I realize that it has been way too long since I updated my blog...but I've been busy.
I've been living in Orlando since May, and truly can't decide if I love this weather or hate it. However, it's finally feeling like fall here, which I way dig.
Working for Disney is crazy, and I love it. It's what I've always wanted to do, and I'm excited to see where it takes me. The program I'm on here is slightly less than I expected, but I'm still loving what I'm doing. Plus, I get to just hang out at the most magical place on earth whenever I feel like it. Awesome? I'd say so.
Today I'm celebrating my birthday...so weird. I'm celebrating with people I've only known since May and although I miss my friends across the country, I'm thrilled to have these people in my life.
This really isn't even an update. But once again, I have to get going.
As I sit here, watching the fantastic film that is 'National Treasure', I started to realize how important the score of a movie is. I mean, I know it adds TONS to the film, but if you take the time to block out the dialogue and just listen to the music..it's amazing to see the difference it makes.
So, to bring all of you into this wonderful-ness, I thought I'd post a list of who I think are some freaking fantastic composers, and I included some of the songs that I love. Check it out!
THE LIST: Composers
1.) Alan Menken Alan Menken has composed several Disney films and Broadway shows, and I really just love his work. He did 'Little Shop of Horrors', 'Little Mermaid', 'Aladdin', 'Beauty and the Beast', and 'Enchanted', just to name a few. Here are some songs you should check out: Into The Well- from 'Enchanted' Narissa Arrives- from 'Enchanted' Prologue/ Little Shop of Horrors- from 'Little Shop of Horrors'
2.) Danny Elfman Okay, if you don't know who Danny Elfman is, you may have lived in a box for a while. He's done some amazing work. He works with Tim Burton quite a bit (Sleepy Hollow, Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, etc.). He's pretty freaking fantastic. Some songs to check out: Desperate Housewives Theme- from 'Desperate Housewives' Beetlejuice: Main Titles/End Titles- from 'Beetlejuice' What's This?- from 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Spidey Suite- from 'Spiderman'
3.) David Holmes So, I won't lie. I don't know too much about David Holmes. Except for the fact that he composed 'Ocean's 13', which is one of my favorite movies. I'd download 11, 12 & 13- from 'Ocean's 13'. It's my favorite of his.
4.) James Newton Howard James Newton Howard, Danny Elfman and Trevor Rabin are my three favorite composers. And James Newton Howard is probably my all time favorite. He's worked with M. Night Shyamalan a ton, and he always adds an element to those films that is just amazing. Here are the songs you HAVE to check out: Hanging Ghosts- from 'The Sixth Sense' Those we don't speak of- from 'The Village'
5.) John Williams How could I write something about composers and NOT include John Williams? Go download March (from Raiders of the Lost Arc) and then go have an adventure. You know you want to.
6.) Trevor Rabin I LOVE Trevor Rabin. Mainly because of 'National Treasure', and how amazing the score is. Download the National Treasure Suite from National Treasure. It's so amazing. Then go watch 'National Treasure' and 'National Treasure: Book of Secrets'. Freaking fantastic.
7.) Hans Zimmer One word: Pirates. Hans Zimmer is the genius behind the Pirates of the Caribbean scores. Go download any songs off of those albums. They're all pretty dang good.
Now, those are just a few composers. However, take the time to explore the scores of your favorite movies. You'll find a whole new appreciation for those insane action scenes, those intense moments and the killer endings. Enjoy!
I recently (and by recently, I mean 4 hours ago) got back from Disneyland. I've been several times, my dad even use to work in the park. However, it never fails to amaze me:
You can always find even the tiniest bit of wonder and magic there.
I know, some of the rides are breaking down, and the park is usually always packed with screaming kids, but when you sit down and watch those fireworks..it's just amazing. There is some kind of awe-inspiring majestic aspect to it all that makes you want to be a kid forever.
I will always love meeting characters and riding the Jungle Cruise and enjoying a stroll through Fantasy Land.
