Technicolour Muse

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

2012-10-01T21:23:00.000-06:00

I was lucky enough to get (free) tickets to go see and advanced screen of The Perks of Being a Wallflower tonight. I read the book this summer and to say I was moved would be an understatement. I was in a really bad place and it flipped things on its head for me in a lot of ways. So, needless to say, I was so excited for the movie. Especially because the screenplay was written by the author and it was directed by the author. So I couldn't see how it would be bad.

I wasn't wrong. Don't worry, I'm not going to post any spoilers. But the fact that I feel like I've just run a marathon, that I've been through emotional hell, but yet feel optimistic at the same time should say a lot. It was exactly the same way I felt after reading the book. Clouds have been parted and I can see the light, so to speak. It feels like this 5000 pound weight has been lifted off of my chest, shoulders and head and I can breathe. I can move. My doubt is gone. Everything is okay.

And to make it even better, the casting was perfect. It was like Chbosky took the characters from my imagination and threw them onto the screen for me. Ezra Miller as Patrick was especially just stellar. And Paul Rudd as Mr. Anderson. As soon as I saw him I went "OH MY GOD YES" because it was just right.

Basically, what I'm saying is please, please do yourself a favour and go see The Perks of Being a Wallflower. You will not regret it.

University Student

2012-08-27T17:52:00.001-06:00

Obviously I don't use this blog much. It's only purpose is to exist in case I want to write something down so that I remember it in the future. This is one of those times.

Dylan and I went to the U of A campus today. It was the first time I'd been there since getting accepted, and the first time I explored more than just HUB mall and the Timms Centre. We go lost trying to find the Cameron Library so I could get my ONE Card, and in doing so discovered some absolutely gorgeous buildings and spaces.

The Arts building, for instance, look reminiscent of a castle. It's made out of stone and brick, and the inside is plastered with fake marble that doesn't really look fake. It is beautiful. I was in awe. Even the Fine Arts Building - which is basically concrete and bricks - has its own beauty to it. And I can not wait to start my journey there.

Mid June?

2012-06-15T23:16:00.003-06:00

Where has June gone? It's already halfway through the month and I just...don't understand how that happened. *flails* Which means its almost been a month since I last blogged. *facedesk* Whoops.

The past month has...well, flown. I've been working a lot at the college - I got a job there as the summer technician, so I've been working a lot of high school band shows and dance recitals. Now that those are done I'll be doing a lot of maintenance....including organizing the props loft. Oy vey. It's gonna be a big job, I tells ya. But it'll be worth it to look so amazing. *brushes off shoulders*

Other than work, I've really just...been letting life pass me by. Which is awful awful awful, but that's what happens when you don't have enough money to go do fun things. I did go see The Avengers though - AND OMG IT WAS AMAZING. I NEED THIS MOVIE TO BE MINE. SO GOOD.

It's inspired me to start reading super hero graphic novels I haven't actually read any since Marvel 1602, which I mentioned in my last post, but it was really good! And I think it'd be better if I knew more about all of the characters. So that needs to happen. But I really do think I need to finish Storm of Swords before I finish anything else. Even if I did just buy Graceling. Storm of Swords is just...getting so good! I can tell I'm almost to the climax, which means its getting hard to put down, but I'm having this problem where I'm terrified to keep reading because of what I fear is going to happen. Kayla isn't helping with her looks when I tell her where I am. But I think she's just so excited to talk about it soon that she can't help herself.

I am also really addicted to Dragon Age: Origins right now. It is ALL HEATHER'S FAULT. She got it for my for Christmas and I just...addicted. Though I did choose to do the Orzammar quest, so I may be stalled for a while. :P That's what happened the first time I played it. (Note: I finished the game the first time and immediately started to reply it. I miss my Elvish Magi, but I like the backstory of the Human Noble better.) I am completely in love with Alastair. He is just...sweet and adorable and I want to hug him until everything is Alastair and nothing hurts. When he gave me the rose...and then later he kissed me...oh god I died. And now he talks to my companions/my companions talk to him about me all the time when he's in the party and it is is just so beautiful. Be still, my heart. #fangirlwoes

Heather showed me this amazing Alastair/Zevran fanfic the other night...suffice to say I devoured it. It was PERFECT, guys. The author had the characterizations down pat, and I just....ahhhhhh soooo goooood. Seriously, if you've played this game, gtfo my blog and go read it. Because I can not compete with the brilliance.

