Changed my name, go to my new site. It's oblivious_red.

Currently Watching Northfork By Nick Nolte, Duel Farnes, Anthony Edwards see related

Hmmm...this is turning into a movie review page...if you don't want to read my little review, skip the next two paragraphs. But then, you'll never know what Northfork was like. You'll wonder through your whole life...yup.

I just saw a really unconventional, surreal, emotional, but still well made movie. A really small film from a few years back- Northfork. It was about a tiny Montana town which is planned to be flooded in two days and the people who try to stay there, the evacuating men, and a sick boy left behind with the town priest to take care of him. It was about transitions and loss.

In some moments it looked like a normal drama, but sometimes it was like looking at a Salvador Dali painting. It blended fantasy and reality together like you've never seen it. At first I was literally so confused over what was going on, but when I figured it out I could enjoy it. But even then there were still some "huh?" moments. You have to get into a certain mindset to watch it. I don't know...and it didn't have a conventional movie plot thing going on at all. It kinda did its own thing there. And it was absorbing. Emotionally. And mentally because it was so symbolic. And the visuals were awesome. It was a little like a piece of poetry in movie form. Everyone has their own interpretation. See it if you want to see something REALLY different. And thoughtful and creative.

Anyways...in real life. Went to the pool with Sarah today. Twas much fun. But the sun was bright and since I CAN'T FIND MY SUNGLASSES (which I spent a whopping twelve bucks on) that part wasn't fun. Then I went to help at IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network...services for homeless with a bunch of churches). I was actually very unnecessary and useless. I feel like I cheated in getting this to count as community service. Man, one of those people had seven daughters all under ten. Single father. Could you imagine having to deal with that?

Been thinking about...man, I hate saying this, but here goes..."my future." What will it be- music, psychology, community service? Or maybe it wll be something else- social work, nutrition? Who knows? Am I even good enough to be a musician? And there's just toooo much to choose from with all the specializing in every single thing. I wish I could just choose so I could concentrate on that instead of devoting myself in every way to a million different things.

This was lengthy, sorry guys. I didn't update for a while so I had to make up for it!

Peace and love,
Michelle

Just saw Star Wars.  I think it falls into the category of movies so bad they're good. The dialogue was laughable. Here's a sample:

Anakin: You're so beautiful.
Padme: It's because I'm in love with you.
Anakin: No, it's because I'm in love with you.

Imagine that, with mediocre acting, times two hours. I cracked up over the dialogue at least three times. Seriously, what were they thinking? I bet my six-year-old cousin could have written a more interesting script. If the writers wanted it to be good, they could have just about saved it. But there was NO character development, rarely any suspense, and no depth. The acting was all right. Mediocre. Not phenomenal, but mostly watchable.  Man, it had a pretty good plot set-up and everything and it could have been good...they knew it was going to bring in money...so why not take pride in your work?

But I have to give credit to the visuals. There was some pretty good stuff in there as far as that was concerned. And the fight scenes were kind of fun to watch, even if they dragged out too long. But I remember why I don't like movies like this- full of fluff but no substance. Why I like things like good, old-fashioned character development.

But I got free popcorn. Only on Wednesdays. That was a plus.

Know what I really want to see? Mad_Hot_Ballroom.

Sorry for the lengthy review. Just had to get it all out. That's what Xangas are for, I guess.

Love y'all,
Michelle

How's it going my peoplez? Life's good here. I just made a Mexican bean pie for supper. It was awesome, if I do say so myself.

Well, well...today I went to orientation at Ten Thousand Villages. I'm volunteering partly for community service hours and partly to stave off the guilt of not doing anything beneficial to the rest of the world. It's a good cause. Instead of just giving people money or food which they'll use up and be back to square one, it helps them to fend for themselves.

And I'm doing VBS (vacation Bible school). I'm in charge of music...I went there today and thought the music director would be there and I found out that it was apparantly just me. It wasn't too bad, I just had to hold up a poster of the song lyrics and lead them while Doug managed the tape player. That turned out bad...we spent about ten minutes while he tried to rewind it to the right spot. And apparantly there was a rap CD in there which was "accidentally" turned on at opportune moments. I need to make up motions to the songs tonight...and I have no idea how we'll do the same two songs all week long...

Has anyone seen Hotel Rwanda? I saw it the other day and it was very good. Good acting, suspenseful, all the good elements. But it was really disturbing. People motivated by blind hate (not as if that's new, but...) killing and torturing and mutilating even a million people...I can't even imagine living with that fear, not in my safe American bubble. And it's still going on in so many countries, that's the worst part. I'm in awe that so many people can be so senseless. And that Africa is never an issue here. Because it looks too hard? Because we don't like to think about it?

Here we are going on about silly little issues that the extreme right builds up, that are so easy to become passionate about and we fall into that trap time and time again while  important things like Africa are being almost completely ignored. Let's see...mass genocide or gay marriage? And of course we pick gay marriage. And the Confederate flag. And Michael Jackson. . We're a silly, silly country.

Sorry about the length here. I'll be leaving now.

EDIT: I just figured something out. I have used AIM and email so little for who knows how long that I realize that I don't even know them for about three fourths of my friends. It doesn't help that I've changed email names about three times...I am hard to keep up with. So everyone who comments here, please leave your AIM and email in case I don't know them. And I will start using them, I swear!!!

And if you have seriously read everything up to this point, you are my favorite person and you get a shiny gold star!

Much love,
Michelle

Today was bunches of fun. I went to Chili's with Laura and Kylea and it was goood. I had a huge bean burger and we split our traditional molten chocolate cake. As usual, it was awesome. We talked, we laughed.

I need a profile picture. But alas, I have no functional digital camera. Does anyone have a digital picture of me that I could use? Preferably something amusing. Send it to me if you do and you will be my hero!

I have happy news. For me, anyways. I had a doctor appointment today for a prescription refill and they weighed me and I'm back to what I was last month, so no one can get on my back now for not eating enough since I was right and it was just camp!

Now I can just concentrate on getting muscles. That's right, one of these days I will have at least one teaspoon of upper body strength.

I'm listening to that one sad song from the Lion King when Simba's father died. Awwww!!! I know, the Lion King...I'm pretty sad. Maybe I'm just a little kid at heart.

Hmmm...now it's some Asian sounding song. Interesting.

AND I finished my first summer reading book. I actually really liked it, even though I'm not a nonfiction type of person and it was an autobiography. It was just so well written and honest and genuine. I enjoyed it.

Ohhh, Johnny Cash is on. Good stuff. I know, I know...but it grows on you after you hear it played countless times from your dad's car...and boombox...and stereo...

I think I'm rambling at this point. Yeah, I am.

Hope y'all are doing fine and dandy. Oh yeah, if you know where I can find a good pair of brown flip flops not made from leather please let me know. My search is failing!

Much love and God bless,
Michelle