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Thursday, December 11, 2008

Follow-up

Loved Slumdog Millionaire you guys. And it was indeed the most perfect follow-up to Shantaram.


I love Danny Boyle's films. I think there are some directors and some films that just speak my language, and Danny Boyle is one of those directors. This story, told by most other people, would have been trite or lame. In Boyle's hands it was beautiful, unique, and visually stunning. It's one of those movies that left me smiling for hours afterward, and supports my faith in believing in the good of mankind, even though so much crap goes on in the world, because Boyle does not spare us of the bad in Mumbai. He walks us right through it. Over and over again. And we still see goodness and love despite it all.

P.S. This film is rated R, but I'm a little upset about it because I don't think it should have been. Usually I couldn't care less about ratings, but this rating means that most people in my family, and many Mormons won't see it. Which is a shame, because I think anyone in my family would really enjoy this film. There is no swearing, sex, or graphic violence. There is some violence, but it's more like you know it's happening, you don't really see it. It's not graphic. What. a. shame.

P.P.S. I think I'm in love with that boy in the movie. And the actor was excellent. I loved watching every second of his performance. So honest.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Oh Danny Boyle

My roommate just showed me this trailer last night. How was this not on my radar until now?! My film bat-sense has failed me. It is in theaters, and I will be seeing it Thursday night. I can't wait. Sometimes I watch trailers and I KNOW I will love the film. It is perfect timing too, I just finished Shantaram which explores the slums of Mumbai, among other things, so this is a fitting movie to follow that great piece of literature (go buy it, you will love it.)

P.S. a film adaptation of Shantaram=very bad idea. Johnny Depp, why are you doing this? And Mira Nair to direct? No thank you.

P.P.S. A good Christmas present for Laura? One of those movie ticket books where the tickets end up costing $7 instead of $12.50. Because I love going to the movies, and I will pay the outrageous price unless somebody stops me.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Spa Day


On Monday, I am getting my first massage ever, at the Caudalie Spa, in the Plaza Hotel, for free. That sentence just kept getting better and better.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

I know that this territory has kind of already been covered, but I can't wait.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

I went to Tryon Park today










Thursday, October 23, 2008

Pioneers of Gentrification





I am loving living in Manhattan. Living in New York is a way of life, one that's not for everyone. But I've been drinking it in. I feel like my brain just opened up to possibilities when I moved here. I'm reading more, learning more, going out more, exploring more. I feel like life has a stronger hold on you here. That can be exciting and that can be exhausting.  There are so many opportunities. I've seen a couple plays, a few great films, been to a benefit, and a lecture by one of my favorite photographers (Rodney Smith, work featured above). I also live with a couple of great girls whom I love, and who know how to have adventures.

I am really looking forward to all of the fun and experience I'm going to get here.

I love Central Park. I love farmer's markets.

Life is good. Even when you believe pee is dripping out of your roommate's ceiling. (It was actually really dirty water, but given a couple of other experiences in our apartment, we really thought it was the former.) Being a pioneer has its challenges.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

my plans tonight

Monday, October 06, 2008

good news: I love my apartment.


bad news: I see rats on a regular basis.

good news: we have one of those things to plug in the wall to keep rats out of our apartment. magical.

bad news: lots of cockroaches in the open apartment next door.

good news: that wall thing also keeps away cockroaches. I've not yet seen one in our place... knock on wood...

bad news: it takes me 45 minutes to get to work.

good news: Soho is, of course, charming, and the shopping is amazing.

bad news: I cannot afford to buy anything in Soho.

good news: my first day of work I accidentally got in the way of Sandra Bullock as she was trying to leave my store.

bad news: I still get very starstruck and I'm sure she thought I was staring at her just to stare at celebrity. I really was just surprised.

good news: people in my store are generally friendly.

bad news: skincare in my store is unbelievably boring because no one wants my help ever. They all KNOW what they want, or are JUST LOOKING PLEASE DON'T SAY HELLO TO ME IN THAT FRIENDLY MANNER.

good news: great roommates.

bad news: I waited for an hour for my train to come last night.

good news: I'm going to see Dave Eggers tomorrow night.

bad news: there is so much to spend your money on in this city that does not even include the shopping or the eating.

good news: one of the brand reps in my store is insanely gorgeous. He is a man, which is why I care.

bad news: he wanted somebody else's number.

good news: great rooftop.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

best part of the Emmys

I love Ricky and Steve.