But the firework will always hold special memories for me. I remember sitting on my dad's shoulders and watching them. I remember being 12 years old and sitting right next to the castle and trying to leave right after. I remember being in Disneyworld and standing right under the Matterhorn when Tinkerbell flew over. I remember at Christmas, being amazed at the castle covered in snow. And I remember Tuesday, April 1st, 2008, being freezing cold, sitting outside Star Traders and watching the most amazing fireworks show ever.
It never fails to amaze me how Disney has kept the magic going all these years.
I haven't updated in a bit, so I wanted to just write some little blurbs about how life has been going/ some stuff you should check out.
Here goes nothing:
- Recently, I've been lucky enough to hang out with two guys for bluefishtv.com. It's been so cool! These guys are hilarious, plus, I look super awesome having people with cameras following me around.
- Right now, I'm listening to Barenaked Ladies. I know, crazy name, but they are probably one of my favorite bands. 'Tonight is the Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel' is one of the most genius songs...ever. Download it now.
- I also love LOVE Vitamin String Quartet (or The Vitamin String Quartet). The cover popular songs on string instruments like violin, cello, viola..all kinds of stuff! It's amazing! May I suggest downloading the tribute to Switchfoot. It is EPIC.
- There is this tea store in San Francisco called Lupicia and it is so awesome. It's all loose leaf tea that you french press, and may I say that it is delicious. In the same mall that Lupicia is in, there is a place called Teaz Me. It's like Starbucks...only with tea instead of coffee. The chocolate chai...fabulous.
- Sunshine toast is one of the greatest foods ever. It's just an egg inside a piece of toast...but it is amazing, and I love it. Quite a bit.
- I keep re-watching episodes of shows where people are facing their greatest nightmare/ questioning faith/ realizing death. (Specific episodes I'm referring to are: 'Dream a Little Dream' from Supernatural season 3, 'Touched' from Supernatural season 2, and 'Some Kind of Miracle' from Grey's Anatomy season 3. All downloadable in iTunes.) These are such great, thought provoking episodes. Check them out.
The other day, someone asked me for a brief little description of what I want to do in life. I thought it was interesting, seeing as this person knows me quite well, that they didn't know. So, I'm going to let you, the lovely people reading this, what I want to achieve in life. Why?
Because I can.
So!
-By the time I'm 30, I want to own my own restaurant. Yes, full fledged restaurant.
-In the next two years, I'm planning on working/opening on a cupcake bar with my Mom. Think Sprinkles, just not as fancy and hardcore.
-I'd really like to get at least one script of mine used for television. I have a lot saved up. Know anyone? Let me know.
-I'd also love to do gore makeup for some sort of horror movie. I love the fact that I was trained on it, plus, I think I'm pretty good. And come on...how cool would it be to say "Hey, see that flesh eating zombie right there? I created that dude!"
-Hopefully, the way I'm living my life as a Christian will have an impact. I'd love to see how God is going to use me to influence his Kingdom. Talk about SERIOUS awesome right there.
-I want to keep going with theatre. Technical work, being on stage, whatever. I just love it. My goal for this: make it out of the Carson Valley and do at least 3 shows.
Those are just a few of the things. The list goes on. Yeah, some are pretty far fetched, and may not happen, but why not plan for it and try and MAKE it happen? You won't get anywhere without hope and a lot of work.
So, I've fully decided to stop waiting to write things in here until I've thought of something super witty or profound, and I'm just going to write things that are interesting to me, fascinate me, or just plain annoy me. Or that I think you'll find slightly amusing. So here goes:
I don't really like to say I watch reality TV, but I do. I'm kind of an addict. Plus, I had kind of prepared myself to live on it in case of the writer's strike really going south. I'm going to list a few favs, why I love them oh so much, and why YOU should set your TiVo's and/or stop reading this and go watch.
Here comes...The List
The Listtttt: Reality TV
1.) SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Why I love it: Although the show isn't on right now (it's a summer season show), it's so awesome. My favorite by far. I'm sorry American Idol fans, but this IS my American Idol. It involves GREAT dancing, witty characters, fantastic costumes, lovely camera work and a host that ain't all that bad. I've watched it for two seasons now, and as it goes into it's 4th, I'm stoked. Plus, the top 10 go on tour and they have just as much fun on the tour as they do while filming.
