all the hits so far

now listening.

2012-02-14T09:30:00.001-05:00

pumped up kick

2012-02-12T23:18:00.000-05:00

my arm is still pretty sore.

winners//2012 BAFTA AWARDS

2012-02-12T18:36:00.000-05:00

The closest you can be to the Oscars, without actually being the Oscars, is the Orange British Academy Film Awards, England's answer to the Academy Awards. This years awards, handed out earlier today (which was nighttime for them), are looking similar to what this year's Oscars will probably look like. Here's a look at the winners:

Best Film: THE ARTIST
Best British Film: TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
Best Actor: Jean Dujardin, THE ARTIST
Best Actress: Meryl Streep, THE IRON LADY
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, BEGINNERS
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, THE HELP
Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius, THE ARTIST
Best Original Screenplay: THE ARTIST
Best Adapted Screenplay: TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
Best Cinematography: THE ARTIST
Best Editing: SENNA
Best Production Design: HUGO
Best Costume Design: THE ARTIST
Best Film Music: THE ARTIST
Best Makeup/Hair: THE IRON LADY
Best Sound: HUGO
Best Visual Effects: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2
Best Foreign Language Film: THE SKIN I LIVE IN
Best Animated Film: RANGO
Best Documentary: SENNA

nice cover, casey cooper

2012-02-08T12:32:00.000-05:00

I've known Casey for a while (actually a really long time, now that I think about it) and he's been an incredible drummer for most of that time. When he's famous (not that he isn't already), I'll probably brag a lot about how I used to be in a band with him.
This cover is incredible. For more of his covers, check out his YouTube channel: COOP3RDRUMM3R.

Here's "First of the Year", by Skrillex.

somebody that i used to know

2012-02-08T08:12:00.001-05:00

Now and then I think of when we were together

Like when you said you felt so happy you could die

Told myself you were right for me

But felt so lonely in your company

But that was love and it's an ache to still remember

You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness

Like resignation to the end, always the end

So when we found that we could not make sense

Well you said that we would still be friends

But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over

But you didn't have to cut me off

Make out like it never happened and now we were nothing

And I don't even need your love

But you treat me like a stranger and it feels so rough

No you didn't have to stoop so low

Have your friends collect your records and then change your number

I guess that I don't need that though

Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over

But had me believing it was always something that I'd done

But I don't wanna live that way

Reading into every word you say

You said that you could let it go

And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know

But you didn't have to cut me off

Make out like it never happened and now we were nothing

And I don't even need your love

But you treat me like a stranger and it feels so rough

And you didn't have to stoop so low

Have your friends collect your records and then change your number

I guess that I don't need that though

Now you're just somebody that I used to know

cgi or real?

2012-02-07T10:10:00.001-05:00

greece

2012-01-30T12:09:00.004-05:00

Out of all of the trips I've been on, this is the one I want to experience all over again. When I was a sophomore in college, while studying Greek theatre, we took an incredible trip all over ancient and modern Greece. We went all the way up to Corinth, around the Corinth Sea to Arachova, then over to Mount Parnassus and the city of Delphi, up on top of Mount Olympus, then down to the island of Crete, and back up into Athens. The culture. The food. The history. The art. The architecture. It was the trip of a lifetime. Anyone want to go?

The Alps

Acropolis

Parthenon

Byzantine Chapel, Athens

Corinth

Temple of Apollo, Corinth

Theatre of Epidaurus

Statue of Apollo, Olympia

Corinth Sea

Delphi

Arachova

Downtown Athens

winners//18TH SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS

2012-01-29T20:33:00.000-05:00

When becoming an actor one of the biggest achievements is getting your SAG card and second to that is getting to say an opening monologue with the words "...and I'm an actor". Tonight the Screen Actors Guild gives out their annual kudos for the best performances of the year. Usually these end up being a good precursor for who ends up taking home the Oscar. Here are the winners.