Friday, September 12, 2008

snack time

That's right, folks, I am flying the coop. Finally. Heading out. On my own. And the big winner: The Big Apple! About a week ago I finally got the official affirmative on my transfer to the Soho Sephora, the first American store. I am in the middle of applying for a gorgeous apartment in Washington Heights, found by my incredible future roommates, Sara and Sarah. And no, I did not do any of the apartment hunting-- I am so so so lucky. Plenty of craigslist browsing, but no actual leg work or any real contribution at all. But look!
Trees! Close by!

More trees!


Exposed brick!
Shiny!
Beautiful hardwood floors!
No, I do not know that lady.

I am THRILLED. And, frankly, cannot believe my luck. I am moving in two weeks. Things kind of just suddenly fell into place. I have zero pieces of furniture. No bed, nor a bedspread for that matter. But I don't care, because I will be living in the city, and it feels good. GREAT.

I am sad to leave behind some lovely lovely people that I met here. I wish I could bring just about everyone in my Sephora to the store in Soho. But I will be joining several friends in the Big Apple, and hopefully meeting many more. I am a little surprised to end up in NYC. My life plan hadn't included it quite so soon. But that's ok, I'll take it. It's a huge life change, a good one.

Wish me luck moving into my fourth floor walkup. And commuting from just about the top of the island to just about the bottom every day.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

This. makes. me. sick.


Subaru: R.I.P. 1997-2008

I loved this car. It makes me positively ill that my idiocy was the means of its demise. You know, not as ill as the accident itself makes me, and the possibility of harm to actual human persons, but ill nonetheless.

I have been driving this car since high school. I took my driving test in it. I listened to my first mix tape in it. I gave many a ride home in it. I sang a lot in it. This car saw a lot of change in me. My friend Katie (who died almost three years ago) rode in it. She scootered through the pouring rain once to pick up keys from my brother because I had locked my keys in this car while it was still running. I have in fact locked my keys in it a few times. I drove from coast to coast of this country in this car. I have spent the night in it because I couldn't afford a hotel room. I have packed my life and all my worldly possessions into it. I have survived a couple of truly scary moments in this car. This car has been my home when I had none. It was also how I got away. I escaped so many times in this car. Into the mountains, out west, to the lake, merely for a drive, to the movies, conversations with friends. The ability to go wherever I wanted when I wanted. It was my own space. Even when I shared it. I have been through so much. in. this. car. I loved it. Seeing what is pictured above just breaks my heart. I think it is, in fact, worse than what the picture looks like. I know, this is just a material possession, and it wasn't even mine, it was my parents', but it meant a lot to me. And I'm going to miss it a lot.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

I made my first really adult purchase today: an iPhone and 2 year contract with AT&T. And I was literally shaking a little bit as I hit accept on the charge authorization. I also now feel slightly nauseous. I hope that will fade as I get used to the idea of my very own phone bill every month. The family plan was nice, but it was just time.


I have a love for my mac and old school iPod that is slightly embarrassing considering they're material objects. So I think this phone will be worth it.

Friday, August 15, 2008

the best part of the finale

Wade, why have you not been in my life this season?

LOVE this dance.

I really think Katee and Joshua should have co-won. I think she's the most flawless, though don't get me wrong, Joshua is obviously amazing. But Katee is pretty much spot-on 100% of the time.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

you guys

This is where Sephora is putting me up for Encore. No offense to my sisters and their lovely apartment, but it's the swankiest place I've stayed at in NYC. It's a $350 a night hotel! Last year, I stayed in a semi-sketchy hostel room with 9 other girls and one bathroom per floor. That's all I'm saying.


P.S. why did no dances on SYTYCD really excite me tonight? No posting youtube videos here.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Watchmen

I know, all my blog is now is youtube videos. But this trailer is pretty awesome. I just hope it's not as boring as 300 was.

ridiculous

in the good way. Though I hate the costumes. And I think it highlighted Will, when I'd prefer it to be about them dancing TOGETHER. But maybe Will is just a little bit self-centered... I guess it would be hard not to be if you were such a good dancer in a competition. And maybe the choreographer just liked Will more.

favorite

despite stupid camera angles

delayed reaction

This was one of my favorites from last week. I think Joshua had an awesome week, and didn't get as much attention as he deserved. I loved his solo, and we also saw a new, more confident side of Joshua.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Business Trip!

