Just Be Yourself

I know who I am, at least, I'm pretty sure of it. I just wish more people would figure out who I am already.

Many people see me as a quiet goody two shoes who will gladly sit at home every weekend night with a book or movie. They think I'm sweet and angelic and wouldn't dare go to a drinking party, especially one filled with strangers.

However, I also could not be the opposite of that. I couldn't go over to to a party every night of the week and get hellas crunk on a regular basis. I wouldn't keep alcohol in my refrigerator or bring puking guys into my room.

I am in between. I do like to have quiet nights alone with a book or movie, but not every night. I'd gladly go to parties, even if I had to be the designated driver. Some one just needs to ask me, or let me know where parties are.

Unfortunately, people have difficulty seeing my bad side. Maybe its because I'm shy. I don't act like a person who would get drunk on occasion. Generally I hold myself to high standards. I generally try to dress well and I'm polite and alert. Does my common sense and self respect prevent me from having college fun?

Sometimes I wish I could hide behind a mask, that I could be a raving party girl (after I've gotten my homework done) and show people I know how to have a good time. But masks have never really fit me well.

On Being a Senior, a piece in Two Parts

Part One: An Open Letter

To my dearest underclassmen, and Juniors:

First of all I wish to make it known that you are not invisible. I see you every day wandering around, many of you still look like deer in headlights. Most of you seem like smart, intelligent girls who know how to make yourselves happy, something that’s very tricky in these parts

But that’s just it, I see you.

I see you listening to your iPhone or laptop during study, through headphones. Last time I checked that was a Senior privilege. If I’m mistaken please, let me know. Now, I’m not mad when you are actually working on a project, but I don’t think connecting headphones to your iPhone while flipping through your Spanish II workbook is absolutely necessary. Again, correct me if I’m wrong.

I see you wearing your grey Columbia. Again, I didn’t think you could, but I am just human. Maybe a club got special permission for everyone to wear a Columbia every day.

I see you sitting around the electric plugs. Forget to charge your computer last night? Oh, don’t worry, your allowed to sit in those spots, but let me tell you a little secret. We need them more. You see, our laptops and our batteries are far older than yours. This means a lot in technology time. Several Seniors have to plug in their laptops to get them to work at all. There are a select few who’s laptops do hold a charge for twenty minutes before dying. So, don’t worry, feel free to take those places by the plugs. It’s not like we need them.

Well, that’s all the wisdom I have to store upon you today my dear children.

Remember Jesus loves you.

I’m not so sure.

Signed,

Anonymous Uncaring Seniors

Part II: Prescription Write Ups

Patient needs 200cc’s of motivation straight to her veins, stat. The IV will drip continuously until patient has put on her white cap and gown.

Patient needs 30mg of ‘interest in’ my school work. The generic ‘Concern for’ will do if necessary. The patient should be forced to swallow one or more daily unless she does at least some homework without prompting.

Patient needs an over the counter plan to deal with a general sense of apathy that concerns graduation. Patient should be able to self medicate how much she does or does not care about Graduation. Should lower dosage as graduation draws closer.

Patient needs a daily dose of fun until this depressive thing called school is done with. Make sure teachers are aware that interesting may not equal the same as fun and realize that the condition is not their fault.

Patient needs a prescription for Senioritis.

Animation and the Oscars

So I didn't actually watch the Oscars Sunday night, though I did look up the winners. But this post started itching my brain before that.

Friday in homeroom a couple of people, myself included, were talking about some of the films nominated for best picture and how I was disappointed in myself for not seeing as many nominated movies as last year. Last year I had seen several serious 'films' not just movies. Last year I was a movie snob.

Then we got to talking about Avatar, because really who isn't talking about Avatar these days? And one girl mentions she sees Avatar more as an animated film. I understand her argument and quite honestly somewhat agree with her. Avatar is an animated film in the same way Mary Poppins and Who Framed Roger Rabbit are. Interpret that how you will.

She goes on to say how she doesn't think Avatar should be nominated for best picture. Again, I see the validity of her statement. Avatar's plot was completely unoriginal, though it never pretended to be, and if we're going for best picture of the entire year plot is certainly a factor. Did Avatar's special effects, detailed creation of an entire planet and culture, and monetary success outweigh the lack of original plot? Again, there are plenty of opinions on that subject too.