Best Ensemble Cast: THE HELP
Best Actress: Viola Davis, THE HELP
Best Actor: Jean Dujardin, THE ARTIST
Best Ensemble Cast in a TV Series, Drama: BOARDWALK EMPIRE
Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama: Steve Buscemi, BOARDWALK EMPIRE
Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama: Jessica Lange, AMERICAN HORROR STORY
Best Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries: Paul Giamatti, TOO BIG TO FAIL
Best Actress in a TV Movie or Miniseries: Kate Winslet, MILDRED PIERCE
Best Ensemble Cast in a TV Series, Comedy: Cast of MODERN FAMILY
Best Actress in a TV Series, Comedy: Betty White, HOT IN CLEVELAND
Best Actor in a TV Series, Comedy: Alec Baldwin, 30 ROCK
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, THE HELP
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, BEGINNERS

peace in the dark

2012-01-29T17:35:00.000-05:00

We spend so much time searching. We pour our hearts out so much. Eventually we have nothing left to give.
You look at that person and think they're okay. They're smiling.
When, actually, they are dying. If you left tomorrow, I don't know what I'd do.
Everyone has feelings. And feelings have pain. So, when you see that person, think. What if they took their own life? Would you act the same? Would you look at their picture and think you could have saved them if you would have just been there for them?

This is just one of the things some of the guys wrote this week at school. They were given an assignment to write about the topic of bullying and it's effects. They were allowed to write whatever they wanted. A poem. A story. A monologue. A rap. Anything. They could've written from the perspective of a bully, of a person being bullied, of someone who's hurting, or as someone offering encouragement to those who are hurting. Some of them didn't take it quite as seriously as I would have hoped, but others left me and the rest of the class speechless. Sometimes I think it just takes giving them the right opportunity for them to feel like they can be themselves. There's some talent hidden in them. Plus, I think it was an eye-opener for some of them to see how others think. It can be frustrating, but I love my job. I love hanging out with these guys every day. Here's another one.

A tear streams from tired, bloodshot eyes.
My heart is stabbed, it screams, it cries.
In the chaos I seek something, anything, to control.
Despair swallows better judgement and openly gapes the hole.
All I wanted was to help you, make you happy, give you the best.
But attempted self-victory only complicates and worsens the mess.
Numbness fell, and day by day, I begin to dig my own grave.
I found complacency in my lifeless, self-soluditary cave.
Built of lies, self-disgust, and hate, I am beyond human hope.
Clearly I am lost in my "being able", and in my to "cope".
I am deeply sorry for my causing pain, sorrow, guilt, and regret.
Why am I such a failure? I cannot atone my debt.
The lesson is this: What we try to control controls us in the end.
But there is renewal in trusting surrender to the unfailing Creator who mends.
Life will never be a free walk in the park.
But we can have peace and joy even in the dark.

nominees//84TH ACADEMY AWARDS

2012-01-24T10:16:00.000-05:00

There were a few surprises this morning as the nominations for the 84th Academy Awards were announced. No one was expecting Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close to pull off a Best Picture nod. And, while she has shown up here and there, Melissa McCarthy's Best Supporting Actress nomination is kind of a surprise. Who would have thought Bridesmaids would get two Oscar nominations? The Artist is still the frontrunner in the race, but Hugo and The Descendants are coming in close. Here's a look at some of the big nomination categories. The awards will be handed out live on February 26 at 7e/4p on ABC. For more information and a complete list of nominees, visit oscar.com.

Best Picture
THE ARTIST
THE DESCENDANTS
EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE
THE HELP
HUGO
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
MONEYBALL
THE TREE OF LIFE
WAR HORSE

Best Director
Woody Allen, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
Michel Hazanavicius, THE ARTIST
Terrence Malick, THE TREE OF LIFE
Alexander Payne, THE DESCENDANTS
Martin Scorcese, HUGO

Best Actor
Demian Bichir, A BETTER LIFE
George Clooney, THE DESCENDANTS
Jean Dujardin, THE ARTIST
Gary Oldman, TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
Brad Pitt, MONEYBALL

Best Actress
Glenn Close, ALBERT NOBBS
Viola Davis, THE HELP
Rooney Mara, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Meryl Streep, THE IRON LADY
Michelle Williams, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branaugh, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
Jonah Hill, MONEYBALL
Nick Nolte, WARRIOR
Christopher Plummer, BEGINNERS
Max von Sydow, EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE

Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo, THE ARTIST
Jessica Chastain, THE HELP
Melissa McCarthy, BRIDESMAIDS
Janet McTeer, ALBERT NOBBS
Octavia Spencer, THE HELP

Best Original Screenplay
THE ARTIST
BRIDESMAIDS
MARGIN CALL
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
A SEPARATION