Today, as I was working, the store director called me, and I thought: "Very unusual. I think this is going to be good news." She told me that they had selected me to be one of three castmembers to be sent to Skin Encore! That means extra training on skincare in New York City. I have been dying to go to an Encore since S.O.S., my original Sephora training. And yes,  I would prefer Color Encore, since that's my world at Sephora, but I also love skincare. And skin training is way better than no training! I was super ecstatic. The reason I'm not going to Color Encore is that there's quite a list going for people who want to go, and I'm one of the newest people in the store. But I'm thinking that they must really like me if they chose me to go to this Encore, even though Skin isn't my world. I've been working really hard, and I think it's paying off! I'm going next week. I could not be more excited.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Different.

I thought this showed off Will so well. Jessica I found a little halting, she wasn't nearly as fluid as Will. After their second dance, Mia said that Will looked so tired of carrying his partner, and it was so aaaaaaawkward. Will did not know how to react correctly.

p.s. Comfort and Thayne have to go.
p.p.s. I love Tyce.

Sexy Chelsie

I like Chelsie. I like Mark too, but this really showed off Chelsie more. And I like watching her face. She also smoothed over her dress catching on Mark's suspender really well.

Viennese Waltz

I know I seem a little Joshua-Katee-centric, but Katee was so beautiful in this piece!

Bollywood number!

This was the best one from last night, I loved it! Katee and Joshua are awesome. Every time I watch a pre-dance segment I get all doubtful of them, and then they totally rock the number. I hope the show keeps doing world-culture dances. I would love to see a Bollywood group number.

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Rock.

Our Sephora anniversary theme was Project Rockstar. This was my rocker look. And it was uber glittery.



Thursday, July 03, 2008

The only one that I thought deserved a blog post

With twice as many dances last night I thought there would be more I loved, but... no. Not that they were all awful, they certainly weren't. They just weren't extraordinary.

These two and Mark and Chelsie are my favorites. Officially.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

This is AWFUL quality, but it's the only clip up!

Anyway, I love Will. He might be my favorite. Despite the little haywire moments they had in this routine, Disco has never made it onto my blog because I hate it. Every time. But Will totally made it so much fun to watch. I think Jessica is very lucky to have him as a partner. So far, he has done no wrong.

Hot.

If you watch all the pre-dance getting to know you stuff I think it is pretty amazing the transformation these two went through. I mean, Katee is HOT, though she felt so awkward about it you didn't see an ounce of that. And Joshua looks so in control and comfortable up there. I was so so impressed with these two as dancers this week.

Favorite o' the week

Loooooved it. And Mark! I am quite liking him these days-- he may just be a dark horse for me. Chelsie did great too. And I am a huge fan of Tabitha and Napoleon. I am so glad they joined the show this year.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Still a nerd.

And I needed some Six Feet Under and Carnivale representation.

Because I am a nerd.

Thank you HBO.

I love good TV. I love the longevity it gives a story, and the development time it offers. I love really good TV. TV that is art. And that is HBO. I have watched a few HBO series now, and I have loved them like no other series. They are well written, directed, acted, produced. So much craft goes into them. The design is gorgeous, the research is thorough, the nuances gripping. They're each and every one surprising. The details are insane. Everything is daring and risky. They go where no one else goes. I really can't praise them enough. It would be a freaking DREAM to be in an HBO series. The following are shows that I love with all my heart. And I am not exaggerating. But don't get me wrong, I do not recommend them for the non-rated-R crowd. This is HBO after all.





The Sopranos and The Wire are on my list to watch some day. But those are major commitments. And I am excited for In Treatment to come out on DVD.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

and my other favorite

pretty beautiful.

another favorite

Honestly, I usually get bored during ballroom numbers, but I was thoroughly entertained by this one. Despite what the judges say, I loved it.

one of my three favorites from last night

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Mia as usual

I liked this dance too. I am usually a fan of Mia's choreography. And based on this week's dancing as well, I am liking this couple.

Favorite Hip Hop

This is from last week, and it is probably my favorite hip hop routine I've ever seen. The most moving one for sure. Loved it.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Back in my life

Finally, SYTYCD is really back.


Best number of the night: the hip hop routine with Katee and Joshua. Video coming as soon as it's up on youtube.

I also enjoyed Mia's number, of course. But that second hip hop just stole the show for me.