I guess I'll state, for the curious, that I don't personally consider Avatar, Mary Poppins, or Roger Rabbit fully animated features. I will say where the line is drawn between real life and animation can be drawn, pardon the word, by someone else, because I don't care. I also think that while Avatar wasn't the the best thing ever, I feel its special effects and attention to detail deserve the utmost recognition, and the special effects were honored.

Anyway back to the ranting girl.

She then goes on to say she doesn't understand why Up was nominated either. And that got me, because you see, that film snob I mentioned earlier fell in love with Up. Not only was it a fun cartoon it was also an excellent film. Those first ten or so minutes are some of the most poignant and honest moments I have ever seen in my life. (I, of course, refer to Carl and Ellie's life montage.) If two characters hardly speak in that ten minute span and yet you can be moved to tears when one of them dies, or even before that when you find out they are unable to have children, that is truly great story telling/film making.

Back on track...

The girl then says she doesn't think animated films should be in that category. No justification, no solid reasoning, they just should 'count.' I'm very angry, so I will try to remain civil here. Why does it matter if something is animated or live action. Can't a true piece of art be a cartoon? What about Batman: The Animated Series? One of the highest quality television series out there, and it says animated in the title. Some may argue that it failed in Prime Time, but that is due to the animation age ghetto (adults don't watch cartoons because clearly they are all for kids, end sarcasm.)

I don't think this kind of snobbery is animation age ghetto. I don't think age has anything to do with cartoons being for children. I think that this is just, people think Cartoons aren't good enough to compete.

That's the part that confuses me the most. Why do people feel that animation, puppetry, or other stop motion animation lessens a film?

I believe that some people feel the actors don't have to work as hard. Which I don't personally understand. You have to have the right vocal cues to match the situation, with no one to work off of, usually (actually depends on the company). It has to flow cohesively and making sure your dialogue does that is not always the easiest. On top of that, everything about that character has to flow from your voice, nothing else. To me this seems harder than having your whole body to work with.

And if it is the Animation Age Ghetto, so what? Just because it's a children's movie doesn't mean it is inherently a poorer quality film. There are good children's movies (Toy Story, Beauty and the Beast) and there are bad children's movies (The Barney Movie, Quest for Camelot). But the same goes for movies for 'adults' too.

But I don't honestly know why people feel this way. If you know or have a better idea, feel free to tell me.

Plot Bunnies hurt....

Wow, as I sit here about to update my blog I notice my laptop's clock (which is usually no more than 5 minutes off) is a whole freaking 9-10 minutes off. I really hate my 3 year old, over used, slow, virus ridden laptop.... (Which I need so desperately I can't turn in to get fixed.)

As you can see last night a plot bunny, which I had encountered before and had only nipped lightly at my heels, FREAKING TRIED TO KILL ME! Seriously I couldn't sleep until I had been writing for like an hour. Here's how it tried to kill me. Because it attacked so late in the night my usual sleeping pattern was thrown off. Today in fourth period I nearly fell asleep, IN MY FAVORITE CLASS OF THE DAY! Really I could have understood any other class, heck even my study RIGHT BEFORE, but not that class. Then I took a nap for like an hour when I finally got home (had to work on Christmas drive stuff...).

What annoys me about the bunny though is I've been trying SO hard to write an original story, and I've really been putting effort into it. However this plot bunny was for a Seto/Anzu Fanfic... ARGH! I don't mind fanfic, I just realized I'll get published with an original piece, not a fanfic. Oh well, at least I'm writing, and I think I'm writing damn well too.

I recently finished up a big paper which is such a stress relief. Now I have to make a 3-5 minute presentation (Preferably a powerpoint I think...). We are supposed to talk about why we chose a neighborhood and why we took the angle we did, why we think it's cool, ect. Problem: I wrote about how crappy the neighboor hood was... Or more specifically I wrote about how shitty a planned community there is. So I don't know how I'll do the presentation, but it'll be interesting.

I'll write about my birthday later, but Heroes is almost on. :)