Best Adapted Screenplay
THE DESCENDANTS
HUGO
THE IDES OF MARCH
MONEYBALL
TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Best Animated Film
A CAT IN PARIS
CHICO & RITA
KUNG FU PANDA 2
PUSS IN BOOTS
RANGO

Best Foreign Language Film
BULLHEAD (Belgium)
FOOTNOTE (Israel)
IN DARKNESS (Poland)
MONSIEUR LAZHAR (Canada)
A SEPARATION (Iran)

Best Original Score
THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN
THE ARTIST
HUGO
TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
WAR HORSE

Best Original Song
"Man or Muppet", THE MUPPETS
"Real in Rio", RIO

Best Documentary
HELL AND BACK AGAIN
IF A TREE FALLS: A STORY OF THE EARTH LIBERATION FRONT
PARADISE LOST 3: PURGATORY
PINA
UNDEFEATED

my childhood in five minutes

2012-01-20T22:56:00.001-05:00

fun//WE ARE YOUNG

2012-01-20T18:30:00.002-05:00

in my twenties

2012-01-20T17:57:00.003-05:00

Found these here.

quote

2012-01-17T14:33:00.006-05:00

Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company.
...Now you're just somebody that I used to know.
WALK OFF THE EARTH, Gotye

wine.

2012-01-16T19:48:00.000-05:00

In this month's issue of Details magazine David Sokol takes you on a trip to some of the most innovative and architecturally stimulating wineries the world has to offer.
If there was one thing I wish I was more versed in it would be wine. I like to think I know a thing or two. Like, I usually say I prefer red wine, but I find white wine just as easy to drink. I pretend to know which wine flavors work best with which food flavors, but honestly I couldn't pick out a good steak wine as compared to a cheese wine, a dessert wine to a seafood wine.
Even though I might have to consciously remind myself what the difference between domestic and imported is each time I'm at the grocery store, it doesn't mean I'm not trying. I'd like to know what the importance of a drink having "legs" means. I know how to "chew" my drink, but why am I supposed to do that? A wine tasting would be great. A wine tasting and an especially incredible view from an especially incredible building would be even better.
I'm going to go ahead and add these to the list of places I want to go.

O. FOURNIER

Argentina

Located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, O. Fournier uses a gravity-driven winemaking process that minimizes damage to the grapes. The top level of the building is used for crushing. The juice goes into fermentation tanks before dripping into the wine cellar, which also doubles as an art gallery. O. Fournier is known for it's Alfa Crux blend of Malbec, Merlot, and Tempranillo. The winery is also home to a six-course-meal serving restaurant and seven guest cottages.

PREISINGER

Austria

Owned and operated by a third-generation winemaker, Preisinger boasts a minimalist approach to it's winemaking process. The building, designed by Propeller Z, is made of concrete and larch wood. It's handmade/modern look is felt even in the tasting room where visitors sit on concrete benches, surrounded by wooden shelves that contain bottles of Preisinger's finest wines.

BODEGAS PORTIA

Spain

The elaborate winery is designed by Lord Norman Foster, the man currently in charge of the new Apple campus in Cupertino, California. Split into three "blades", each section of the building is responsible for it's own stage of the winemaking process (fermentation, aging, and storage). The structure is built like propeller blades, with each blade slightly submerged underground. The concrete and steel structure is strong enough for trucks to drive on in order to dump grapes into the center area. The complete winery is inclosed with a viewing glass for visitors to get a chance to see every aspect of the process.

LA ROCCA DI FRASSINELLO

Italy

A fairly new winery (it opened in 2007), La Rocca di Frassinello is located in Italy's Tuscany region. Staying true to the culture, the winery mixes traditional Tuscan architecture with an industrial theme. The cellar is the truly memorable spot, resembling an amphitheater and housing up to 2,500 barrels at any given time.

MERUS

St. Helena, California

Another fairly new winery, Merus is owned by a husband and wife who bottled their first wine in their garage in 1998. In 2009 they opened the Dutch-designed Merus winery on an old winery property and are known for their two Cabernet Sauvignons, the Merus and the Altus, both of which are only sold in exclusive wine shops and restaurants. If you want your own bottle you have to be added to a members list first. Must be good wine, right? Besides bottling the two famous wines, using fruit from local vineyards, the winery is most known for the event space in the old winery's storage caves and decorated with lavish chandeliers and pieces of wine barrels.

winners//2012 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

2012-01-15T19:43:00.000-05:00

Hollywood's second biggest night, and arguably the more fun of the two nights (thanks to the alcoholic drinks at each table), the Golden Globes can sometimes predict who/what will end up taking away Academy Awards next month. Here are the winners...

