Well, it's been nearly a month since my last post, so I suppose it's time for an update, eh?
It's been an interesting month, to be completely honest. I haven't gone home since the end of January (which is a first. I usually go home about once a month). Being at school for over a month straight has its perks: I get to see my residents more (not that I don't anyway), it forces me to study more than I would if I was home, and it's just easy to be in the right place at the right time if I need to get something done.
Life is pretty great, too. I've got amazing friends and classes are going really well this semester (heck, I've got straight As for the first time since who knows when). Last semester, I tried to be the perfect CA: always willing to help, have awesome programs, and be there anytime for anyone. It nearly killed me. Sure, I passed all of my classes, but I could have done better. I realized this semester that I needed to make time for myself somewhere in the mix. Whether it's just taking a much-needed nap (even if they do get interrupted by residents) or taking a night to just relax and make a plan for the week ahead, it really helps.
In somewhat related news, I've also had 2 interviews for potential summer jobs/internships. My first was the HR internship through UPMC, and the second was through CalU's Upward Bound program. I haven't heard back from either yet. I've also been sending letters asking about internships, but so far, I've got nothing. I also attended a mock networking reception, which was really awesome.
And now for something completely different... I'm going to California! Not the little one where I currently live, but the west coast California. My mom finally broke down and decided she'd let her daughter go. I'm beyond excited. I haven't been out there in nearly 7 years, and it feels like I haven't seen family there in just as long.
Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to see LA as I had hoped, but Santa Barbara (where I'm headed) is absolutely gorgeous. The weather there is my definition of perfect: between 65 and 75 every day, hardly any (if any at all) humidity, and the ocean breeze complements it perfectly. (Although I do have a 3 hour layover in LAX en route to Santa Barbara, and my friend wants me to ask random airport workers where the boarding for Oceanic Airways is... I might just wind up looking for celebrities.)
I might get to check out San Luis Obispo, which is about 1 hour and 45 minutes north of SB. Of course, there's the beach, hiking, and that sort of stuff... But there's also whale watching, the Morro Bay estuary, and more. I'm also hoping to check out the winery where my aunt works one day when I'm out there. Not to drink, mind you, but just to check it out. Part of the movie Sideways was filmed there, in fact.
Hopefully my next update won't be posted a month after this one... But life's always a little crazy, so only time will tell.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Music is my Constant
Watching the Grammys tonight made me realize how much music is a part of my life. For as long as I can remember, my parents almost always had music on in the house when I was growing up; be it James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, The Allman Brothers, etc.
I got my first CD, Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 2, when I was 7 or 8. It was then I was introduced to more pop music (it had songs on it like “I’ll Never Break Your Heart,” “Boogie Shoes,” “The Saga Begins,” and others). I also slowly started listening to other things then, like Weird Al Yankovic. Eventually, I also got volume 4 of the RDJ (it’s funny how many of these songs I can still find on my iTunes today, nearly 10 years later, like Eiffel 65’s “Blue,” Hoku’s “Perfect Day,” and the Baha Men’s “Who Woke Snow White Up?”).
Music has always been a constant in my life, even if my music taste has changed. It's been my rock when I didn't want to talk to anyone (pun somewhat intended). It puts a smile on my face. It makes me laugh, cry, and some other emotion in between. I can't imagine life without music.
My first concert was when I was 16. I can remember the show like it was yesterday: Jefferson Airplane, Country Joe McDonald, and Tom Constanten (from the Grateful Dead). It was at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg. My dad had picked me up from my cousin's where I had stayed the night before. We arrived pretty early, so we went to get dinner beforehand. On the way back from dinner, we passed the tour bus. While none of the members were on board, it was still pretty amazing to be close enough that I could run my finger along the dust it had collected from who knows how many miles of travel.
In the years since that show, I have seen more shows. I've seen Styx, Foreigner, Kansas, Def Leppard, REO Speedwagon, David Cook, Green River Ordinance, and a few other obscure artists not many people have heard of. Except for two of these shows, every one has been with my dad. I'm really fortunate to have such a close relationship with him. He and I are similar in a lot of ways (it's sort of funny, but obvious), and these concerts are some of my favorite memories, be it my first concert or the most recent one where we both got memorbilia (for free!).