Why You should love it: It's so much fun! I know what you might be saying, "But it's dannnncingggg. I don't like dancing." Yes, they do have ballroom numbers that aren't real 'fun', but they are beautiful. Most of the time though, you get to see people who have so much passion in what they do. Plus, the hip hop routines are crazy amazing, and all the latin ballroom? Dang! It's hot! They also do contemporary, which can get a little weird, but also tells a story and they have serious tricks. Check out these routines:
See! You loved them! Go watch more!
2.) DANCE WAR: BRUNO VS. CARRIE ANN
Why I love it: This is getting me through until SYTYCD comes back on. While it's not as awesome as SYTYCD, I do love it. It's the two judges from Dancing With The Stars, Bruno and Carrie Ann, and they've created teams that sing and dance and compete against each other. It's pretty intense. Plus, it is done LIVE (recorded East Coast time). For example, in the first week of performances, one of the guy's mic went out, right as he went into a solo. So basically, we heard...the back up vocals and saw him hoping his mic would come back. However, he went through it like a pro and didn't let it effect him. Plus, you can tell they really don't edit it. The notes some of the people hit are notttt pretty at times. They're still all amazingly talented, but..yeah..oh dang.
Why You should love it: The show has a lot of talent on it. These people have to sing AND dance, which is quite impressive. It's a little hard to get over Drew Lachey and his not so great jokes, but it's still a good show to watch on a Monday night if you're not a fan of American Gladiators, or have nothing better to do.
3.)TOP CHEF
Why I love it: I love Top Chef because it is IN-TENSE. I love the chefs (well..most of them) and seeing the awesome culinary works the produce. Again, the casting directors choose characters and they're hilarious. It's very entertaining, and a nice change from all of the instructional shows on Food Network.
Why You should love it: You should love Top Chef if you love food. They have challenges that involve going into gas stations and having to make a culinary masterpiece...or changing all-American dishes into low cholesterol meals that are still fabulous. New season premieres soon on Bravo! Check it out! They're going to be in Chicago. Heck yes.
4.)ACE OF CAKES
Why I love it: Refer to my last blog. I love this show for these awesome cakes. Just...read the last blog.
Why You should love it: Read the last blog. Seriously.
5.)THROWDOWN WITH BOBBY FLAY
Why I love it: Well, I love almost any show on Food Network. But watching Bobby Flay take on a bunch of chefs that are old ladies, or hometown heroes and watching him try and BEAT them in a cooking contest? It's priceless! Basically, he takes on someone who specializes in say..buffalo wings. He learns about what they do and how well they're known. Then Bobby Flay tries to make a better wing. He then goes and challenges the person to a throwdown. Judges are brought in and they decide who wins the throwdown. It's hilarious.
Why You should love it: You can watch Bobby Flay lose these throwdowns. Just..go watch it.
6.)SUPERNANNY
Why I love it: Jo is amazing. I have no idea how she has so much patience and grace. Maybe it's being British? Plus, it's nice to watch her really challenge these families and help them. I know, it's not that wonderful of a show. I mean, I get annoyed with these kids just WATCHING it, I can't imagine living with them. But I think that's why I love it.
Why You should love it: Jo's cute and British and awesome. Plus, when you get annoyed with a little kid somewhere, just think of one of the kids on the show..you'll soon forget your worries.
Anyway, that's the short list. Check out the shows, and enjoy!
If you haven't seen the show 'Ace Of Cakes' or at least heard of it, stop what you're doing, go to your television and find out what time Ace of Cakes will be on next. Then sit down, turn off your cellular device and your computer and watch.
And be AMAZED.
It's not that the show has some fantastic plot line or anything, but the cakes that this place (Charm City Cakes) turns out are AMAZING. The work they do is just incredible. Plus, the people that work there are real characters. Truly hilarious.
I mean, when I'm sick, (heck, even when I'm not sick) I love to sit and watch Food Network, but Ace of Cakes makes my day.
The crew of Charm City Cakes has an awesome work ethic and they are so freakin' talented. And hilarious.
I just thought I should tell you.
And I thought I'd mention that I want to be Mary Alice when I grow up.