Best Motion Picture, Drama

THE DESCENDANTS

Best Motion Picture, Comedy/Musical

THE ARTIST

Best Motion Picture Actor, Drama

George Clooney, THE DESCENDANTS

Best Motion Picture Actress, Drama

Meryl Streep, THE IRON LADY

Best Motion Picture Actor, Comedy/Musical

Jean Dujardin, THE ARTIST

Best Motion Picture Actress, Comedy/Musical

Michelle Williams, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

Best Motion Picture Supporting Actor

Christopher Plummer, BEGINNERS

Best Motion Picture Supporting Actress

Octavia Spencer, THE HELP

Best Director

Martin Scorsese, HUGO

Best Original Screenplay

Woody Allen, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

Best Original Song

"Masterpiece", Madonna, W.E.

Best Original Score

Ludovic Bource, THE ARTIST

Best Foreign Language Film

A SEPARATION (Iran)

Best Animated Film

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN

For a complete look at all of the winners, click here.

quote

2012-01-15T17:54:00.001-05:00

so teach my song to rise to you
when temptation comes my way
and when i cannot stand i'll fall on you
jesus, you're my hope and stay

religion vs. jesus

2012-01-13T16:11:00.002-05:00

winners//2012 CRITIC'S CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS

2012-01-12T20:12:00.000-05:00

The first awards show of the year is here.
The Critic's Choice Awards tend to be a good indicator of who and what may walk away with Oscars next month.
Here are the winners:

Best Picture
THE ARTIST
Best Actor
George Clooney, THE DESCENDANTS
Best Actress
Viola Davis, THE HELP
Best Director
Michel Hazanavicius, THE ARTIST
Best Original Screenplay
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
Best Adapted Screenplay
MONEYBALL
Best Documentary Feature
GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD
Best Young Actor/Actress
Thomas Horn, EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE
Best Foreign Language Film
A Separation
Best Comedy Feature
BRIDESMAIDS
Best Animated Feature
RANGO
Best Ensemble
The Cast of THE HELP
Best Supporting Actor
Christopher Plummer, BEGINNERS
Best Supporting Actress
Octavia Spencer, THE HELP

quote

2012-01-10T11:46:00.000-05:00

You, as an artist, have the greatest responsibility of all. You are charged with trying to make people feel, in a world that tells them not to. You are tasked with speaking soft words, painting, playing, filming, writing moments of such magnitude and beauty that people rediscover their hearts one more (last) time. You are here to give meaning to the few decades we spend here. That is the reason you were sent to Earth.
- I Wrote This For You

top ten//MOVIES OF 2011

2012-01-10T10:23:00.000-05:00

Based on the past few years, 2011 was a really good year for movies. There were epic masterpieces by some of Hollywood's biggest and greatest directors (Spielberg released two movies, on top of producing others). There were great action movies (who knew Fast Five would be the best in the franchise so far?). There were scenes that will always be remembered (the dress shop scene in Bridesmaids). And, there were breakout stars (Jessica Chastain co-starred in 7 movies this year). There were movies that were controversial (people walked out of The Tree of Life). There were movies that shouldn't have even been made (um, Jack and Jill?).
Here's a look at the movies I thought were the best of the best this year. The ones that left me thinking. The ones that had me on the edge of my seat. The ones that entertained me. The ones I'll never forget.
(And, for those of you with short attention spans, my reviews of each film are only a sentence or two long...mostly.)

1. THE TREE OF LIFE

Directed by: Terrence Malick
Starring: Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Sean Penn, Hunter McCracken
If a movie can be considered a piece of art, this would be the Mona Lisa. Plus, Pitt proved he's more than just a face.

2. THE ARTIST

Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius
Starring: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller
Accomplished what most movies can't. Comedy. Drama. Suspense. Love. Oh, and it's a silent film. Classic Hollywood. Definitely worth your time.

3. HUGO

Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Lee, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen
A fun adventure film which sneakily educates you on the invention of the movies themselves. And, note to Hollywood, this is what 3-D films should look and feel like.

