Lightning

The rain again upsetting my plans for exploring Boston - think torrential downpours not light showers. While I am not one to shy away from rain if I need to accomplish something - a day in does not sound too terrible. At least its not thundering and lightning outside. I have always been petrified of lightning. That being said I will readily admit that it produces some of the most spectacular light shows, as is proof in this post on the Boston Globe's blog "The Big Picture." Check it out:

Lightning - The Big Picture - Boston.com

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Annabel Lee

This is one of my favorite poems that I just stumbled upon and fell in love with again...

Annabel Lee
by Edgar Allan Poe

It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of ANNABEL LEE;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea;
But we loved with a love that was more than love-
I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
Coveted her and me.

And this was the reason that, long ago,
In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsman came
And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulchre
In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
Went envying her and me-
Yes!- that was the reason (as all men know,
In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we-
Of many far wiser than we-
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.

For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling- my darling- my life and my bride,
In the sepulchre there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea.

Lars and the Real Girl

About a year ago I caught a BBC documentary called "Love Me, Love My Doll." The documentary concerned men who owned and have fallen in love with their full size dolls called "real dolls." These dolls are anatomically correct, life-size, and built according to the specifications of the customer. Needless to say I was a little more than disturbed at watching the documentary, but fascinated as well.

So when I heard about the plot of Lars and the Real Girl I was a bit apprehensive. People have been telling me for the past year to go and rent this movie - and I am glad that I decided to pick it up. The movie focuses on Lars (Ryan Gosling) a socially awkward man who purchases a "real doll" that he believes is a real woman named Bianca. The local doctor recognizes this as a delusion and urges Lars's family to accept Bianca as a real person in order to determine why Lars has created her as such. Eventually not only Lars's family, but the town comes to treat Bianca as a real person.

The movie was fun in a quirky sort of way. The treatment of delusions was something I found to be most interesting. This story would not have been half as interesting had the town not chosen to embrace Lars' delusion as a way to help him through it. The best scene by far was Emily Mortimer's, when she scolds Lars for saying that no one cares about him - as the entire town has bent over backwards to accept Bianca because they care about him. The movie was definitely enjoyable and refreshingly different. The quality acting just added to the movie - so glad I decided to pick this one up!

The Time Traveler's Wife

So I finished The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and am absolutely thrilled that I did. I was hesitant at first by the length of the book, but was soon swept away by the whole love story. The book alternates perspectives between both of the novels main characters - Henry and Claire. While the changes in perspectives as well as jumps in time might have hindered other less well written books, it was surprisingly easy to read.

The premise of the story - a love story that is hindered by one character's inability to predict where in time they will be - was something that appealed to me as its not the same recycled love story plot. Niffenegger's use of different perspectives not only added to the story, but also helped to add more to the character's themselves. In addition to the obviously sad elements of the novel there was also a healthy amount of humor infused in the character's thoughts about their situation. While this could have easily been another sappy romance novel in Niffenegger's hands it becomes an epic love story between two people who find themselves falling in love with less than ideal circumstances.

I am looking forward to the movie even more and am hoping it does the book justice...

Alice in Wonderland

So the teaser trailer for Tim Burton's much anticipated Alice in Wonderland is up. The first pictures of the movie were enough to cause quite a stir and I am sure that the teaser will do the same. Hopefully the movie will live up to the hype that has surrounded it.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

The wait is finally over - I got to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince last night. The movie was everything I had hoped for and more after all that anticipation!

The movie picks up exactly where the last one did. Its the sixth year at Hogwarts for Harry and his friends, but the world for them has changed significantly as Voldemort's army of Death Eaters continues to rampage the wizarding world as they try to gain control again.

The movie (like the book) continues to get darker and more complex as Harry Potter grows older. What caught me a little off guard was the humor that was present in this film - while the darkest so far of the films, it was also the funniest. It helped to offset the somber mood of the film. As the kids at Hogwarts grow older so do their emotions. While also fighting off the bad guys, the kids (or teens I should say) were also dealing with relationships. It seems like only yesterday they were celebrating turning 11! This led to some of the funniest scenes. I'm not quite sure why it was rated PG instead of PG-13 (other than to get more viewers) as there were some parts that even made me scream (particularly the lake scene!).

The movie was incredible - slightly depressing - but absolutely incredible. Plot-wise and visually this movie was fantastic to see. One of my favorites in the series so far!

Dr. Seuss

Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one
alive who is youer than you.

