Oh School Musicals...

Oh dear. Today I auditioned for my school's spring musical, Into the Woods, and boy did I fail. My drama teacher always tries to get me to participate in the annual plays and other activities that include acting, and I finally agreed to do the fall one-act plays. It was fun, I enjoyed myself, and apparently I did a good job. So, I thought to myself, wouldn't it be fun to do the musical!? Of course! I'd get to spend long hours at school after hours, hang out with all my friends, and act! Yipee! But then with a gasp I remembered that with a musical comes singing... uh oh... I don't generally get stage fright but when it comes to singing I freeze up like an ice sculpture. Well I voiced my concern to my drama teacher, and he spent 15 minutes trying to talk me into it by explaining how he would give me a role without a solo! Everything would be fine and dandy! and finished off his argument with the words "Darling, can anyone in this school actually sing?" (Of course, there are a few good singers, but it's basically true.) Then he calls over my friend Charles (who got the lead role in last year's musical Pippin) and has him describe his experience with the musical, to which Charles replies "Yeah, I was kinda reluctant to audition because I didn't want to sing. So he (my drama teacher) told me he'd give me a role without a solo, so I did it! And then I got the lead..." and my drama teacher immediately exclaims "Yes! See I lied! And I am probably lying right now!" Very reassuring...

Anyway, I handed in my audition form, psyched myself out of my my fear for a couple days and completely put off even looking at the song we were required to sing for the audition, until yesterday... the day before my audition... And I practiced, and I seemed to sing it adequately, I'm not a very skilled singer, so the best I could do. But as today wore on my nerves grew. And as everyone was warming up with our Chorus instructor before we broke up into pairs to rehearse I was actually shaking in fear. Thank god when it came to the actual audition the only people we had to perform in front of were our partner with whom we practiced a specific scene with, the Chorus teacher, and the drama teacher. But as soon as the piano started playing all my preparation flew out the window and I choked. Both times they had me sing. The second time, i got to the last few measures and just stopped singing. I think I saw my Chorus teacher wince. Thank god my acting seemed pretty good, and my drama teacher thinks I am a more than capable actress. But my god, it was probably one of the most terrifying moments of my life...

Inspirational Speech

So a guy came to speak at my school today about the Civil Rights movement and Rev. Martine Luther King jr.

It turns out that he was really close to the Reverend and Rosa Parks, and his life took place at the center of the whole movement. He began discussing political discourse and stated that he is beginning to see signs in the media today that remind him of the start of the Civil Rights movement. He told us about how he went from being raised in a family affiliated with the KKK to a Civil Rights Activist and in part of the story he mentioned that when he was called into the office of the Attorney General of Montgomery, Alabama after attending a sermon of King's to research the movement for a college paper, he was told "You have been influenced by communists." Apparently that was the common explanation for people supporting Civil Rights... Then he highlighted the fact that now, it's common to hear the PRESIDENT of the United States a "communist" or a "socialist". It's outrageous. And the similarities are terrifying.

He said something that really struck me, "Political discourse should reflect respect, or else it is a (hindrance?) to democracy." Because nothing people like Sarah Palin or Glenn Beck say seems to have any hint of respect for their opponent. Don't even get me started about Glenn Beck... our speaker even talked about some points that Glenn Beck has spoken of addressing 'his leadership in civil rights' and how our speaker was appalled to hear someone try to take the credit like that when it is so obviously false.

Also, earlier today I read an editorial in the New York Times by Paul Krugman called "The War on Logic". Much of the article was a little too partisan angry-liberal too me, I don't believe that the way to argue one's point is to just denounce your opponent. One should always maintain respect. Although I admit that I do go off every so often, it's hard to control sheer anger like that. But the last paragraph of the article really made spoke to me.

"Given that their minds were made up from the beginning, top Republicans weren’t interested in and didn’t need any real policy analysis — in fact, they’re basically contemptuous of such analysis, something that shines through in their health care report. All they ever needed or wanted were some numbers and charts to wave at the press, fooling some people into believing that we’re having some kind of rational discussion. We aren’t."

I haven't been able to read McCain's statement that he released yet, but I am eager to. I feel relief at the fact that Obama's former presidential opponent spoke up like that condemning the horrible behavior of late. At least some people in our government have compassion.