4. DRIVE

Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Albert Brooks
Most under-rated movie of the year. The elevator scene is perfect. Gosling has never been better.

5. LIKE CRAZY

Directed by: Drake Doremus
Starring: Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones, Jennifer Lawrence
Most real love story you'll ever see. Plus a perfect soundtrack. And, I'm going to marry Felicity Jones.

6. SHAME

Directed by: Steve McQueen
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan
Be prepared, this movie is intense. Fassbender gives the performance of the year. Depressing, in a good way.

7. 50/50

Directed by: Jonathan Levine
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard
Cancer can be funny? Yes. Which makes it more real. Based on a true story.

8. WIN WIN

Directed by: Thomas McCarthy
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Alex Shaffer
Sports movie of the year that isn't really about sports. Human experience at it's core reality.

9. MELANCHOLIA

Directed by: Lars von Trier
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlotte Gainsbourg
It's the end of the world. And it's beautiful.

10. SUPER 8

Directed by: J. J. Abrams
Starring: Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Kyle Chandler
What summer movies are supposed to be like. Spielbergian movie that will be remembered like The Goonies.

Honorable Mentions:
THE DESCENDANTS
EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE
BRIDESMAIDS
FAST FIVE
WAR HORSE
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
THE MUPPETS

twenty eleven.

2011-12-31T16:49:00.000-05:00

Yes, this is the ubiquitous "end of the year" blog post.
There's actually not too much that I can or want to say about 2011 that's really any different than I've said at the end of every other year. 2011 had it's ups and downs, it's new experiences and it's fading memories. The word "friend" took on a newer meaning, as did the words "grace" and "love".
As I get older and the years go by a lot quicker (especially 2011, for some reason), other things outside of those three words seem to be less important.
2011 was a year of change, but not always to something new.
This year saw quite a few random job opportunities added to my increasingly large resume. Property management. Lawn care. Law firm. And finally, back to where I kind of new I should have always been, teacher. The acting side of things, on the other hand, saw it's slowest year so far. Really the only thing of merit was some great days over the summer slobbering around as a zombie.
Music had a great year. From Bon Iver to Adele, there were some great albums released. Movies had a good year, too. The Tree of Life has consistently left me thinking over and over again. And, Bridesmaids is definitely the most-talked about movie I've seen all year. There were also moments that shocked everybody, and made for some good conversation: Casey Anthony, Charlie Sheen, Rebecca Black, the 72-day marriage, Herman Cain, Tim Tebow, the list could go on and on.
I've had some of the best moments of my life this year, like the incredible experience that was the Hillsong United Aftermath Tour. I've had some learning moments, as in I'll never choose to spend an entire day at an airport waiting for a stand-by flight ever again. I've also had some defining moments where I really came to understand the meaning behind God putting you in a certain place at a certain time, like hanging with the coolest teenagers in the world every single day.
I've seen life start and life end.
I've seen the world get shaken by natural disasters. And, I remembered where I was on September 11, ten years later.
I watched the announcement of Bin Laden's death and that of the war ending, being thankful that my newly-graduated Army Reserves brother may not have to worry about going to fight.
I saw people come into my life and grow closer. I saw people go away, onto new things.

At the end of today, though, I'll look forward to what 2012 has to offer. At this point, I'll be content with anything. I'm comfortable with where I'm at. I mean, of course there are things I'd change if I could. I'd save my money better, maybe even get out of debt. I'd have a new car. I'd be back in school, earning a masters in something. I'd improve my golf swing. I'd be better at cooking. I'd have someone special. I'd get an even better understanding of God. But, overall I'm happy. I have what I need. I have somewhere to sleep. I have a job (though I'd like to make a little more money...haha). I have people in my life who care about me. And, most importantly, I have a God who loves me enough to have chosen me. His grace really is enough.
Thanks for everything. Happy New Year!

quote

2011-12-30T20:37:00.004-05:00

I am both happy and sad, and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower

calvin and hobbes

2011-12-25T13:01:00.000-05:00

While I did get the people closest to me a few things, and I got some pretty incredible things from those same people, this kind of reminds what it's all really about.
Plus, Calvin & Hobbes are awesome.
Merry Christmas everybody!

hillsong//born is the king

2011-12-25T08:06:00.002-05:00