Star Wars - I has it.

I have been totally negligent...my blog and my 100/10 goals... To the point where I have forgotten to post about one! I know - totally my fault. I'm busting out the ashes and the sackcloth now.

So...moving on. This past fall, I, and several lovely other friends, were hosted by the newlywed Kincaids in their apartment for a super fun party. But not just any party, oh no. It was a Star Wars party. All six movies, one day. Start time - 9:30am. End time - 11:30pm. We. Were. (Storm) Troopers.

It was a great day including lots of good food, blue drinks, and a ton of random Star Wars quotes. We watched the movies in chronological order per the story, not the release date. Thus, the first three were the newest ones that, I'm sorry, just aren't good! I'd seen them before and was prepared to give them another chance, but they're just awful. By the time we finished those, I was wondering how the heck I would ever get through three more.

However, the three original movies continue to be ridiculously good. The time flew by and all too soon we were done. All of us agreed that we could watch A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, and The Return of the Jedi over and over - but maybe not again until next year...

(Now for some phone pics)


Done and done - 79) Watch all six Star Wars movies in a row

It's time for some Musical Theater

I heart musical theater. I've seen Phantom like 14-some odd times at theatres around the world. I love the big, grand productions, but also the small, intelligent shows found off, off, off, off Broadway. And by that, I mean they're not even in NYC...ha.

So after a couple of years in Chicago missing the feeling of being involved in theatre, I decided to make the move and become a part of a smaller theatre here. I did some research, talked to some peeps, and finally settled on Porchlight Music Theatre. I e-mailed them with some interest and got a reply to meet with some board members and then attend a board meeting.

Long story very short - last month I became a board member of PMT. And I have to say, it's been fantastic. I mean, if I get up on a Saturday at 7am to make it to the northside at 9am for a committee meeting, that says love. I have our fall benefit on Monday, an opening next Sunday, and lots more to look forward to in the spring. We're doing Into the Woods. What's not to love?

I look forward to sharing my experience there. And hopefully, when you're in Chitown, you can come with me. Theater needs all kinds of support.

Oh yes, one more completed: 27) Sit on the board of a theater

Princess Power

So I'll cop to the fact that when I was but a wee girl I liked the Disney princess movies. I watched the Sleeping Beauty, the Cinderella, the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. My hands-down favorite "princess" was Belle, though, from Beauty and the Beast. She's wicked smart, a brunette, loves to read, doesn't give in to social pressure, has a good relationship with her Dad, and let's be honest, truly saves the day.

However, I'm slightly terrified of the turn the "Disney Princesses" have taken in the past several years. Disney has grouped them altogether in a pastel pink world where little girls can wile away their days with fancy dresses and dreams of a Prince Charming. Barf. And what about the non-princess heroines like Pocahontas, Mulan, or Esmerelda? Are we stashing them away so Disney can subtly indoctrine young girls with a belief in the class system?

I mean, seriously.

However, recently I stumbled across some artwork that warms my heart that is two sizes too small. While spending sometime on Total Film, I read an article about "6 Dark Remakes Starring Disney Princesses." My hope upon hope that Rob Zombie had somehow gotten the rights to The Little Mermaid turned out to be false, but I was introduced to some amazing artwork that meshes my past-love of Disney and my current love of horror films. All thanks to DeviantArt and DeviantArt regular Jeffrey Thomas. And again, my favorite is Belle - now a more feral version with a badder beast (awesome).

A close second? Sleeping Beauty - now as a vampire (brilliant).

You can see TotalFilm's article here and the rest of the princesses here. Enjoy!

2009 Europe Trip - Krakow

These past couple weeks I have been on a...wait for it...vacation! I know, me, right? Two full weeks off that didn't involve moving, changing jobs, or a family event. I'm a little closer to being a saint, because surely that is a miracle. The trip consisted of a few different cities, with the main shindig taking place in and around Kartuzy, Poland - the marriage of a close college friend!

On today's agenda - Krakow. What can I say? I friggin' love this city! I had no expectations when it came to traveling to Poland - I am very interested in the history of the country thanks to my Polish and Lithuanian Commonwealth class in college and the stories of Leon Uris. But modern Poland? I knew very little. Thankfully, the city and I got on like a house on fire.

I stayed in a hotel near the old town which is more of a tourist part of the city, but also provides easy access to all the main sights - perfect! First on the agenda was a trek to Wawel Castle - where the country's rulers used to be located for five centuries. Wawel Hill contains the castle, the cathedral and the surrounding land. The cathedral is amazing and beautiful, especially the tomb of Queen Jadwiga. After flying from Chicago to Paris to Krakow, however, Wawel Castle was the only thing I could handle the first night!

The next couple of days consisted of a trip to Auschwitz (more details on that later), a golf cart tour of Krakow, visits to the cloth hall and the main square, yummy Polish food, walking around the city, and taking lots of pictures.