Happy Happy Happy

2012-05-17T17:52:00.000-06:00

I've been meaning to blog for a while now, but to be honest, I only remember when I'm not around my computer. Whoops.

I have had some really great news since I blogged last - I got into the U of A! I got the email two weeks ago tomorrow, and I completely freaked out. I was shaking and just about couldn't function for about an hour. It was such a surprise, especially because I didn't need to do an interview (which, honestly, is a relief. Interviews are so nerve racking!) So Dylan and I are officially moving up to Edmonton come August! Whooooo!

I also got a job as the summer theatre technician at the college, which I start on Tuesday. I couldn't be more happy! I get to work at what I love while making money. Yay!

So lots of happy. There's been a lot of stress up until now about finding a job, but now that I have one I'm just so happy. I also just got back from the library, where I came home with four graphic novels (The Last Temptation, The Books of Magic and Creatures of the Night all by Neil Gaiman, and Arkham Asylum) and the Pride and Prejudice mini series. Kayla and I also went to Chapters and I got Marvel 1602 (also by Neil Gaiman) which I'm so excited to read! It's a great start to my superhero education.

So I am just a super happy camper right now! I have a great weekend to look forward to - Dylan and I are going to go to the Farmers Market on Saturday and then I'm going to the Calgary Zoo with Randy and Kale on Sunday. So that will be just wonderful. And in the mean time, lots of reading! But first, (500) Days of Summer, because it's just one of those days and it's been too long.

Calgary Comic Expo 2012

2012-05-02T16:23:00.001-06:00

This past weekend I went to the Calgary Comic Expo with Kayla and Maxine, and man it was totally rad. Friday was probably the best day, just because there were so few people there and we could actually move. We spent the entire time in the vendor room, spending our monies, but still, it was probably the best.

There is only one reason was Saturday might have been better. And that is quite simply, James and Oliver Phelps.

I met them, see? See? Well, kind of. I got a picture with them. And had my arm around James for a total of like...a minute and a half. And he had his arm around me. And said hi to me. And asked me how my day was going. In his beautiful, beautiful accent. His sweater was so soft. Sigh.

I also got Kate Beaton to sign "Hark! A Vagrant" and she drew me a Mr. Darcy and an Elizabeth! Besides the James and Oliver picture, it is my favourite thing from the Expo. I just. Agh. <3

We went and saw Adam Baldwin's panel with Zach, though we got separated from Kayla because it was so full in the room, and she was the only one who got a real seat. (Maxine, Zach and I stood at the back.) Adam Baldwin is so funny! I just, ahhhhh. So good! I went and got his autograph on Sunday, and he's also super nice. He asks everyone what their name is, instead of reading it off of the little paper, and he asks what you do and starts up a little conversation with you. It makes you feel like a real person to him, rather than just a fan. It was really really nice. And he actually looked at me when he signed, rather than just staring at the picture and shoving it at me. (We talked briefly about "Twelfth Night" and it's steampunky-ness. He loved the idea!)

Sunday was okay. There were so many people it was actually kind icky trying to move. Kayla and I tried to get an autograph from James and Oliver, but gave up because of the craziness, and I decided to go get Adam Baldwin's instead. I also got the author of Kill Shakespeare to sign my copy of the first volume - he was really excited and nice too! So yay!

It was overall a really fantastic weekend, I got to see Patrick Stewart in the flesh, and James Marsters and Amanda Tapping. It was wonderful and nerdy and just great.

James and Oliver Phelps

2012-04-28T22:01:00.001-06:00

So I am going to be doing a Calgary Expo write up later this week, once I am recovered and such, but I want to write about one thing in particular while it's fresh in my mind.

I met James and Oliver Phelps today.

I stood in line for a total of two hours in order to get this beautiful, beautiful picture with my two friends and James and Oliver. My feet ached, my backpack felt like it had a ton of bricks in it, but you know what, it was so so worth it.