Monday, May 05, 2008

where do you go

I just downloaded Tegan and Sara's Live Session EP. After hearing them without all of their technological accompaniment I feel that I must see them in concert. The one in NY is sold out. Of course the one at Thanksgiving Point in  Utah is not. I knew I should have just stayed there.


And seriously, I feel that way sometimes. Usually when I talk to anyone who's there. Or look at their facebook updates. And see how many good times they're having, how their relationships are progressing and changing. How they're all in shows and working and playing. I thought I would get stuck there and be a loser for staying when I have no real reason to. But I feel far more of a loser here.

I have to limit my Tegan and Sara listening because they feel my pain a little too well sometimes.

Friday, April 18, 2008

A Good Day

Yesterday I worked from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm with a one hour break which I used to drive home and change my clothes. And today was the first day I've had off for almost two weeks. So maybe no matter what it was going to be a good day just because it was a break.


But it also included:
-sleeping in
-spending hours in the sun reading magazines
-gardening
-talking to two friends on the phone
-great Indian food
-a trip to Wegmans
-watermelon
-my Sephora paycheck

Today was sunny and so warm it was hot when you spent an hour in direct sunlight. Life is so much better in upstate new york when it is sunny and warm.

I love that I've been working so much lately. But yesterday it just got to a point that I needed a break. And I think a 14-hour workday is understandably a bit much when it's all in retail. But it also included some training from Julio, the first national makeup artist of Nars Cosmetics. And he came and trained us. I was a little floored. (Nars is a high-end cosmetics line that works a lot with fashion shows... Julio has made up some very famous models.)

I have more money in my bank account right now than I think I've ever had at one time. And of course relatively it's still not much, but it does feel nice. Fortunately and unfortunately I now have discounts at Sephora, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Anthropologie, and Urban Outfitters. So saving money and not spending it is a little more difficult. Because it's like everything's on sale.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Don't Tread On Me

By the way. I took advantage of the HBO in the hotel here on Sunday night and watched Part 4 of John Adams. I LOVED it. Oh that Paul Giamatti. (How does he pull off being unattractive but oddly attractive at the same time?) Well he's got some good acting skills regardless. And there's some really good writing. I watched it on Sunday and I still cannot stop thinking about it and how long it's going to be until I can see the rest of the miniseries. I can't wait!

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

It's always sunny

The city of brotherly love. It's treating me well.


On Sunday I took the shortest flight I've taken in a long time, which was fantastic. I am tired of long flights. It was also great that it was free for me. It was really great when we checked into the hotel to hear "Ms. Sorensen, the cost of your stay has been taken care of..." How glamorous! Our hotel is nice. Not niiiiice. But nice. And I can order room service for free, which I just feel great about. Sephora pays for $45 of food a day. Which is why I'm going to gain some weight this week. Wait for it.

I discovered that there is a Rodin museum here. And it SLAYS me that I am not seeing it. There isn't a subway station near it, so I gave up that dream pretty quickly. But Sunday would have been a perfect day for it and I was so sad. I may have attempted it if I hadn't been with someone else, but I didn't want to drag Jessica with me when she didn't know or care who Rodin was. The Rodin Museum in Paris is one of my favorite museums I've ever been to.

Instead of visiting Rodin's works of art we went into Old City, and it was really lovely. I've been to Philadelphia before, but Jessica hadn't, so we ran by the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. It was a gorgeous day. Only chilly in the shade. It felt absolutely glorious after leaving upstate New York which is still in the vices of Winter. On the train into the city I noticed all the trees budding and daffodils already blooming and I was so happy to be here.

The first thing we saw coming out of the train station? The Reading Terminal Market! I love it. Just my sort of place. It's an enclosed public market. Over 80 merchants offer fresh produce, meats, fish, groceries, flowers, baked goods, crafts, books, clothing, and specialty and ethnic foods. There was a divine organic food corner. We found a creperie and had a savory and then a sweet crepe. Tasty tasty tasty. My sweet one was nutella, strawberries, and banana on a wheat crepe. Deeeeelicious. What a great welcome to Philadelphia.