I have an incredible range of music in my iTunes collection, ranging from Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Giacchino to Metallica and Apocalyptica to U2 and Fleetwood Mac. Each and every one of the 2500+ songs in my collection has some meaning, memory, or person attached to it that I think of every time I hear it. Some make me laugh, some bring back sad memories, and others just defy any sort of discernible explanation. I guess it’s just one of those things that you keep to yourself because you don’t want to come across as a fool, but you want to tell that one person. The one who you’ll tell anything; even those things you never thought you’d entrust to another person. Those are the secrets that are begging to be released, freed, expunged... But that's a story in and of itself that's saved for another day. Another time.
I got my first CD, Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 2, when I was 7 or 8. It was then I was introduced to more pop music (it had songs on it like “I’ll Never Break Your Heart,” “Boogie Shoes,” “The Saga Begins,” and others). I also slowly started listening to other things then, like Weird Al Yankovic. Eventually, I also got volume 4 of the RDJ (it’s funny how many of these songs I can still find on my iTunes today, nearly 10 years later, like Eiffel 65’s “Blue,” Hoku’s “Perfect Day,” and the Baha Men’s “Who Woke Snow White Up?”).
Music has always been a constant in my life, even if my music taste has changed. It's been my rock when I didn't want to talk to anyone (pun somewhat intended). It puts a smile on my face. It makes me laugh, cry, and some other emotion in between. I can't imagine life without music.
My first concert was when I was 16. I can remember the show like it was yesterday: Jefferson Airplane, Country Joe McDonald, and Tom Constanten (from the Grateful Dead). It was at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg. My dad had picked me up from my cousin's where I had stayed the night before. We arrived pretty early, so we went to get dinner beforehand. On the way back from dinner, we passed the tour bus. While none of the members were on board, it was still pretty amazing to be close enough that I could run my finger along the dust it had collected from who knows how many miles of travel.
In the years since that show, I have seen more shows. I've seen Styx, Foreigner, Kansas, Def Leppard, REO Speedwagon, David Cook, Green River Ordinance, and a few other obscure artists not many people have heard of. Except for two of these shows, every one has been with my dad. I'm really fortunate to have such a close relationship with him. He and I are similar in a lot of ways (it's sort of funny, but obvious), and these concerts are some of my favorite memories, be it my first concert or the most recent one where we both got memorbilia (for free!).
I have an incredible range of music in my iTunes collection, ranging from Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Giacchino to Metallica and Apocalyptica to U2 and Fleetwood Mac. Each and every one of the 2500+ songs in my collection has some meaning, memory, or person attached to it that I think of every time I hear it. Some make me laugh, some bring back sad memories, and others just defy any sort of discernible explanation. I guess it’s just one of those things that you keep to yourself because you don’t want to come across as a fool, but you want to tell that one person. The one who you’ll tell anything; even those things you never thought you’d entrust to another person. Those are the secrets that are begging to be released, freed, expunged... But that's a story in and of itself that's saved for another day. Another time.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Update on life and other musings...
Well, I suppose it's time for a "what's happening in Cary's life?" post because it seems like a lot of my posts are award show rants/raves. (Granted, the Oscar nominations went live today and the Grammy awards are on February 8, but those are two future blog entries)
Anyhow... So far in the time that I've been back to school for CA training and the start of the semester, I really can't complain too much. My neighbors are being quieter this semester, which is great for me and the residents on the other side. I'm keeping my head above water, though sometimes I need a life preserver.
My classes are pretty awesome. Only one class a day except Mondays (oh, the joys of a night class) and two online classes (one of which is a late start class anyway). My 400 level capstone class is a lot of reading, but it's a pretty sweet class. And having friends in it is always a plus.