However, my hands-down favorite part of the city was Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter. I find the history of the area fascinating and took plenty of time to explore the area including several synagogues, both active and not. My favorite experience, however, was at the Stara Synagoga (Old Synagogue). Heavily damaged by the Nazis during World War II, the synagogue was rebuilt and is now a museum and conservation center. I attended an exhibit there called "And I Still See Their Faces," which consisted of images and photographs of Jews pre- and post-war. What was amazing was the where the photos came from - family members that had emigrated, photos found in clothing taken at concentration camps, photos and glass prints found hidden in Jewish homes, etc. The experience was somewhat emotional - especially after witnessing images of entire families that had been wiped out in a concentration camp.

But this history buff still managed to enjoy the present as well - watching the fire dancers in the square, shopping for fun souvenirs, eating gelato, trips to several beautiful churches, and basking in the sun while people watching.

Unfortunately, I only got three days there - I could have stayed much longer!! However, I definitely have totes good memories from this incredibly beautiful city.

Dancin' Machine

I've been known to break it down. From Ida Noyes to Myrtle Beach to Heartland to the Ministry of Sound to the Egyptian room, I've had my moments where I shook what my mama gave me. But as of this past Saturday, I have officially been schooled.

Two nights ago my friend SP and I attend the launch party of "30 Seconds to Dance" at my favorite place in Chicago - the Alliance Francaise. Co-commenced by a former Paris Opera dancer (now a principal at Joffrey), this amazing project features the ridiculously talented dancers of Chicago. All styles are showcased, and SP and I got to witness the mad skillz for ourselves as the launch featured live performances of some of the dancers seen in the videos.

The goal of this website is to promote both the art of dance and the dancers themselves. I think this is a great addition to the rich cultural sector of which Chicago can boast. I know I'll be checking in often to see what new clips are posted. I can always use some new moves...

Miss Pole Dance World 2009

I don't have any really strong feelings one way or another about strip clubs, pole dancing, etc. But, I did stumble across the routine of Miss Pole Dance World 2009, and what she does is ridiculous. If I tried to do the same thing, I'd probably need multiple realignments afterwards. Even if pole dancing isn't your cup of tea, this video is amazing. Make sure and watch what she does at the 2 minute mark.

Mon film favorite

Best. film. ever.

Seriously, if you haven't seen The Day of the Jackal, you haven't lived. This has been mon film favorite for years after being introduced to it by my Dad. With a great story line covering the attempted assassination of de Gaulle, an unlikely detective/hero, the French countryside, and a stone cold (Edward) Fox, this movie is nothing short of brilliant. And while I enjoy the Jason Bournes of the world, I relish this film for the sparse calculated violence, longer screenshots, and main characters that aren't all cookie-cutter good looking.

Why is this coming up now, you say? Well, because I just discovered that IMDB has posted the trailer for it! How cool is that? I love seeing these old trailers. I think you all should watch it here. Augh, they just don't make 'em like they use to.

Another reason to see the movie? Well, let's just say it involves a "cha" and a "cal."

Play me a Melody

I'm am obsessed with a new singer that I just discovered on Friday. Roaming around Borders, I was looking for some good new music and saw a cd poster for a singer, Melody Gardot. I loved the cover art, and went to look up where to find the cd. Lo and behold, it was in the jazz section. This resulted in a momentary pause on my part. While I appreciate jazz, it is not usually my chosen genre of music. I'm more likely to be found in the hard/goth rock section...or classical...or international. Yet, I continued to be intrigued and bought the cd sight unheard.

And boy, I am thrilled that I did! While she's a little more Norah Jones than straight jazz, her vocals are gorgeous and the music behind her top rate. I always like to know about the musicians and googled her upon returning home, and I now appreciate her fabulous cd even more. And here's why.

Almost six years ago, at the age of 19, Melody was struck by a car while riding her bike and suffered a fractured pelvis, spine damage, and some trauma to her brain. Essentially a vegetable, physically unable but mentally sound, she began the long road to a partial recovery. She suffered from aphasia, an inability to form words, and until two years ago could only speak with difficulty - the barrier from brain to mouth had been broken. Her doctors recommended music therapy. She had played in piano bars before to help pay for college, and they believed it could help break down the barriers. The rest, as they say, is history.

However, even now she is still burdened with a misaligned pelvis, uses a cane to walk, and continues to suffer neuralgic pain. She also has a autonomic nervous system disfunction which makes her super sensitive to noise and sound and is also the reason for the dark glasses she is seen wearing in all of her pictures. Yet, she credits music for helping her to continue to deal with these difficulties.

Amazing story, right? Never should anyone doubt the power of music, and not just from an audience perpsective - a laissez-faire approach to music - but also as having an active role in the improvement in the quality of life. I think this story is a perfect example of that.

I bought her second album, My One and Only Thrill, and it's so good!! You can hear a song from this album here.