- Dr. Seuss

(image generated by Wordle - www.wordle.net)

Library Heartache

Bates Room

(Photo taken from Boston Globe website - www.boston.com)

So today I found myself wandering amongst the stacks at the Boston Public Library for the millionth time and found myself getting quite teary eyed as I realized that a month from now I will no longer be able to do so. Libraries have always been kind of like a second home to me. When I was little I used to wish that I would get stuck in the library overnight (think From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler just replace the museum with a library). As I grew older I actually volunteered at my local small town library - it was small but there was something that was very comforting about it.

When I went to college one of the first things I did was go to the Boston Public Library and get a card. I'm sorry to say the card has been quite under-utilized in the last few years. Studying, partying, etc. took up most of my reading for pleasure time. As the years ticked away during my undergrad experience I begin to use the library more and more. And here is where the love affair begin...

The Boston Public Library houses 6.1 million books (per the library's website) as well as housing rarer books, manuscripts, maps, etc. The overall structure of the library is quite impressive - I feel that in the short time I've been through the library there are still many places that I have not thoroughly visited. There are lecture halls, exhibits, a restaurant, an open courtyard in the middle of the library (one of my favorite spots), and absolutely tons of areas to rest, read, or study. There is something comforting in walking through the rows and rows of books and knowing all that knowledge is there for the taking. I will miss being able to access such a wealth of resources in moving to another city and feel that my fondness for the Boston Public Library is not likely to change in the next few years. I just hope that during the next five years of my education I take advantage of all the city has to offer - including its library.

As for now - with about one month left to go - I am determined to spend as much time exploring the city as possible, and this includes the library.

Gracefully Insane

So despite not finishing most of my goals for last week I was able to finish one of the books on the pile: Gracefully Insane: Life and Death Inside America's Premier Mental Hospital by Alex Beam.

The book focuses on McLean Hospital a mental institution in Belmont, MA. The hospital is well known for its history of psychiatric care as well as its list of rather famous patients. Beam takes a look at McLean's history - from its first conception to the lavish lifestyle that the hospital afforded its patients during their stay. At first seen as a rich individuals retreat, the hospital itself went through some radical changes as society and medicine changed. In addition to detailing for the reader how psychiatry and the hospital has changed over the years, Beam also provided some insight into the lives of the patients themselves. Beam - a Boston Globe writer - talked not only about some of the famous patients that earned their McLean "degree," but those whose stories would not have been known save for the few pages in this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this particular book. While at times the book was a bit slow, the overall clip of the book was entertaining. While its a monstrous task to include the entire history of McLean Hospital within one book I feel like Beam did a superb job. The book did not stay on any one particular topic too long - rather it touched upon certain key advancements (either good or bad) that took place during the hospitals history. I particularly enjoyed reading about the hospital when it was first built and was treated rather as a retreat for the rich rather than a psychiatric facility. Those interested in the history of psychology should definitely check this book out.

Nights in Rodanthe

I am almost hesitant writing about the movie Nights in Rodanthe...

The movie concerns two people who spend the weekend at a bed and breakfast in Rodanthe, North Carolina (hence the title) and fall in love. The movie brings together again Richard Gere (as Paul) and Diane Lane (as Adrienne). Both Paul and Adrienne find themselves drawn to each other during this weekend as they deal with their own respective personal crises. Paul is a well known doctor who is being sued from the husband of a former patient who died during an operation. In addition he is trying to mend his strained relationship with his son who he hasn't seen for quite some time. Adrienne in turn is struggling with whether to allow her husband to come back after he cheated on her. The movie is based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks.

I can honestly say I went into this movie with such hope - Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors. The man can write a good love story, but so far all the movie adaptations of his books have not been able to really captivate me quite as much. (side note: though I do admit to owning The Notebook on DVD I still prefer the book) That being said as its been years since I picked up this book and I distinctly remember not finishing it I went into this movie with no ability to compare it to the novel. To be honest this movie was boring. The lines felt too cheesy, the acting too stiff. There was not magic and no real reason to invest emotionally in any of the characters. The plot felt tired and too predictable. I wanted badly to enjoy this film but found my attention wandering elsewhere. This is one movie I would say to skip.

Push

Another Redbox choice: Push

The movie is focused on a group of individuals who are gifted with psychic abilities. These individuals are constantly hunted by a government agency known as the Division. The Division hopes to use a drug to enhance these psychic gifts and use them as weapons. The only problem with the drug...it kills the people who are injected with it. That is until it is injected into Kira (Camilla Bell) - a Pusher or individual who can insert or push certain thoughts or memories into others - who then promptly escapes from Division. The story heavily focuses on Kira's former lover Nick Gant (Chris Evans) - a Mover or individual who has the ability to move objects- who is trying to protect Kira, as well as try to bring down Division with the help of Cassie Holmes (Dakota Fanning) - a Watcher or individual who has the ability to see visions of the future.