Seeing them from afar was just amazing. But then James (I think) talked to me - just normal stuff, saying hi, asking how I was, and put his arm around me for the picture (his sweater was so soft!) and I think I died. His accent is even more beautiful in person. And I just....ahhhhhh. <3

I was shaking so badly after, my heart was pounding. I can honestly say I've never felt that before. Not when I met Darren Criss (though I was a bit shaky), or when I met Evanna.

Ah, fangirlism. You're beautiful.

The Final Day

2012-04-24T13:30:00.002-06:00

I'm back at the HPA!

I officially returned on the 20th, and it's so amazing to be back working with such a fantastic group of people. You know how I said I didn't really miss it a few posts back? Well, I didn't really feel like I missed it until about a week ago. So now I'm back! Whooooo!

Yesterday was also my final hurrah at school. We had our design presentations for our final one act designs, which was kind of relief to finally do so I could stop thinking about it.

"Waiting" final model!

My "Waiting" costume renderings! I'm so happy with the final products.

Later we had a potluck at Carrie's, which was just absolutely fantastic. Not everyone could come, which was kind of cruddy, but we had a lot of fun. We basically just sat out on her front porch (it was soooo nice out yesterday, it felt like summer), ate some yummy food and shot the shit for a few hours. Lauren, Dylan, Ben and I stayed really quite late, and we eventually moved in to Carrie's living room and it was just awesome. I can't explain it any other way. We drank and talked about politics and school and it was just...awesome.

Yesterday could be the last day I see some of my classmates, which is really weird to think of. We spent basically two whole years together, almost 24/7. It's just...so weird. I may never work another Mainstage show. I probably won't work another one with my classmates. It's sad. The past two years have been such a roller coaster ride, and it really feels like it's been longer than two years. The TENT program has made me into such a better person, a more complete person.

Finality

2012-04-18T20:01:00.001-06:00

Today had such a huge air of finality.

I had my last proper class as an RDC TENT student (if you can call any of my classes proper classes :P), and I just...I am full of this deep sadness. This program was the first time I ever felt at home, or like I belonged somewhere. My best friends are in this program. I consider many of my instructors to be friends, and not just instructors. It's so weird to think that in less than a week, I will no longer have anything to do, so far as Red Deer College is concerned. I won't have any more shows to work, I won't have any assignments due or calls to go to. It feels like this journey has been so much longer than two years, and I don't want it to be over. I have learned so much more than the curriculum from my instructors - they have taught me how to be a functioning member of society, how to communicate with people around me, how to, in short, succeed. I owe so much to them and I really don't know how to thank them for it.

I mean...seriously. I knew nothing about theatre going in. I didn't know what a fly rail was, or a Source4, or a drift, or hell, even blacks. I wouldn't be able to tell you what "drafting" meant, or how big the rise of a standard stair is. If you had asked me to build something in 1/4" scale I would have looked at you like you were crazy. I have come so far in the last two years. And it's just so bittersweet. In a matter of weeks my classmates are going to be spread across the globe - one of my best friends is moving to Edinburgh, for crying out loud! And I just don't want to think about it, but at the same time, it's all I can think about tonight.

It's so weird to think that I won't be going back to the Arts Centre come September. I will be at some other school, possibly in another province. I can't even imagine it right now.

Designhead.

2012-04-13T20:30:00.001-06:00

I finished my model! YUSSS. FINALLY. I would show it to you, but I am too lazy to take a picture of it right now. (Yes, it is sitting within arms reach. Yes, so is my iPhone. Don't be a judgey face!) I will probably show you the whole design once it's finished sooooo...tomorrow? Maybe? That's probably being generous. But I will cross my fingers and hope if you will!

In sort of unrelated news...I GOT INTO UVIC!! I found out yesterday. I was in the middle of model building, watching Firefly (it has become a model-building tradition) and just wishing that the damned thing would just finish itself. (I was very frustrated at it by this point). When suddenly...my phone rings. It was an unrecognized number from BC. Now normally, I screen my calls, and I almost hit ignore just out of habit before my brain clicked in that holy shit this might be university. And, by golly it was. The lady on the phone ("Fran") told me how thrilled they were that I wanted to go to UVic, and how excited they were to accept me. At which point, realizing that I had got in and wouldn't have to do an interview or anything, I started to freak. I started to shake and I could feel a squee coming up, but I contained it. Somehow. Fran also told me that they were trying to make it so that I'd only have to do three years, instead of four, because I have some transfer credits, and she also wanted to swing it so that I wouldn't have to take the acting class. Uh...suh-weet!

