Monday, August 27, 2007

The Devil's in the Details

The worst part of moving is the last minute details. Going through my closet is easy compared to the boxes under my bed full of stuff I hardly ever use. How do you get rid of a glue gun? I'm a Mormon girl, I think I got it as a free gift when I bought my scriptures.

Plus today, I had to go to the social security office and apply for a replacement card. The 1 hour wait was made only slightly tolerable by the people watching. Most of it was your average disability claims and other people who'd lost their cards. But there was a group of 3 guys immigrating from Africa. And my favorite was a woman who wanted a new SS number for her daughter because her current number had 666 in it.

I'm excited to move but still have to make it through the rest of the packing, a visit to the mechanic, and a trip to the DMV.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Top 5: Movies About Music

Having recently seen High Fidelity, I was reminded of how much I liked the "top 5" thing he does throughout the movie. So here's my top 5 of movies about music (in no particular order).

1) High Fidelity - Duh, of course this had to make the list, it inspired the list. John Cusack back when I would have still wanted to date him. It takes place in a record store. It's a love story not only about his girlfriend but about music.

2) Almost Famous - I like the scene after Russell (Billy Crudup) went to the party and jumped off the roof and the whole band is back on the bus, mad at him. Tiny Dancer comes on and, one by one, they start singing and the anger fades away. I like when Elaine (Frances McDormand) has a breakdown in front of her class and says, "Rock stars have kidnapped my son!" I swear I don't really like Elton John all that much but this movie does include one of my favorite songs by him, "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters." Overall, I like music from the 70s, it's what I grew up on. And I think Patrick Fugit is adorable.

3) Pretty in Pink - More of a teen drama than specifically about music but this was probably the first soundtrack that I loved. And it's still great. I remember I wore a pink satin Esprit shirt to see it and of course, all day, I was obnoxious saying I was Pretty in Pink. Favorite lines:
Blaine: "That's it, Stef. She thinks you're $h!t. And deep down, you know she's right."
Duckie: "His name is Blaine? Oh! That's a major appliance, that's not a name!

4) Singles - About people and how their love of music ties them all together. I once told a guy I would marry anyone who could play me Waterfall by Jimi Hendrix on guitar. I love the scene in the grocery store when Steve (Campbell Scott) is buying a pregnancy test, the cashier is Doug Hughley (Jeremy Piven) who recognizes Steve from his college radio show and starts mixing Public Enemy and Elvis Costello, "What's so funny about peace, peace, peace, love and understanding, death row, what does a brother know." And the cameos - Eric Stoltz as a mime, Eddie Vedder as a terrible musician "A compliment for us is a compliment for you", and the one scene with Chris Cornell. I remember before I saw this movie on a date, my friend, Christine, told me to sneeze and see what my date said. And after the movie, I still think of it every time I pull up someone's car door button. Remote power locks have ruined this display of love. And I'm pretty sure every girl anywhere near my age would love a boy to stop by their house and say, "I was just nowhere near your neighborhood." Favorite attempt at a pick-up line: "There is so much life in you and so much emotional larceny in these others."

5) Josie and the Pussycats - OK, I'm just kidding....

5) This Is Spinal Tap - "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever" and luckily this movie is on the right side of that line. From the many cameos including Paul Shaffer, Billy Crystal, Dana Carvey, and Fran Drescher to the eternally quotable lines. This movie is the original and ultimate mockumentary. If you love Best in Show and A Mighty Wind but haven't seen this, see it tonight, it's the grandfather of all the others. And these guys actually toured and even had a reunion tour. Favorite lines: When Nigel freaks out about the small bread and large cold cuts and how he can't fold the bread.
And of course the classic:

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Like Sands Through the Hourglass...

34 years ago at this moment (5am SC time which is 3am UT time), I was born.

So far it's been pretty good, I spent Friday with my mom, we got lunch, saw Becoming Jane, went to IKEA, got all new bedding, and had dinner. The new bedding:
My dad sent me a woodcut by Kent Ambler that I had seen on my June trip to SC and loved. I already mentioned this when I guest blogged on {frolic!} but I love it enough to mention it at least a few more times. The woodcut:
Saturday I went to the Farmer's Market and Italian Festival with Lena, where I had some gelato. I'm pretty sure it didn't remind her too much of her recent trip to Italy but it was still fun. That night I went to Market Street Grill with friends from work and to see Stardust. So good!

Tonight, Liz is hosting a party. Should be fun.

I like to think that 34 is still "early" 30s but I know it's not. My dad, on the other hand, likes to bring up how I am now in my 35th year. Does he know this makes him older too?

Either way, Happy Birthday To Me. This should be a pretty exciting year. Stay tuned.

Friday, August 10, 2007

See, I Told You

At the end of my Life Is Good post, I said I knew even better things were on the horizon. And I was right!

I just got my first assignment with my travel nurse agency. It's been in the works for a while, 1 1/2 years, 3 months, or just a few weeks depending on how you look at it. I wanted to travel right out of school but you have to have at least a year of experience so I moved from Portland to Salt Lake for a change while getting that experience. 3 months ago I mentioned this to Kaylyn, a nurse at work. She wanted to travel too so we decided to try for September. A few weeks ago, I called an agency and started the process. A few days ago, I had an interview. And today, I got an offer!

We originally wanted to go to Boston or Austin but neither of those worked out for various reasons. So we expanded our search and I now have a place to live in September.

My first assignment is in Fairfax, Virginia, just outside Washington DC. I'm so excited. I really think this a perfect first assignment for me. My friend, Emily, lives there and we've been friends since we were 7. I have a cousin there too and a few friends from Portland have moved there. Plus Kaylyn got an offer to the same hospital. I wouldn't have known anyone in Boston. This will be a big change so it will nice to have a few friends immediately.

It's always reassuring when my risks turn out to have been worth taking. I gave notice on my apartment 11 days ago and at work too so I would have been homeless without a job.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Life Is Good But This Is Gross

I don't eat red meat or pork but back when I did eat bacon, I always liked when the syrup from the pancakes got on the bacon, but this is a bit too far. It's like the entree and dessert all in one meal.

Life Is Good

Why is it good? It's the simple things...

Most of my stuff is already sold which is a huge relief and a nice bit of extra $.

My landlord came and put a window AC in my kitchen. Who knew 3 cubic feet of plastic and electronics could make me so happy!

And I know even better stuff is on the horizon. I'll keep you posted.

Monday, August 06, 2007

Once

So I finally saw Once today. I really enjoyed it. I liked that it was basically a musical, the songs last much longer than in a non-musical. I liked the way their lives wove together through a chance meeting. I liked the lead "girl," Marketa, and how she encouraged their relationship just by being herself and by asking somewhat presumptuous questions like if this stranger could fix her vacuum. It was so real, nothing in it felt faked or just put in the movie because someone had a good idea for a specific moment that, in the completed movie, seems out of place. The movie feels like the perfect glimpse into these real and beautiful lives.

But why am I such an American? Why do I feel like a movie's not over till Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are together in the end?

Thursday, August 02, 2007

I'm Moving! Buy My Stuff!

So I have a new temporary blog. I'm moving and I posted all the stuff I'm selling on the new blog with photos and descriptions.

Check it out. And buy something!