I have 2 400-level classes, 2 200-level, and 1 100-level. I still can't believe that I'm already a college junior, and only need 4 more classes for my major. Admittedly, it is a little scary. I have ideas of what I'd like to do after graduation next year, but those ideas change weekly. I would love to go to grad school... But I don't know what I want to study (or where, for that matter). Money, location, and the program are all things to consider. Do I want to go into Human Resources? Should I get an MBA? Am I willing to relocate completely? How far should I go? Would I be guaranteed a TA or GA position to help fund my education? What about housing if I go somewhere not close to home?
I've also applied for an internship through UPMC Health Systems in Human Resources, but I haven't heard back from anyone regarding that. I also picked up an Upward Bound application today. Don't get me wrong, I love my seasonal job at OfficeMax (and they've told me they'll take me back a third time), but I'd like to experience something new (and possibly relevant to my future career, whatever that may be).
I suppose only time will tell at this point... I'm just hoping that something, somewhere along the line will pop up, a lightbulb will flash, and I'll know that that something is exactly what I want to do.
Anyhow... So far in the time that I've been back to school for CA training and the start of the semester, I really can't complain too much. My neighbors are being quieter this semester, which is great for me and the residents on the other side. I'm keeping my head above water, though sometimes I need a life preserver.
My classes are pretty awesome. Only one class a day except Mondays (oh, the joys of a night class) and two online classes (one of which is a late start class anyway). My 400 level capstone class is a lot of reading, but it's a pretty sweet class. And having friends in it is always a plus.
I have 2 400-level classes, 2 200-level, and 1 100-level. I still can't believe that I'm already a college junior, and only need 4 more classes for my major. Admittedly, it is a little scary. I have ideas of what I'd like to do after graduation next year, but those ideas change weekly. I would love to go to grad school... But I don't know what I want to study (or where, for that matter). Money, location, and the program are all things to consider. Do I want to go into Human Resources? Should I get an MBA? Am I willing to relocate completely? How far should I go? Would I be guaranteed a TA or GA position to help fund my education? What about housing if I go somewhere not close to home?
I've also applied for an internship through UPMC Health Systems in Human Resources, but I haven't heard back from anyone regarding that. I also picked up an Upward Bound application today. Don't get me wrong, I love my seasonal job at OfficeMax (and they've told me they'll take me back a third time), but I'd like to experience something new (and possibly relevant to my future career, whatever that may be).
I suppose only time will tell at this point... I'm just hoping that something, somewhere along the line will pop up, a lightbulb will flash, and I'll know that that something is exactly what I want to do.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The 68th Golden Globe Awards, Part Deux
And so the awards season begins...
Admittedly, now that I've heard a TON about The King Speech, I would have picked it for some of the awards, but live and learn.
[If I picked a winner for a category, either a "my winner prediction" or a "who I want to win," then I made the heading a bolded purple, just for shiggles.]
Best Motion Picture [Drama]
My winner prediction | Inception
Who I want to win | Inception
Winner | The Social Network
[Pardon my French, but what the fuck happened?!]
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture [Drama]
My winner prediction | Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Who I want to win | Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Winner | Natalie Portman, The Black Swan
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture [Drama]
My winner prediction | Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Who I want to win | Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Winner | Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Best Motion Picture [Comedy or Musical]
My winner prediction | Alice in Wonderland
Who I want to win | Alice in Wonderland
Winner | The Kids are All Right
[I really, really would like to see this movie now]
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture [Comedy or Musical]
My winner prediction | Angelina Jolie, The Tourist
Who I want to win | Emma Stone, Easy A
Winner | Annette Bening, The Kids are All Right
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture [Comedy or Musical]
My winner prediction | Jake Gyllenhaal, Love and Other Drugs
Who I want to win | Jake Gyllenhaal, Love and Other Drugs
Winner | Paul Giamatti, Barney's Version
Best Animated Picture
My winner prediction | Toy Story 3
Who I want to win | Toy Story 3
Winner | Toy Story 3
Best Foreign Language Film
I haven't seen any of these, nor heard of any of them, so I have no predictions/want to see winner for this category. Though I feel the Millennium trilogy got robbed here. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was brilliant. Noomi Rapace and Michael Nyqvist got robbed as well.