So needless to say, it was really hard to concentrate on my model for a bit after that. I could be going to Victoria in a few months, guys! To live! :D My only concern with that is Dylan, and the fact that he wants to come with me, but it'd be really hard to find work. So...there's that. Oh, adulthood. You so hard.

Modellllllll

2012-04-10T21:47:00.001-06:00

The past two days have been spent staring at tiny things. AKA my model for "Waiting".

It's still very much in it's beginnings stage.

When I model build, I watch movies in the background, so my productivity varies on with how distracted I get by the movie. So needless to say, I have watched a quite few movies in the past few days ("Iron Man", "Casino Royale" and "Sherlock Holmes" were today's pick).

I also got my Calgary Expo ticket today! Whooooo! So now that's official!

This blog is so boring. I don't even know. I don't have a lot of thoughts right now, more just blank staring at my computer screen. Perhaps not the best blogging state?

Easter on the Fourth Month

2012-04-09T00:37:00.002-06:00

I was about to go to bed when I realized I hadn't written a blog yet today. Whoops. This is me, half asleep and laying in bed, trying to keep to my goal of writing a blog for the rest of the days in April.

Today was a pretty much perfect day. I ate good food and spent time with my family. We laughed a lot. I came back home with clean laundry and Easter leftovers and got to spend the rest of the day with Dylan. We've been together four months today. It's so crazy how it feels like forever, but it's only been four months.

We hung out at his place for a while with Ben, Sam, Brett and Clarke. We basically just watched Dylan kill things on a PS3 video game that I don't know the name of. It was awesome - between Ben, Brett, Clarke and I, we got pretty good at taking the mickey out of Dylan by the time Brett had to leave and Dylan and I came back to my place for dinner, which mom sent home with me. She insisted on me taking the Easter leftovers, and I was more than happy to oblige. Free food! Free dinner!

We pretty much just spent the evening talking and being with each other, and it was honestly the best way we could possible spend an anniversary. Especially because it was his first day of from "King is the King" (the current RDC theatre production, which I'm not involved with.) and it will be his last day off until strike because the run of the show is so short. It closes on...Saturday I think? I honestly have no idea, I'm so out of the loop as far as King goes, but the productions usually close on Saturdays.

I'm at total peace with not being involved with the show. I don't really care anymore. I was pretty annoyed at first, but I'm okay with it now. Maybe it's because it's almost done now. Who knows? I'm just hoping that I can actually motivate myself to work on my model for "Waiting" this week! And do some other adult-y things, like do my taxes. Ick.

Uncle Dave

2012-04-07T20:15:00.000-06:00

It's amazing how much one person can change your entire day.

Yesterday I drove to my aunt's house for a baby shower for my cousin/Good Friday shindig, which I admit I wasn't very excited about. A) I am not religious at all B) I've been in a really bad mood the past day and a bit. So spending a day with my extended family, who are conservative and religious, (but I love despite our difference in views), didn't really appeal to me.

So, when I got there, I greeted people, then sat on the couch and listened to people talk, getting more bored as I went. I didn't have anything to say to any of the conversations around me - they were all talking about babies, or engineering, or welding, or farming. None of which I can have a real discussion about. So, I sat there. Whining on Twitter.

After dinner, I decided to drive back to mom and dads, where at least, I would have my laptop. So I started to make the "goodbye" rounds. I went to my Uncle Dave first, who I hadn't spoken to at all, and had never really identified with. I told him I was leaving to which he said, "Sit down and tell me about your life before you go!"

Which I did. Gladly. And he was so interested! He wasn't like the others, who were very much gave the judgy eyes to me whenever they questioned me about what I was doing/what I wanted to do. They tried to act interested, but nothing quite hit like Uncle Dave. Things like, "Even from an outsider perspective, this sounds so interesting!" and "I'll continue to think of you and wish you luck!" Like...wow, Uncle Dave. Wow. He absolutely turned my day around, and it's so nice to actually have a family member actively rooting for me, and telling me that they're actively rooting for me.

Updatey Thing

2012-04-06T20:14:00.001-06:00

Well. It's been a really long time since I updated. Over a month. March just absolutely flew by, and I didn't realize that it was gone, before it was gone. Not to mention that my blog is still really not on the forefront of my mind. So I decided tonight that I am going to to do Blog A Lot In April. It may end up being BEDA, minus the first few days I've missed, but who knows.

Since I last updated, I haven't found much more balance between IRL and Internet. I've resigned from the HPA, I don't Tumbl like I used to, and I'm hardly on Skype. I do Tweet a lot, but...it's not quite the same.

I am, surprisingly, not regretting my decision to resign from the HPA. It's really hard to admit that even to myself, let alone write it out in a public forum where anyone can read it, but it's true. It's let me focus on myself more, which I needed. I still miss the staff like crazy, but it was the right decision. Until I get in a better mental state, I need to keep focusing on me.

I've also been spending a bit more time with friends outside of the theatre program, which has been nice. Tensions have been high within my class for a while, I think we're all getting a little sick of each other. But even so...I just worked what could possibly be my last ever main stage show with my classmates, and it's really bittersweet. I'm glad it's done, but it's weird to think that I may never ever work on Mainstage again. It's been like a second (or rather, third) home for me the past two years. I stage managed my first show there. I designed my first show there. Hell, I worked my first show there.

A lot of these type of thoughts are going through my mind right now as school is wrapping up. It's weird to think that in a few short weeks, I will no longer be spending endless hours in 222 working on projects. I will no longer spend hours in the shop working, or just hanging out. I won't be able to just wander into Carrie or Nancy's office to see how they're doing. It's...sad. And weird.

I haven't heard back from the U of A or U Vic yet re: design school. Did I write about that yet? I don't know. But I have applied to both schools for the Theatre Design programs. I think I should hear back in the next couple of weeks. *fingers crossed*

Speaking of design, I'm currently designing the set/costumes/lights for "Waiting" by Ethan Coen for Carrie's design class. It's awesome, but I am procrastinating so hard on it. Like I said, little to no motivation. This week I have to get something done on it. (I'm writing it down so hopefully it'll happen....)

So...that's this updatey thing! I will have a real blog post tomorrow.

IRL vs Online

2012-02-28T22:47:00.001-07:00

I have had a really difficult time balancing my IRL and online lives lately. It seems like I can either focus on my IRL life - school, friends, boyfriend, etc. - or my online life - HPA, friends, etc - and it sucks. I want them both to be part of my life, equal parts. I'm just finding it so difficult to do! I seem to still be in "Twelfth Night" mode, where I basically ignore everything internet related. I don't want to, it just isn't on my radar anymore, and I hate it. I hate that I no longer have the urge to check my HPA email twenty times a day, or that watching YouTube videos no longer has the thrill it did. I hate that Tumbling, Tweeting and blogging are at the back of my mind. I want all of that back. But I like where I'm heading in my IRL life, so I don't want to cut anything back.

Most of all, I think it's my friends that I miss the most. Room 1725, and the HPA staff. I miss them like crazy. It's so hard to keep in touch when my priorities are school, and not checking the internet/twitter/email/whatever regularly. But they're so important to me. Some of my best friends are from Nerdfighteria.

I think what I'm trying to say here, is that I need more balance. Balance between the internet and the real world, balance between mental, spiritual and my physical needs, all of that. I've been feeling really out of whack in general lately, so I think that would help. I'm just not sure how or what I need to do.

Adulthood

2012-02-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to write a blog post the past few days, but I've come up short. I don't know what to write about, in both fiction and non-fiction. I suppose I'm in a bit of a dry spell, sort of creatively tapped. I want to change that - do the whole "force myself to write" thing. Let's see how it goes.

Today I went downtown for lunch with Emily. We ate at Cafe Pichlingue, which has yumy food and a cute interior, but the owner is a little...unreceptive. However, it was past the lunch hour, so the cafe was quiet. We had the place mostly to ourselves for the larger part of our time there. It was great - it felt less like a public place, more intimate. We talked a lot about what we joked after were very "adult" topics - apartments, jobs, university, our relationships. My conversation with Emily made me realize something, something that I have been realizing more and more this week - I am an adult. I realize that this probably sounds ridiculous because I am an adult, and have been a legal adult for three years now. It just didn't feel like an adult. Sure, I moved away from home, went to college, started making a life for myself. But I didn't feel like a real adult. I just felt...like me. But now, it's different. I don't know what exactly is different about this week, maybe it's the end of the school year looming, maybe it's the fact that I am in a committed relationship for the first time ever, maybe it's the fact that Dylan and I don't know where either of us will end up come September. Maybe it's the fact that we have been toying with the idea of moving in together in September, which, quite frankly, is kind of scary. Maybe it's a combination of all of those.

But my point in this post isn't to throw all of my fears out onto the internet. It's just a musing, a musing as to why all of a sudden life feels more adult. And what does that even mean? My life before was certainly "adult" - I had responsibilities that I fulfilled, I paid bills, I ran a successful theatre production, etc. It's strange that now, suddenly, I feel like an adult more than I did before.

The Fault In Our Stars

2012-01-12T08:54:00.001-07:00

"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves."

I woke up on January 10 feeling normal - much calmer than the night previous when I had a minor breakdown after calculating how much it would cost to get me to LeakyCon this year, and said number being far too large for me to obtain. Then I checked Twitter. And I realized with more excitement than I can quite convey here that January 10 was TFIOS Day. The more I read tweets from Nerdfighteria exploding with excitement, the more excited I got. I checked my Amazon order, and realizing that it wouldn't be shipped unti January 19, cancelled the order and decided to go get my copy at my local Chapters. After class, of course.

Which mean that I had to sit through class, nearly bouncing with excitement, until I could go get my beautiful green j-scribbled copy of The Fault in Our Stars. I started reading it that night, and devoured it. I took it to school and read it during my free time. I stayed up until 1:30 last night finishing the book.

I loved the book right from the start. It has John's typical flair to it - fun writing, quirky characters - so I just ate it up. I loved Hazel and how she looked at the world. I loved Augustus Water's constant metaphors. I loved their interactions. I even grew to love Isaac and Lidewij. I cursed at Van Houten (right in the middle of the Arts Centre hallway, mind you). I fell in love with Hazel and Gus' Amsterdam. But nothing affected me more than the ending. I have never weeped more openly, or felt more pain, from a book. Not even Harry Potter. I was just sad during Harry Potter. In The Fault in Our Stars, I felt Hazel's distraught. I put myself in her position. I can honestly say I have never identified that closely with a character, or felt what they were feeling that strongly. During the last 100 pages or so, I texted my boyfriend "I love you" repeatedly because I just couldn't stand what was happening. It was both amazing and horrifying, and kudos to John Green for being able to put that emotion into Hazel and her story.

Even with the distraught, I would read The Fault in Our Stars again in a heartbeat. John's writing has a way of capturing me that no one else's does, he pulls me right in, and I can't wait to reread The Fault in Our Stars (after I finish some other books in my ever-growing pile of "to read" books).

Tom Freaking Felton

2012-01-05T17:05:00.003-07:00

It's no secret that I have a huge fangirl crush on Tom Felton, and have had for quite a while now. (I mean, come on, he was the entire reason I got a Twitter account in the first place.) So, naturally, when the Calgary Entertainment and Comic Expo announced that Tom would be attending this year's event, I freaked. Actually freaked. Flailing, screaming, shaking arms freaked. It's a good thing my classmates all know how big of a Harry Potter fan I am, otherwise they would think I am totally mad. (Well, they might think that already but...no more than I am already. Right?) See, they got to witness my flailing, screaming self when I discovered the glorious glorious news. Right in the middle of the scene shop. Mocking ensued, but I honestly heard none of it. I was tweeting, facebooking and texting everyone I knew that would care about the good news. (Well, Dylan had to text Kayla for me. I was unable to hit the buttons at that point because I was shaking so badly.)

AJSKLHFAUWBGW I AM GOING TO GET TO MEET TOM FELTON. AOIHAWGOINAWG

New Years

2012-01-04T12:40:00.004-07:00

I had a whole year-in-review post written and I thought I had published it, but apparently Blogger glitched and only up to March got published. So, there is that. I'll rewrite it later, but right now, my goal is to talk about New Years.

I don't usually do anything for New Years. I usually spend it on my parents farm, watching movies with my dad (my mom, who works very early in the mornings, is usually in bed by that time.) But this time, I was back in Red Deer, so I spent it with my dearest friends.

Ben, Dylan and Matt hosted the "party" at their townhouse on campus. We had a potluck - Ben cooked a ham, which was amazing and completely took me by surprise, and mashed potatoes and roasted veggies, and there was a really delicious casserole and cheesecake and it was just wonderful. It hit me how much more like an adult it made me feel. A potluck is a very adult thing to have, no?

After dinner, we all headed down to their basement to watch movies. The new Start Trek was already playing, so we finished that, and watched some Arrested Development and a few episodes of The Office and Community.

Ben suggested Monopoly, so Lauren, Dylan, Ben and I crowded around the kitchen table. Dylan has Nintendo Monopoly, which was awesome. I took the lead early, buying about half a dozen properties in the first few rounds, but my lead didn't last long. There was one point when I was down to $36. But thanks to Dylan's generosity (aka giving me money to buy hotels to stop Ben, who was kicking all of our butts, from winning) and mortgaging a few properties, I got back into the game, and ended up winning, thanks to the hotels on my properties.

It was only about 8:00 by this point, though it felt ore like 11:00. We retreated back downstairs and continued to peruse Netflix. Until it was decided we would watch Attack of the Clones. Well, I can say I had never watched Star Wars that way before. There wasn't a horribly written/delivered line that we didn't ridicule, or a ridiculous filming choice that we didn't laugh at. It was quite brilliant, actually.

Midnight came with a chorus "Happy New Years!" (and a New Years kiss) and then we settled back into Star Wars.

Really, it wasn't that much different from any other time my friends and I hang out. It just included some wine, and a potluck. It was definitely my best New Years celebration yet.

Secret Santa!!

2011-12-18T20:14:00.003-07:00

An owl plushie, Christmas candy, mix CD
and 11's Sonic Screwdriver!

I got my HPA Secret Santa gift in the mail today, and it made my day. Getting things that aren't bills in the mail makes me happy normally, so to find out that it was a) from a wizard b) all nerdy stuff and c) for Christmas made me the absolute happiest of pandas! Not to mention that it is from one of the greatest people in the world, miss Eileen Smith. Words can't explain how much I adore her. <3

SONIC SCREWDRIVER!

On PayPal

2011-12-06T10:47:00.001-07:00

Last night/this morning, the online Harry Potter fandom kind of exploded over this article. Basically, what happened, is Regretsy was collecting money so that they could send gifts to kids in need. They collected the donations through the PayPal donate button, and PayPal ended up freezing their account for reasons that don't make very much sense. (Such as "what you're doing is not a worthy cause, it's a charity" therefore they can't use the "Donate" button. Uhm.)

The Potter fandom kind of went BOOM! and people are talking about boycotting PayPal by closing their accounts. While I am thrilled that we as a community are so passionate about doing right, I don't think cutting off all connections with PayPal is the right answer. There are shops online that you can only use PayPal through - such as Etsy. If you cut off your PayPal, you would no longer be able to support the independent artists on Etsy, which I for one am not willing to do. Some of those people may only use their crafting as their income, and I for one am more than happy to support them, even if it does mean using PayPal.

Yes, I agree that we should fight for change. Yes, I agree that we should cut PayPal out where we can, but because they have such a huge stronghold, it's difficult. So I am going to be cutting PayPal out where I can, and where I can't, I am going to send emails, asking for the website (such as Etsy, or DFTBA records) to find a new way for their customers to purchase merchandise. If there is enough demand, they'll want to change.

Toad of Toad Hall & Procrastination

2011-11-29T21:50:00.000-07:00

It has been over a month since I last posted. I promise it isn't just because I've been lazy. I've actually been insanely busy, and haven't even thought about blogging.

The reason? Toad of Toad Hall, RDC's latest production. I was the Design Assistant, so I was just a little bit busy. But loving it so very very much. Sure, there were times I wanted to tear my hair out, but you know what? It's so worth it. It's definitely one of the projects where the joys outweigh everything else by about a million.