Jessica is one of those people who pretty much just goes along with everything. She never had an opinion on what to do, so we pretty much just meandered around, following my instincts, which felt great. (Though an opinion once in a while would be appreciated.) I hadn't brought my camera, because I didn't think I'd have much opportunity. And indeed, I'm pretty sure Jessica would have gotten tired of my constantly pausing to frame a picture just right. It's just as well. If I owned the film 2 Days in Paris, I would look up the quote when Julie Delpy talks about not taking pictures when on vacation, even though she's a photographer. She finds it invariably separates her from her surroundings, and she'd rather experience everything herself. Except she obviously says it much better than my paraphrasing.

Old City was charming. Tons of nooks and crannies. Tons of interesting buildings, green corners and squares and hideaway parks. I really enjoyed it, and would love to live there. There were the couple of blocks where there were tons of tourists, but the rest of it felt pretty personal. And there was the random street or garden which was just so delightfully old. My favorite part of the afternoon was visiting Washington Square. It happens to be where the tomb of the unknown soldier of the American Revolution is, and I can't imagine a nicer place to be laid to rest. This sunny sunday afternoon lured people out of their homes to relax in the park, playing frisbee with their dogs, their kids, chatting with a friend. It was my idea of a perfect sunday afternoon. I love sunday afternoons when I'm out. I could have sat there until it was dark. But I didn't think Jessica would enjoy that too much. Something else awesome about Washington Square? It's filled with corpses. It turned into a burying ground for Revolutionary War soldiers who died of wounds or sickness. It was later a place where local African Americans would gather and play music and dance. And now it's a truly lovely little park.

Jessica and I wandered over to the river and found a park/statue dedicated to Irish immigrants from the Potato Famine. Of course everywhere you turn in Old City you can read about some (sometimes random) piece of interesting history. It's kind of awesome like that. We headed into a restaurant call Marathon Grill which was a nice find. I had french toast.

The thing about our eating situation here is that it seems a shame not to use the majority of the money they provide us for dinner. Plus, when we're here at the hotel, we only have two choices for dinner. The restaurant here, and the restaurant in the Sheraton next door. The restaurant here is full of bad-for-you food. I am so glad we finally went over to the next hotel this evening. It's a little better. And for lunch they feed us a ridiculous amount of bad-for-you food. And they provide a couple of bad-for-you snacks throughout the day. And the girls here? They are STUFFING THEIR FACES. Going back for second and third plate fulls. I've never seen anything like it because a lot of these girls are Popular Girls. You know what I mean? And they're taking an oreo klondike bar AND Tasty Cakes for their snack. What? I feel bad enough taking the oreo klondike bar!

And when we get back to our room, about 6:30, I'd have to be quite motivated to get to the gym and to a restaurant before 10:00. Because I'm hungry after class, but I'm too full to go to the gym after eating. I know. PATHETIC. I am such a pushover when it comes to my food-rationalizing brain.

As for Sephora University. I am learning some great basics. But I've got to say, I feel too smart for this conference. Isn't that incredibly arrogant of me? But we're going rather slowly for my taste, we review things way more times than I need to, and I find my mind wandering way too often. I answer all the questions right because guess what? We are learning foundational knowledge, not anything in the least advanced. And am I the only one that reviews what we learn for ten minutes at night so that I will remember it the next day? Apparently so. I guess Jessica and I just come from an awesome store that has trained and prepared us well. But the conference in general has a great, fun, responsible, and proud-in-a-good-way atmosphere. I really like this company and I really wouldn't mind staying with them for a long time. And I do think I'll be coming home with some great new knowledge which will really help me with my job, and which will be really useful information in general. I really like our four trainers, and I think that it's incredible that Sephora does this, and even more, PAYS us to do this.

P.S. Thanks to my job, and what I've learned there, my skin has never been better.

We wish we could go back into the city, but it costs $14 to get there and back, so it's not likely when we'd just be there for a few hours in the dark. So we just chillax in our paid for hotel room.

Philly Cheesesteak.

I am so going to gain 15 pounds this week and have to wear my fat clothes again.


More on this later.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Some things I would buy if I could just spend my money.


Poster of one of my favorite plays ever. Changed my perception of theatre.
Another good one. I love the National's Poster Archive.
No, I didn't see it, but I am still obsessed.
The programme.
Sweet vegan cookbook.
Yummm.
Did you know that one of the best things you can do for the earth is to become a vegetarian?
All purpose bag-- for groceries and anything else!
I don't really know if I want this or the full out version, but I definitely want one of them. The full out version is like 6 times as costly.
Because you can never trust what the machines tell you, and it's all about your target heart rate zone.