Winner | In a Better World [Denmark]
Note: I've since learned that because The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was released in 2009, it wasn't eligible to win/be nominated.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
My winner prediction | Amy Adams, The Fighter
Who I want to win | Amy Adams, The Fighter
Winner | Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
My winner prediction | Andrew Garfield, The Social Network
Who I want to win | Andrew Garfield, The Social Network
Winner | Christian Bale, The Fighter
Best Director - Motion Picture
My winner prediction | Christopher Nolan, Inception
Who I want to win | Christopher Nolan, Inception
Winner | David Fincher, The Social Network
Best Screenplay [Motion Picture]
My winner prediction | Christopher Nolan, Inception
Who I want to win | Christopher Nolan, Inception
Winner | Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Best Original Score [Motion Picture]
My winner prediction | Hans Zimmer, Inception -or- Danny Elfman, Alice in Wonderland
Who I want to win | Hans Zimmer, Inception
Winner | Trent Reznor, The Social Network
Best Original Song [Motion Picture]
I haven't seen any of these, so I have no predictions/want to see winner for this category.
Winner | "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me," from Burlesque
Best Television Series [Drama]
My winner prediction | The Walking Dead -or- Mad Men
Who I want to win | The Walking Dead
Winner | Boardwalk Empire
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series [Drama]
My winner prediction | Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Who I want to win | Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Winner | Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series [Drama]
My winner prediction | Bryan Cranston, Mad Men
Who I want to win | Hugh Laurie, House
Winner | Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Best Television Series [Comedy or Musical]
My winner prediction | The Big Bang Theory
Who I want to win | The Big Bang Theory
Winner | Glee
The Big Bang Theory > Glee
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series [Comedy or Musical]
My winner prediction | Toni Collette, United States of Tara
Who I want to win | Toni Collete, United States of Tara
Winner | Laura Linney, The Big C
[Also, RIP Romulus Linney]
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series [Comedy or Musical]
My winner prediction | Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Who I want to win | Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Winner | Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Best Mini Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
My winner prediction | You Don't Know Jack
Who I want to win | Temple Grandin
Winner | Carlos
Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
My winner prediction | Claire Danes, Temple Grandin
Who I want to win | Claire Danes, Temple Grandin
Winner | Claire Danes, Temple Grandin
Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
My winner prediction | Al Pacino, You Don't Know Jack
Who I want to win | Al Pacino, You Don't Know Jack
Winner | Al Pacino, You Don't Know Jack
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television
My winner prediction | Jane Lynch, Glee
Who I want to win | Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Winner | Jane Lynch, Glee
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television
My winner prediction | Scott Caan, Hawaii 5-O
Who I want to win | Chris Colfer, Glee
Winner | Chris Colfer, Glee
And, of course, some favorite quotes from the night
Ricky Gervais
- "It's going to be a night of partying and heavy drinking. Or, as Charlie Sheen calls it, breakfast."
- "I'm not sure if I totally understood the season finale [of Lost], but I'm pretty sure the fat one ate them all."
John Lassiter
- "Were you two even born when the first Toy Story came out?"
Steve Carrell
- "There's also the story of King George V-I."
Jim Parsons
- "The writers, my writers, how crass."
Oh, and one last thing: INCEPTION. GOT. ROBBED.
Admittedly, now that I've heard a TON about The King Speech, I would have picked it for some of the awards, but live and learn.
[If I picked a winner for a category, either a "my winner prediction" or a "who I want to win," then I made the heading a bolded purple, just for shiggles.]
Best Motion Picture [Drama]
My winner prediction | Inception
Who I want to win | Inception
Winner | The Social Network
[Pardon my French, but what the fuck happened?!]