I had been skeptical at first of seeing this movie when it had originally been in theatres, but figured that I had nothing to lose for $1 out of the Redbox. I really enjoyed the film. The entire story took place in Hong Kong, which I felt added to the feel of the film. The story wasn't too complicated and I found myself wishing there was more when the film ended, as the ending felt somewhat incomplete (i.e. the inevitable open ending for a possible sequel). The acting was a bit choppy - Dakota Fanning in particular. Overall I felt my $1 was well spent for almost 2 hours of quality entertainment.

Public Enemies

I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars ... and you. What else you need to know? - Public Enemies

Public Enemies is a movie that showcases the FBI's attempts to capture notorious criminals during the Great Depression era. Specifically the movie looks at John Dillinger (played by Johnny Depp) and the criminals he comes in contact with while trying to evade FBI agent Melvin Purvis (played by Christian Bale).

This movie was just what I needed - a little escapism in a somewhat difficult day. The movie was shot so as almost to appear as though it were footage from the 1930's. The camera was shaky (think a little like the Blair Witch Project), but not so much that it distracted from the film. There were a few points where the filming felt a bit overly dramatic, but not many.

The acting was superb, particularly on the part of Depp who played Dillinger. While I've read a few reviews that faulted the film for not providing insight into why Dillinger was the way he was. When watching the film I was under the impression that this background information was not important. As stated in the film when Depp, playing Dillinger, summarizes his life story in about two sentences.

Needless to say I recommend this movie. Its worth it for Depp alone (acting and looks...), but if you were hoping to see a movie offering more insight into the life of John Dillinger than I suggest looking elsewhere.

T.E. Lawrence Quote

"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”

- T.E. Lawrence

Flirty Girl Fitness

So as I prepare for my big move to Chicago I have also been trying to research the city and surrounding area for things to do. Part of the research has involved looking for a new gym, which lead me to the website of Flirty Girl Fitness.

Flirty Girl Fitness is a gym for the woman who doesn't like traditional gyms. Offering classes like pole dancing, G.I. Jane, and Coyote Ugly - this gym quickly strips away the memories of traditional aerobic and step classes. In addition to offering a ton of classes Flirty Girl Fitness also offers a nail spa, juice bar, and a licensed bar.

A gym where I can take strip classes, get my nails done, and drink at the same time - where do I sign up?! While prices are a bit high for my grad student budget ($110/month for a regular membership) I could totally see myself doing a drop-in class or picking up the studio's workout DVDs.

Check it out at: http://www.flirtygirlfitness.com/

Be There Between 12 and 6

Here are a few goals I have for the upcoming week:

• Figure out what classes to register for my first semester of graduate school!


• Finish my thank you notes


• Finish at least one book that currently resides in the ever increasing stack next to my bed


• Exercise at least 2-3 times this week


• Try to regain a somewhat more normal sleep schedule


• Go to physical therapy


• Try to eat healthier this week aka no "Chips for dinner" nights


• Try one new restaurant


• See a matinee movie (probably Public Enemies)

Normally I don't make such specific goals for the week, but I am feeling particularly frustrated at being stuck at home as I wait for an "appointment" with the gas maintenance worker (hence the title of this post)

Have You Ever Gone A Little Psycho Over A Guy?

I was reading this blog post on Glamour magazine's "Single-ish" blog and it made me laugh: "Have You Ever Gone A Little Psycho Over A Guy?" The blog basically describes a situation where the writer got a bit obsessed following a break-up and invites readers to share similar stories. I can honestly say I read every single comment that was made to this posting. Some made me laugh, some made me reminisce, and some were too eerily like my own past experiences that I quickly skimmed down.

Needless to say I feel that most reader's were familiar with the drunken text/call and/or possible facebook stalking -- what got me was how similar these comments were. Several of the comments expressed great relief that they were not alone. That while they admit they went overboard they were happy to realize that Grey Goose, a broken heart, and a fully charged cell phone are often times a bad combination.

Well here's to hoping that everyone had a great holiday weekend and turned off their cell phones if need be. And here's a link to the original article:

Have You Ever Gone A Little Psycho Over A Guy?: glamour.com

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