I'm back...

I'm sorry. That's all I can say. I know how pathetic it is that I haven't blogged for a month, and I wish I'd kept up. But college really is an insane time. The ridiculous amounts of homework, the stress of trying to make new friends and make yourself at home in a new environment, the strange new teachers (and I do mean STRANGE, guys, I assure you), and above all else, the fact that your future is at stake constantly hanging over your head.

So, I'm nineteen years old today. I wish I could write something awesome and profound and beautiful...but that just wouldn't be my style. Instead I'll update everyone on my current obsessions:

1. NaNoWriMo

This is my November obsession. This year, I'm determined to finish--and I'm actually doing surprisingly well. Yes, I know it's silly, but I love writing, and I've never actually finished a novel before, and this seems like too much fun to miss. Ignore my beatnik silliness--or let it inspire you, why not? I still say next year, EVERYONE should do NaNoWriMo.

2. Cloud Cult

Okay, so it's no secret that I like Augustana, right? Well, if you like Augustana, you will rapidly, easily get addicted to Cloud Cult. Their songs are, quite literally, epic. And by epic, I mean beautiful, melodic, soaring, poetic, and heroic. They're like a gentler version of Jim Steinman and Meatloaf. Look up any of their songs on YouTube (my introduction to them was "There's So Much Energy in Us," so I'd recommend you start there), and you will see why I love them so much.

3. Criminal Minds

Yeah. I am in love with this show, and I don't care who knows it. How can I not be, when there's a character like Spencer Reid involved? And let's not forget the ever-yummy Shemar Moore as Derek Morgan...I mean, okay, yes, I mostly do watch the show for the amazing direction, epic storylines, beautiful framing and lighting, and impeccable dialogue, but...really, a girl has eyes, you know? ;)

4. A Clockwork Orange

This movie is absolutely beautiful beyond words. I am completely in love with Alex DeLarge, and no, it's not just because an absolutely gorgeous actor plays him. It's because there has never been a character in cinema, except maybe Hannibal Lecter, who is so utterly compelling that you can't help but root for him even as you watch him rape a writer's wife, kill a cat-lover, and push his best friends into a river.

5. Goat cheese

I don't know what it is about this stuff, but it's bloody addictive. I've put it on everything--salad, pizza, even toast (which was actually really good, just in case you want to try it). It's salty, it's crumbly, it's highly flavorful, and you feel so much more sophisticated eating it than you do eating regular cheese. I don't know why that is (the bit about the sophistication, I mean) but I swear that's what happens. Try it, if you don't believe me.

6. Italy

Possibly because I'll be going there in less than two months, you think? Yeah, I'd say. But hey, if you were offered the opportunity to go around Southern Italy and Sicily and do nothing but take pictures for ten days, you would go, wouldn't you? I'd hope so. You can't imagine how much it means to me--a geeky little cinema nerd who has never left her own country, unless you count driving 45 minutes to get to Canada--to be able to go overseas and be douchey and artistic AND GET SCHOOL CREDIT FOR IT. Honestly...welcome to liberal arts school, folks.

7. CalArts

I NEED to go to this school. Maybe I'll transfer, or maybe I'll just wait until grad school, but either way, I HAVE TO STUDY THERE...I mean...TIM BURTON studied there, for heaven's sake...as did about three-fourths of the Pixar team. And yes, I know it's in the dreaded California, and I know that I made a big deal about wanting to go to the east coast for a few years first, and hey, maybe I'll still do that...but I know that if I'm going to get anywhere in this industry, I HAVE to go to CalArts. End of story.

8. Daniel Radcliffe

My Dan addiction has flared up big-time as of late. Why? I have no idea. I could blame the fact that this time of year, Harry Potter is on every bloody family channel in America, cited as part of a "holiday celebration"...why, exactly? What does Harry Potter have to do with Thanksgiving or Christmas, or don't I want to know? Anyway, I don't particularly care why my must-have-Radcliffe-itis is flaring up again. I just know that it is, and it can only be satisfied by reading and watching every interview I can possibly find.

9. Wedding dresses

Yes, you read that right. I don't know why, but I swear my internet history must be 50% David's Bridal at this point. I have no immediate plans to get married, nor am I writing out any wedding scenes in my NaNo novel, but for some reason I just keep going back and staring at the pretty dresses. I've always loved the Cinderella ballgown and its modern sisters, but really, this is just getting ridiculous.

10. The MPAA

I'll rant in greater detail about my contempt for the ratings system later. For now, everyone should just know that the subject of my NaNo novel is about a grad-school student who challenges the MPAA. Is this wise for me to admit, being a film student? Probably not. No, definitely not. Pretend I never said anything. Just go watch This Film is Not Yet Rated--Kirby Dick says it much better than I ever could.