginning was awesome!!! Did you see his teeth? Very scary.
And Hermione is very pretty.

OH

Speaking of pretty...
Have you seen Neville in real life?
From this:

To this:

For all of you doubters, that proves that the magic of Harry Potter is real.
He is my new favorite.

On a more serious note, this last Harry Potter book is near and dear to my heart.
Harry struggles as he deals with Dumbledore's death and the fallout afterward. His relationship with Dumbledore, and his ultimate loyalty kind of mirror my own meanderings, especially in regards to my faith. Really!

Harry feels confused, like he doesn't have enough help. The odds seem insurmountable. At the same time, an "expose" of Dumbledore is released, and Harry starts to doubt that he even knew the man he trusted for all of his adolescence.
There have been times when I've had trials, and wonder if I had "enough" to navigate through them. I didn't have the answers immediately, so I thought that meant I was doing something wrong, or that maybe I was looking to the wrong source for inspiration. The LDS church (especially lately) is often under scrutiny. Conversations about its "peculiar" past can easily turn heated.
As I've re-listened to Deathly Hallows and saw the movies, I've recognized lines that I've heard in my whole life. During my mission, people would often ask me If I was "sacrificing too much" (like Aberforth did to Harry. eh? EH?). And how I could keep my faith despite not having all the answers.

But I soon realized that faith isn't really about having all the answers. Though I couldn't always eloquently share my beliefs, I also couldn't deny what I knew. Those sort of convictions that come from the heart are always difficult to explain, but they are real.

"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?"

Long story short. I love Harry Potter. What are we going to do now? No more midnight screenings... No more book release parties... I guess it really is time to grow up.

OH. And in case you're worried about what the cast will do now that the series is over, you can rest easy. Tom Felton's gonna be a rapper: