1. I am undeserving of grace, but have a God who is merciful enough to extend it to me anyway.
2. I want to pack up and move to Iceland one day.
3. Boybands are my favorite genre of music.
4. I love my family more than anything. If you don’t have a close-knit family, you missed out.
5. As a general rule, I hate people. They are rude, self-centered and have a false sense of entitlement (not everyone, but as far as stereotyping a species goes…).
6. I’m a concert junkie. I will go see basically any band live just because I love the feel of live shows. I love feeling the baseline and drum beat in my ribcage. (There was a trending topic on twitter the other day, #PeopleIHaveSeenLive, and I tallied up mine, and I came to 50 different acts, and those were just the ones I could remember, and not counting artists I’ve seen multiple times).
7. I made it 22 years never having done a load of laundry. Up until I moved to California 6 months ago I had never touched a washer. I had to google how to do laundry.
8. I love television. Well, sort of. I love TV on DVD. I love movies, but I think I like TV better because I get to know the characters more and I get to become attached to them.
9. I love superheroes. Not the comic books (I’m not entirely sure I’ve ever even a comic book in real life), I’m not cool enough for that, but I do love superhero movies (and TV shows…or at least Smallville).
10. I like to consider myself a pretty decent photographer, but I hate to edit pictures. I’m a firm believer in just taking a good picture that needs little to no editing.
11. I would wear dresses everyday if I could.
12. Football is my favorite sport. No contest. In high school I wanted to play, but I wasn’t allowed, so I settled for taking pictures from the sidelines every Friday night. Every Sunday I will sit in front of my television for hours watching any game. I’m a hardcore Chiefs fan (and if you know anything at all about football, you know how rough that is). I hate the Broncos, Peyton Manning, Tony Romo and his Cowboys, and the Steelers, but I’m pretty easy going about everyone else. Some part of me wants to coach high school football at some point in my life, but I’m thinking that’s probably a long shot.
13. I love to bake.
14. I’m an introvert who sometimes masquerades as an extrovert (but only when I have to).
15. I can’t wait to get married. Not that I have any prospects at the moment (please, no one misinterpret that one), but I’m really looking forward to it. But I have a stipulation. Call me vain, but if I can’t get married while I’m young and pretty (and my bridal party is hott) then I don’t want to at all. Let’s get a move on, clocks ticking, boys.
16. Harry Potter will always be one of my best friends.
17. The Lion King is my comfort movie. I watch it when I’m sad, or when I’m scared. I watch it when I’m content with life, or when I can’t fall asleep at night. It basically has permanent residency in my Blu-Ray player.
18. My favorite number is three.
19. I am always hot. I’m pretty sure my body temperature runs at least 2 degrees hotter than what’s natural (ask anyone who has ever been in close quarters with me). I am basically a space heater. It’s miserable.
20. Polar bears are the best animal ever. And if science ever figures out a way to genetically alter them so that they only grow as big as a dog, I will have one. I may get one anyway.
A little while back I stumbled upon a blog that I’m going to shamelessly copy. I’ll be answering the following questions over the course of the month. I picked August because it’s the month I was born in, and because of that it seems like a good time to do some self-evaluation ( I think some of these questions may require that), and to do some self-disclosing. So, be prepared for daily updates!
Yea! I know you’re all so excited to read about me! I like to pretend that one day I’m going to be famous (or dating someone who’s famous) and people are going to be stalking me like I stalk (okay, the term ‘stalk’ is probably a bit exaggerated, it’s not like I’m in danger of getting a restraining order or anything, it’s just the quickest way to describe it, and it sounds better than saying that I “do research on people,” to me that sounds creepier) my favorite people (or those people that they’re dating…), so that’s how I’m going to treat this. I’m going to treat it like people actually care and are eagerly reading my every word like they just stumbled upon confidential information. 🙂
These are the questions:
1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrasing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misundertand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.
And, I might not name the post after the question. I may try to be a bit more creative. Or I may not. Who really knows at this point?
So, generally I try to stay away from all types of political debates. I don’t get involved in presidential debates, I won’t give you my opinion on the candidates unless you specifically ask me, and even then I usually try to change the subject. I also try to not speak up too much about policy debates either. Yes, I have strong opinions, but I am also aware that those are just mine and that nobody else has to agree with them.
But sometimes there comes a topic where I can’t help but give my two cents. Mostly this blog is for my own benefit. If I don’t say something somewhere I’m going to start commenting on everyone’s facebook statuses (stati?) and replying to everyone and their mom on twitter…and that would not lead to anywhere good.
First, I just want to express my deepest sympathies to those who lost loved ones in the shooting during The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Co. This was such a senseless tragedy. Those people who lost loved ones have been given such an unfair circumstance. No one should have to lose anyone so abruptly and unexpectedly. For their loss, I am sorry. I also can’t help by feel a little sorry for the boy-shooter and his family. I can’t imagine what would have to be going on in someones brain for them to open fire on innocent people. What kind of horrors, real or imaginary (which in my opinion could almost be scarier), would this boy have to go through to decide that this was a good idea? Yes, he should be held responsible, but he is also to be pitied. The families of the victims should be in our prayers, but remember that the shooter was also a victim and that his family should be thought of as well.
Now, onto what has really been bugging me. Guns don’t kills people. Have you ever seen a gun act on it’s own accord and shoot someone? Because I haven’t. People kill people. People kill people all kinds of ways. With guns, with knifes, with cars, even with their bare hands.
I keep seeing people say that they should take guns away from people and that would significantly lower murder rates. Yes, it would lower the murder-by-gun rates. But, people are clever (unfortunately, especially psychopaths), and if you take their access to guns away they will just find another way to kill people. I haven’t done my research, but I’d be willing to bet that the most common unnatural cause of death is by car wreck. Are you going to take cars away because cars kill people? No, that would be silly. I read a report this morning that the gunman identified himself to police as “The Joker.” Clearly this is a Batman reference. He killed all those people because he thought he was a bad guy from a movie. Are you going to blame the movie for their deaths? Are you going to ban movies from the public? Because if you take away guns because they kill people you must also take away cars, movies and just about everything else in the world.
I agree that there should be gun safety laws. Yes, you should have to pass a test to get a gun. No, you shouldn’t be able to just walk into a sporting good store and buy one. And no, you shouldn’t be able have Ak-47s or whatever, but you can’t take guns away all together. Or make it as difficult and tracking down a Horcrux to get one.
People can’t keep blaming tragedies on inanimate objects. That’s just an excuse. People have got to start taking responsibility. Society has made it so easy to just blame video games, movies and the weapon for tragedy, when really we should be placing the blame somewhere else. That shooter is going to have to take responsibilities for his actions. He shot those people. The gun didn’t do it. The Joker didn’t do it. He did.
So there it is. I’m sure that some of my conservative friends will definitely disagree with me. But, before you think about arguing with me, you better come prepared with a story where a gun has shot someone all by itself.
I recently saw The Avengers (judging from it’s box office numbers, I’m not the only one), and I loved it. Not enough to go see it again (or at least not until it goes to the $3 theater), but I appreciated it’s epic-ness. It was non-stop. And I love movies like that. I love movies where you never know what point you’re at in the story because it’s just constant action. Constantly engaging. There’s no real beginning, middle, or end. I think it did a great job of bringing together all the different superheroes. I loved the whole cast and their dynamics together. (I think they’ve finally found a winner in Mark Ruffalo. No more changing Hulks.) Watching The Avengers makes me wonder just when DC Comics will be putting together a Justice League movie. I think they’ve got a ways to go seeing as I’ve only ever seen (that I remember) two Justice League characters in movies (Batman and Superman).
There is just something special about heroes, at least in my opinion. They’re a dying breed. Why is that so many guys basically worship these fictional characters, but yet none of them want to act like them? Why are there so many Situations and Pauly Ds in the world, but few Clark Kents or Steve Rogers’? I think it’s because it is hard to be a hero. It takes courage, and integrity, and selflessness. Sometimes doing the right thing does not make you cool, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it anyway. You don’t have to have out of this world powers to be a hero, you just have to have an out of this world heart.
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” – Christopher Reeve
Hats off to all those men out there who are heroes; the men who sacrifice so much to serve our country, who keep our streets safe, who rush into burning buildings, and those who adore the women in their life and who spend time with their children. (Not saying that women are any better at being heroes, or that that is not something we should also strive for, that’s just not what this post is about.)
And now, to the real point of the blog: my top 5 favorite superheroes. Typically girls don’t have these lists because typically they don’t care. I, however, am no typical girl, and therefore do have a top 5 superheroes list (really I love most superheroes, I’m pretty sure I own ever superhero movie there is, but I do have my favorites).
1. Superman (Clark Kent)
Superman will always be my favorite superhero, for obvious reasons. I mean, he’s freaking Superman. You don’t get much more heroic than that. He can do it all. He’s the man of steel. Faster than a speeding bullet. Supersonic hearing. Heat and x-ray vision. And he can fly. He’s the ultimate superhero.
I am sure that my love for him also comes from my love of the TV show Smallville. I faithfully watched that show all 10 seasons (and now I faithfully re-watch that show on dvd). I just love Clark Kent. He’s funny, smart, and kind. Clark always does what’s best. He’s a true gentleman, but at the same time he kind of has a bit of an ornery streak. And Tom Welling was seriously the best Clark Kent/Superman. I mean, he even had Christopher Reeve’s approval. I am a little frustrated with Warner Bros for not casting Tom Welling as Superman for the new Man of Steel movie after the Smallville finale. It would have worked so perfectly. (However, I did hear that Tom Welling turned down the role, so I guess I can’t lay WB with all the blame. I also heard that there may be a Smallville movie in the works, which would be ideal for me. Then I’d get to keep all my beloved characters.) I just really love Clark Kent/Superman.
2. Captain America (Steve Rogers)
Captain Americais my second favorite superhero simply because of his heart. He starts out as this little guy who gets beat up all the time, but in the end becomes a beacon of righteousness to everyone. He gets beat up, but he still stands up for what he believes in. Captain America/Steve Rogers never loses his moral center. He never thinks of himself and always does the right thing. He’s compassionate and just an all-around good guy. He is brave and chivalrous. And I love that. I’m sure it definitely doesn’t hurt that the very handsome Chris Evans plays him, either. Chris Evans must just have a superhero spirit about him. First he was in the Fantastic Four, now he’s a Captain America. It suits him.
3. Green Arrow (Oliver Queen)
Now I know my love for this guy comes from Smallville. I’ve never even seen a comic with him in it (not that I’ve seen many comics at all), or a movie (I did hear that The CW has created aGreen Arrow TV show though. No doubt trying to fill the Smallville void. Only, they didn’t cast the same Green Arrow, which is confusing, and disappointing to me). The only experience I have with him is Smallville. And that was enough for me. Green Arrow (on Smallville) is Superman’s (ehh— the Red-Blue Blur’s) right hand man, but he doesn’t quite have the same heart that Superman has. He has a bit of an attitude, which I kind of love about him (plus Oliver is very charming). I love that he’s not the perfect superhero. At his core he is a good guy, but sometimes his attitude gets the best of him and he doesn’t do the right thing. Sometimes he makes bad decisions, but he learns from them. (Once again, I am sure that it doesn’t hurt that Justin Hartley, the guy portrays Oliver Queen, happens to be very good-looking.)
4. Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
Why does it seem like there are so many ‘green’ superheroes? Is there some kind of significance with the color green that I am just not geeky enough to understand? Anyways, Green Lantern is pretty cool. And for once, I’m not basing my love of him off the movie, which was kind of lame (except for the fact that Ryan Reynolds play Hal Jordan, that’s not lame at all). I’m basing my love of him off his powers. How cool is it that he can create anything with his mind? I think next to being Superman, this is the coolest power.
5. Iron Man (Tony Stark)
I really just love Tony Stark. Or should I say, I love the Tony Stark that Robert Downey Jr. portrays. He is hilarious! He is sarcastic and arrogant and mean, and I am just greatly amused by him. He’s so quick-witted and snarky. And I love it. I don’t really have an opinion on Iron Man, I mean I suppose he’s okay, I really just love Tony Stark’s obnoxiousness, so that’s why he gets a place on this list.
It’s like I can hear the Heavens singing. I have been waiting for this day…well, since they left. They never really left me, though. I have always been a boy band fan. At any time on any given day you will hear them playing in my car, and from my laptop/phone. There is just something about them that makes me love them. Their characteristic good looks and charm, their non-threatening personas, and of course those uber sweet and fun songs.
My love affair with boy bands began at a young age. My first musical love in life was Hanson (don’t judge), but if you really want to get technical, I guess it began with The Beatles. The Beatles were/are my dad’s favorite group, so when I was little they were mine. But the first group that I really remember being devoted to was Hanson. That devotion never really faded. I still love them just as much, if not more than I did back in the day. I’m always going to be slightly bitter that they all married other girls, but whatever (Seriously, they may have looked like girls wen they were younger, but look at the handsome men they became). Now it’s one of those deep loves, you know like that one quote I see every where “….love is like a flame…blah, blah, blah…grows deep as embers…” (something like that). Now I truly appreciate their music. There will never be another Hanson in my life.
Then there was the wave of boy bands in the mid to late 90s. I loved them all. I mean, back then you had to choose a team, you COULD NOT like both Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, so I was Team *NSYNC (though I secretly loved BSB, too). I was fairly convinced that I was going to marry Justin Timberlake(I was overlooking the strange 8 year age difference, I would still marry him if he’d get rid of Jessica Biel). I was crazy obsessed with them. Anyone who knew me back in the day can attest to this. I owned every single thing they made; posters covered my walls; I had a t-shirt for every day in the month. It.was.bad. (I may o may not still break out in to dance every time“Bye Bye Bye” comes on.) Luckily I got to see them in concert once (PopOddessy Tour. Arrowhead Stadium. July 10, 2001) before they disbanded. And, let me just be honest here, there is no limit on the amount of money I would pay to see them again if they were to ever go on a reunion tour. I would sell one of my kidneys, and perhaps a lung, too (that’s not a joke).
Then along came the Jonas Brothers. Once again, I was obsessed. I can distinctly remember when/how it started. It was my 18th birthday, and my mom had bought me (ironically enough) Hanson’s latest album, The Walk, but the Jonas Brothers had just released their self-titled album, Jonas Brothers (duh).Though I was, of course, pleased to get Hanson’s new album, I went out and brought the JoBros album. And then in February, Tara and I went and saw their When You Look Me In The Eyes tour. And the rest is sort of history. I was crazy obsessed. Like, one of those fangirls, only less annoying and potentially more scary for them because I was smart. I’ve seen them a total of three times (four if you count the time I saw Nick’s solo tour). Once even I drove all the way to Omaha, Nebraska to see them. I’m still a fan. I bought Nick and Joe’s solo albums (I liked Nick’s a lot more than Joe’s), and I am anxiously awaiting all the new music they’ve been working on. Oh, and I still stalk their whereabouts pretty much daily. (Unfortunately every time I come to California they go to NYC. And now that I moved here, they all live in NYC. I’m still pretty bitter about that.) I’m still not totally convinced I won’t marry one of them (obviously Joe or Nick, because Kevin is already married, and Frankie is too young).
And now there is a new way of boy bands. One Direction. Big Time Rush. The Wanted. (There are probably others that I’m forgetting.) I’ve always kind of loved Big Time Rush. I liked to watch their show when I was home. It was silly and fun. Their music is classic boy band, and they all happen to have the boy band look. Handsome and clean cut. I’m actually currently campaning to work on their up coming summer tour (so if you happen to know anyone who works for Columbia Records, hit me up), because I think it would be fun. Four crazy guys who have to entertain 13-year-olds for 1.5 hours? Tell me that doesn’t sound like fun. I only vaguely know The Wanted. I’ve heard their one song “Glad You Came,” but that’s about as far a I go in knowledge of them. I wouldn’t be able to pick them out in a police line up.