Shooting in Tucson

The shooting in Tucson, Arizona this past weekend has been stirring up a lot of talk in the Media and speeches about "Unity". But the far right are not even considering the possibility that anything they said could have compelled this man to attempt to assassinate a democratic congresswoman. I was driving home from school with my Dad the other day, and he brought up something he had heard on the news that day. I can't remember who exactly was speaking, he was a democratic, maybe a governor or a mayor, but they were discussing the shooting and the heated political rhetoric that has been growing more and more hostile as days go by. And he apologized for anything that he might have said that could have played a part in this horrible event. He probably had no reason to issue this apology, but in respect for the victims in the shooting and the recovering congresswoman he said it anyway! I have not hear one utterance from anyone in the republican party like this, they all claim that they did ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong. They may have, or maybe not, but they still won't even apologize for any slight detail they might have said that compelled this man to shoot innocent people. It's about compassion, and these people only have bitter pride.

Sarah Palin of course has been defending herself and her rhetoric as though someone is pointing a gun at her. (Which is the opposite of this situation) There has been talk about this map that she had posted on her website with CROSS-HAIRS over swing-districts with democratic congressmen and such. Since the incident she has removed the picture from her website but before she could take it off Facebook I copied it to my desktop, just in case. (I displayed it above) But she and others have exclaimed how it is ridiculous that this could have caused any effect on the shooter! It may not have effected him, or it may have. But pointing cross-hairs at democratic government officials... this woman is known for shooting moose from a helicopter and plenty of other gun-related issues. Most of her following support the right to own guns, and most of them probably own guns. Anyone with this background who follows this woman blindly could probably see this map as a sign that she wants them 'eliminated'. It's a possibility, I just think that it is irresponsible of someone to reference the act of SHOOTING SOMEONE in their political propaganda.

Too many movie reviews, but oh well...

I've noticed that out of the maybe 20 or so posts on this blog a lot of them have been movie reviews... oh well.

I saw Tangled today. And it was amazing. Actually. It was a cute spin-off from Rapunzel and the end was great! My friend (with whom I saw the the movie) also pointed out that they did not kiss on the boat under the lanterns, which, correct me if I'm wrong, is a first for Disney Princess movies. Most of the movies tend to have the romantic kissing scene with a cute song in the background and some kind of spectacular light show going on around them. I liked the break from tradition. Also, the ending was good. I'm not one for "happily-ever-after" but I was on the edge of my seat after Eugene/Flynn climbed into the tower the last time to rescue Rapunzel from her "mother". My mouth was hanging open the entire time and I was so absorbed in the scene that I didn't even pause to push the 3D glasses that were creeping off my nose. It probably would have made for a better ending, well a deeper ending, if he had died. But of course it's Disney and if he did the majority of the people in the theater (AKA those between the ages of 2 and 10) would probably cry and be confused... so that wouldn't work. But it still made for a better fairy-tale. Another observation I made, was that in EVERY disney movie there is always one person who gets drunk. Interesting, and more than a little funny since they are supposed to be children's films. Well I give it 5 stars (I may be a bit biased since I have short brown hair -if you see the movie you'll understand- and that's the first princess I've seen that shares the look) and I'm making sure to buy it and put it on all my portable-movie-playing-devices when it comes out.

The Movie Event of a Generation

Yes! The "Movie Event of a Generation"! (AKA Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, also known as HP 7) This past summer I was turned into a bit of a Harry Potter nerd by one of my friends who is more or less devoted to the books. Not in the fan-obsessed way, but more a quiet but sure understanding and knowledge of almost anything Harry Potter. It rubbed off on me, and Thursday night at 11:00 I made my way over to the local movie theater for the midnight premiere!

It was a friendly gathering of Harry Potter fans, some more into the event than others, but more or less a pleasant place. As everyone slowly filed into the theater and friends greeted each other as they passed, it seemed like everyone you knew was there. I saw people that I only run into 3 or 4 times a year, and a few teachers as well. There was yelling, laughing, and people shouting out quotes from the past movies and books, and quite a bit of singing. Mostly AVPM stuff. I used to opportunity to bring along my wand, paraphernalia from the Harry Potter magazine I used to get every christmas, which I had received as a present several years ago. A few other people had brought theirs as well (two people had the same one as me, Hermione's) and some people had even brought wands (sticks really) of their own making. But I was the only one who possessed one in my immediate group of friends present. The term "Pass me the wand!" became our favorite quote from the night.

When the trailers were over and the misty background that appears at the beginning of every HP movie appeared, I am proud to say that I was the first in our theater to yell "EVERYONE BE QUIET IT'S STARTING!" and to my surprise the din was immediately silenced. From then on the theater was as silent as the dead, with a few gasps or sobs with the deaths of Hedwig and Dobby, and quite a few laughs throughout the "romantic" scenes.

At the end of the movie we all loudly filed out of the theater jumping with excitement and discussing the quality of the movie (there was no point in discussing the plot since all of us had already known what was going to happen). When I arrived at my friends house a half hour later (I was sleeping at her house then going with her to school the next day since she can drive and I can't) she, her brother (who is in my grade) and I had an epic battle with my wand vs. his sword that he happened to have in his closet. We pretended it was the Sword of Griffindor and I expelliarmus-ed it out of his hand and into mine with my wand and proceeded to destroy a "Horcrux" AKA a small stuffed copy of the rabbit from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

The next day at school everyone was still buzzing with excitement about the night before, but soon it died down and we proceeded with our mostly-Harry-Potter-free lives, ready for the New York Wizard Rock Festival (which is this sunday and we are all attending). Although, the presence of my wand at school caused some disturbances and a bit of play-acting with people cursing each other (of course never with the worst of the three curses). And in my science class before our test, my teacher confiscated it from me for the period so that I wouldn't "use it to cheat on the test". I think it is easy to say that Harry Potter is a defining theme of my generation, and we are all immensely proud of that fact!

Mockingjay

So I haven't posted in quite a while. I have been pretty busy with school starting and everything. Also I was just lazy and I didn't have anything interesting enough to write about.

Well I figured I should write someone or else I would end up stop blogging altogether. So this post is going to be about Mockingjay the 3rd book in the Hunger Games! Amazing series, not so amazing last book. The first two books in the trilogy were AMAZING, they had me raving about them to anyone that would listen. They were packed to the binding with suspense, action, drama, comedy, and of course the perfect dose of romance. My fellow Hunger-fans and I sat patiently for months eagerly awaiting the release of the final installment in this thrilling series, Mockingjay. At last the time came, and on August 24 it was released!!! I had pre-ordered it months ago on Amazon and I made my mom pick up the package and bring it to me at work as soon as it arrived. I tore open the box squealing in delight as I saw the first glint of that beautiful blue cover peek out of the wrappings. I spent the next 2 hours blowing off my work and just read. I read and read and read, waiting for the same feeling of action-packed suspense that I got from the last two books to hit me, I waited until the very last page. But alas, it never came. When I at last finished the Epilogue (later that same day) there was a feeling of disappointment and anguish lurking in the depths of my heart. Where did all that excitement go? There wasn't even an epic face-off between Gale and Peeta over who would become Katniss's one and only true love. Only the two of them fidgeting and waiting for her to choose one of them while they tried not to kill each other out of jealousy, throughout the entire book. Collins had SO MANY opportunities to create an epic tragic-romantic scene that would end everything, Panem and the Katniss-Gale-Peeta love triangle. We all wanted it, we all waited for it, but we never got it.

I admit I am being a little over-the-top harsh with this review, it takes a lot, and I mean A LOT to impress me with a book. But I thought after everything the last two books were, this one would at least live up to the same expectations. It was a good book, not great and not exactly worth being the conclusion to one of the best trilogy's I have ever read and loved, but it was adequate enough to get part of the job done. At least in the end Katniss does end up with (WARNING: If you haven't read it and you intend to, stop reading here! Spoiler alert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Peeta. <3

Islamic Center at "Ground Zero"

Many of you have probably heard about the dispute in New York City about this Mosque that is in the process of being built 2 blocks from Ground Zero. I AM SO SICK OF IGNORANT PEOPLE! Oh my god, this situation has gotten way out of hand. I was watching an interview on TV yesterday between the head of the Islamic Society of Long Island and I can't remember who else, but the other guy was so disrespectful and ignorant it actually scared me. The leader of the Muslim society had this very eloquent speech on why the Center has every right to be built and the other guys response to it all was "Well... it's still disrespectful."

Now, how is it disrespectful for a group of people who have done nothing illegal and nothing wrong to have a place where people of the same faith can mingle and take cooking lessons or play some basketball after work. Jews and Christians have places like that.

We are all forgetting that muslims were killed in the world trade center on 9/11 too. And terrorist groups have killed more Muslim civilians here and around the world than they have Americans. We cannot group all muslims into the same violent-killing demographic. The percentage of muslims in this country that actually harbor violent ambitions are probably less than 5%, but if we continue to treat them like dogs and take away their rights that every other american has that percent will surely grow. Hatred only breeds more hatred.

I had an idea this morning of a T-Shirt slogan to support the Islamic Center. A picture of a muffin and the words "Muffins of Mass Destruction". I want to try to get a support movement for the Center going, and I think this would be a fun way to do it.