I'm currently working on university applications. Specifically for UVic. I am so not used to writing essays anymore. Or writing anything, really. I really do think I want to start writing Alchemy again. I also realllly want to start crafting. And eventually open up an etsy shop. I just don't know what kind of crafts to do. I think I'm going to see if I can't find some crafting blogs to follow. Anyone have any suggestions?

Anyway, that's me right now. I've got a bit of a lull between show and strike, so I have some time, which is both nice and horrid. I should be getting so much more accomplished. I have found myself procrastinating far too much. (Hence, the blog.)

Announcement!

2011-10-23T08:52:00.001-06:00

I have decided something. I am going to resign from No New Stuff. I have done it for the past three-ish months, and I only cheated once, which I think is good. I don't have the desire to buy stuff like I used to, and I just don't really see the point of it anymore. I think it was a great experiment, and very useful. I just don't think it's useful anymore. Especially because I haven't been updating this to keep track of my progress. I know my progress. I haven't broken my rules - I don't want to break my rules. *shrug*

(And yes, I know, I still haven't written the review for Lola. *facepalm* It's mostly typed out, I just need to edit it and make it make sense to more people than just me. SOON. I promise!)

Happy 6 Years HPA!

2011-10-11T22:58:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, October 20, 2011, was the HPA's 6th birthday! Wowee! I can't believe that last year so many staffers were gathering to celebrate 5 years in Boston. I can't believe all that I've done in the past year and a bit that I've been on staff, and how much I've changed and just started to love more. I can't believe the friends I made and the memories I made and all the good we have done because of this beloved organization. I can not imagine my life without the HPA and the amazing, amazing people involved.

So HPA, happy birthday. Have a slice of cake on my tonight. And here's to another six years!

(PS: school is crazy, which is why I haven't been keeping up with No New Stuff bogs. But I haven't purchased anything that I didn't need for school! So I'm still going good! But oh man, I want the Lion King so bad. I sure hope I get it for Christmas.)

(PPS: Look for a review of "Lola and the Boy Next Door" soon. In the mean time, take some advice, READ IT, IT'S AMAZING.)

2011-10-03T17:25:00.000-06:00

I have been failing so hard at keeping up with blogging. I have been up to my eyebrows in school work the past week, plus I worked on stage for Alberta Arts Days all weekend and I just feel overwhelmed right now. But that could have something to do with the fact that we found out today we can only sign 1 year leases for our apartment, when we were under the impression we could sign a shorter one. So now I'm feeling slightly trapped. This is so very inconvenient, especially seems as I'm playing with the idea of moving to Victoria for design school next year. (I have three options running through my head: UVic for Design, U of A for Design or RDC for MPA. I'm going to apply to all three and see what happens, I think. Put off the decision for as long as I can.)

But No New Stuff is going well. I haven't broken any rules in the past week, so yay for that!

School school school school school

2011-09-24T08:38:00.001-06:00

School has been so busy this week, but a good busy. It hasn't quite gotten to the point of me wanting to tear my eyes out yet. XD Today I'm doing my very first ever stage call that isn't theatre-related. I'm rather scared, tbh. I'm working on stage for the first part of the call (which I *think* is striking last nights show and setting up for the Symphony today.) and then shadowing Sui-Fan at the sound board for the show itself. Nervous Jodi is nervous. Oh fear of new things/failing, you are so lovely.

I've really only been able to think about school the past week, so that's pretty much what this post will be about. I didn't work on Toad much this week because we got all of the drafting in to Ian (who is the Technical Director), so Carrie told me to take some time if I needed to do other work. Which is what I've been doing. Lots of painting. We had to paint a pub sign for scenic painting class, and I created (of course) The Three Broomsticks. Sort of. It's actually The Three Brooms because I made the lettering too big, but I decided that it was the sister pub to the Three Broomsticks, and it was in Diagon Alley instead of Hogsmeade.

We learned how to do bricks yesterday. I finished that last night, and we can put graffiti on it for extra credit, so we'll see if I have time for that. I'm probably going to put "Bad Wolf" on it. #nerdlife

I'm also in the process of making two carnivale masks for my mask intensive. I'm so excited. I'll post pics when they're done.

Oh, and as for no new stuff - I haven't bought any new stuff. Whoooooo. Winning!

EDIT: I'm Stage Manager for Twelfth Night!!!!!!!