Then there is One Direction. I hated them for so long. I remember reading about them months ago. Months before they blew up over here. And I hated them. I had never actually heard any of their songs, but I hated their public personas. They are dirty, inappropriate and I was just not a fan. I’m still not sure that I am a fan. But, I did buy their album. Because I couldn’t resist. As I have just laid out my musical history with boy bands, you can see that it is embedded in my DNA to love them. And as much as I want to hate One Direction, their music is classic boy band. It’s fun, incredibly catchy and sweet. I just want to make it clear that I do not like them, I just like their music (which was not written by them).
MTV has created a competition that was made for me. Battle of the Boy Bands. Voting began yesterday on this bracket (which as far I’m concerned trumps the March Madness bracket by a landslide).
The starting 32 boy bands.
I decided to take some time and give you my picks. Below you will find two separate brackets. The first one is what I anticipate happening, And the second one is what I want to happen.
This what I predict will happen.
Now, as I just explained before, I do not love One Direction…but a lot of girls do. A lot of the demographic that is actually going to vote in the contest love them. A huge part of their rise to fame was the internet. They wouldn’t be as huge as they are now if it wasn’t for tumblr, twitter, blogs and youtube. So I think that their little fans will probably run this competition. Which is sad. There is no way they deserve to beat Backstreet Boys, but such is life. You also may be a bit annoyed with some of my other picks, but I’m just trying to take into account who I think the voters will pick.
Most of the voters will identify with Big Time Rush, but they’ll have no idea who Boys II Men is. It’s kind of the same way throughout some of the other ocntests. You have to look at the voting demographic. Young girls who are crazy obsessed (like I was not so long ago) are going to spend hours on their computers voting, and their friends are all going to vote. Now, Boys II Men may in fact be the better boy band, but how many Boys II Men fans are getting on mtv.com everyday? How many times will Boys II Men tweet a link to this site and campaigning for the win, because I can guarantee the Big Time Rush will. And how many BoysIIMen fans have hours upon hours to just sit and vote..? Exactly.
Backstreet Boys are still around making music, and they have a pretty heavy web presence, plus their core fans are my age (and very dedicated), and know how to use a computer and are on it pretty frequently. If anybody has a shot at taking on One Direction and their crazy fans, it’s BSB. They might have a decent shot because once all of my generations other favorites get eliminated we will rally behind them. *NSYNC is a classic, when most people think boy band, they are probably what they think of, so they might have more of a fighting chance than I’m giving them credit for. (Wouldn’t it be great if it came down to BSB vs. *NSYNC? That would be the classic battle.) And I refuse to pick a winner out of the Jonas Brothers/Hanson round. I just won’t do it.
This is what I want to happen.
I can’t choose! I want them all to win!
That east division is just killing me. As you will notice, three of my all-time favorite bands have to face off, and if I could have my way I would want them all to win (though I don’t really consider Hanson or the JoBros as classic boy bands, but I guess they can fit in this time). You will also notice that I kept Big Time Rush ahead of Boys II Men after defending them before, but personally I was just not a big Boys II Men fan. I know that they were successful and well-loved, just not by me. I don’t really have an opinion on The Wanted, but I love The Monkees, so they win that round. Another surprising choice is New Kids on the Block over The Beatles. In my head, I just don’t categorize The Beatles as a boy band. They have more credibility than that. I mean, is Guns N’ Roses a boy band just because it’s a band made up of boys? No! So I don’t see how The Beatles fell into this catagory. I mean, if you’re going to throw them in, then where are The Beach Boys, huh? And you will also notice that I have One Direction going to the final four, but did you look at their competition? They were seriously given the easier division. I mean, B2K? They were barely a boy band. They had one song…and then I’m pretty sure they disbanded. And “Bump Bump Bump,” was hardly an innocent, boy band style song. And, don’t get me wrong, I love BSB and New Kids on the Block, so therefor I love NKOTBSB and I was obsessed with their song “Don’t Turn Off The Lights,” but it seems a little bit unfair to give both bands two bids in this competition.
So, if I had my way the title would be split four ways. However, if I absolutely HAD to choose….