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture [Drama]
My winner prediction | Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Who I want to win | Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Winner | Natalie Portman, The Black Swan
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture [Drama]
My winner prediction | Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Who I want to win | Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Winner | Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Best Motion Picture [Comedy or Musical]
My winner prediction | Alice in Wonderland
Who I want to win | Alice in Wonderland
Winner | The Kids are All Right
[I really, really would like to see this movie now]
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture [Comedy or Musical]
My winner prediction | Angelina Jolie, The Tourist
Who I want to win | Emma Stone, Easy A
Winner | Annette Bening, The Kids are All Right
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture [Comedy or Musical]
My winner prediction | Jake Gyllenhaal, Love and Other Drugs
Who I want to win | Jake Gyllenhaal, Love and Other Drugs
Winner | Paul Giamatti, Barney's Version
Best Animated Picture
My winner prediction | Toy Story 3
Who I want to win | Toy Story 3
Winner | Toy Story 3
Best Foreign Language Film
I haven't seen any of these, nor heard of any of them, so I have no predictions/want to see winner for this category. Though I feel the Millennium trilogy got robbed here. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was brilliant. Noomi Rapace and Michael Nyqvist got robbed as well.
Winner | In a Better World [Denmark]
Note: I've since learned that because The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was released in 2009, it wasn't eligible to win/be nominated.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
My winner prediction | Amy Adams, The Fighter
Who I want to win | Amy Adams, The Fighter
Winner | Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
My winner prediction | Andrew Garfield, The Social Network
Who I want to win | Andrew Garfield, The Social Network
Winner | Christian Bale, The Fighter
Best Director - Motion Picture
My winner prediction | Christopher Nolan, Inception
Who I want to win | Christopher Nolan, Inception
Winner | David Fincher, The Social Network
Best Screenplay [Motion Picture]
My winner prediction | Christopher Nolan, Inception
Who I want to win | Christopher Nolan, Inception
Winner | Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Best Original Score [Motion Picture]
My winner prediction | Hans Zimmer, Inception -or- Danny Elfman, Alice in Wonderland
Who I want to win | Hans Zimmer, Inception
Winner | Trent Reznor, The Social Network
Best Original Song [Motion Picture]
I haven't seen any of these, so I have no predictions/want to see winner for this category.
Winner | "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me," from Burlesque
Best Television Series [Drama]
My winner prediction | The Walking Dead -or- Mad Men
Who I want to win | The Walking Dead
Winner | Boardwalk Empire
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series [Drama]
My winner prediction | Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Who I want to win | Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Winner | Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series [Drama]
My winner prediction | Bryan Cranston, Mad Men
Who I want to win | Hugh Laurie, House
Winner | Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Best Television Series [Comedy or Musical]
My winner prediction | The Big Bang Theory
Who I want to win | The Big Bang Theory
Winner | Glee
The Big Bang Theory > Glee
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series [Comedy or Musical]
My winner prediction | Toni Collette, United States of Tara
Who I want to win | Toni Collete, United States of Tara
Winner | Laura Linney, The Big C
[Also, RIP Romulus Linney]
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series [Comedy or Musical]
My winner prediction | Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Who I want to win | Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Winner | Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Best Mini Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
My winner prediction | You Don't Know Jack
Who I want to win | Temple Grandin
Winner | Carlos
Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
My winner prediction | Claire Danes, Temple Grandin
Who I want to win | Claire Danes, Temple Grandin
Winner | Claire Danes, Temple Grandin
Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
My winner prediction | Al Pacino, You Don't Know Jack
Who I want to win | Al Pacino, You Don't Know Jack
Winner | Al Pacino, You Don't Know Jack
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television
My winner prediction | Jane Lynch, Glee
Who I want to win | Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Winner | Jane Lynch, Glee
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television
My winner prediction | Scott Caan, Hawaii 5-O
Who I want to win | Chris Colfer, Glee
Winner | Chris Colfer, Glee
And, of course, some favorite quotes from the night
Ricky Gervais
- "It's going to be a night of partying and heavy drinking. Or, as Charlie Sheen calls it, breakfast."
- "I'm not sure if I totally understood the season finale [of Lost], but I'm pretty sure the fat one ate them all."
John Lassiter
- "Were you two even born when the first Toy Story came out?"
Steve Carrell
- "There's also the story of King George V-I."
Jim Parsons
- "The writers, my writers, how crass."
Oh, and one last thing: INCEPTION. GOT. ROBBED.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)