Hanson would get my vote for best overall band…but I think I’d have to give the title of best boy band to *NSYNC. They are pretty much the epitome of the entire genre.
Let me know what you guys think. Do you love boy bands? Are you glad they’re back? Who do you think will win? Who do yo want to win? Was your favorite boy band left out? Tell me what you’re thinking, I’m always up for a good boy band discussion.
My current obsession: Hunter Hayes. I bought his album on a whim last October when it released and I have always loved it, but every once in a while, it becomes this album that I can’t stop listening to, and that time is now. I sort of love blasting it from my car while I’m stuck in traffic on Sunset Blvd. (People in LA just don’t appreciate country music.)
How ridiculously talented is this kid? He wrote or co-wrote all 12 songs on his album, he co-produced it…and on top of that, he played every single instrument on the album, that’s 30 + instruments. What that heck? Who does that?? It’s crazy. I got to see him this past fall (briefly), when he opened for Taylor Swift’s Speak Now World Tour stop in St. Louis, and he was so engaging and entertaining. He is just fantastic.
He is a country artist. Like real country. It’s even borderline that I would like him because he is country country. He’s got some blues influences, and because he’s young he’s got somewhat of a newer country-pop sound too, but there overall feel of his music is straight up country. He’s probably about as country as I’ll get. His songs are, for the most part, sweet. The kid is only 20-years-old, but his songs are not bubblegum, and they’re not silly and superficial. They are written with artistry well beyond his years. His lyrics are clever, innocent and real. They are also age appropriate. There’s nothing in there that I wouldn’t listen to with any of my nieces.
Plus, he is freaking doll. Blond hair, blue eyes, baby face. He’s cute as a button. He has all the makings of a superstar. Charisma, real talent and good looks, he’s going to be huge. He’s going to be sleeper success; no one is going to even see it coming.
Seriously, he's a doll.
This kid has more talent in his pinky finger then most people in the music industry, and yet, he’s remained relatively unknown. Sure, he’s fairly popular in the country music world (as I like to say, he’s the Justin Bieber of country music), but he’s not like a huge commercial success. Which is sad. When people like Nicki Minaj are huge, and people like Hunter are not, there is something seriously wrong. Regardless of whether you like country music or not, you at least have to see how this that’s a problem. When someone who writes, produces, and plays every instrument invented is relatively unknown, and someone who can’t sing, write or even dress herself is vastly popular, there is a problem in the industry.
Listen to Hunter’s debut album here. And if you really love it (which if you like country music, you should) go buy it on iTunes, or if you’re like me, and you like have hard copies of things go pick it up at Target, or BestBuy, or Wal*Mart, anywhere, just go buy it. Check out his website: www.hunterhayes.com and you can follow Hunter on twitter at @HunterHayes.
Guys, One Tree Hillends tonight. Even saying that my heart gets sad. I don’t know that I’m emotionally prepared to handle it. Word of advice to anyone in my life, don’t try to talk to me tonight, probably not tomorrow either. There is a strong possibility that I will be in a state of mourning.
I remember when I first watched the show. I thought it was going to be the worse show ever, but I gave it a try because I sort of had a think for Chad Michael Murray (who didn’t back in the day, when he used to get regular haircuts?), and then I became obsessed. Last summer two of my best friends and I traveled from Missouri to Wilmington (by car) just so we could see all these places that mean so much to us. We saw The Rivercourt, Karen’s Café (Formerly Clothes Over Bros), Tric. We saw the 6th Street Bridge. We saw it all. And it was magical. Wilmington really is Tree Hill, there are so many locations that you don’t even really think about until you walk past them.
Cape Fear.
Me at Karen’s Cafe
Wilmington = Tree Hill
Chris Keller?
Tric.
Me at Tric.
The Rivercourt
Kezia, Kendall and me on those historic Rivercourt bleachers.
I don’t wanna be anything other than what I been tryna be lately.
I cannot tell you the number of time that I’ve seen every episode, but I assure you that the number is very high. For me, the series ended with season 6. I was always a Lucas fan (not that I don’t also love Nathan), and I just couldn’t see how the show could go on without it’s main protagonist. But, it has, and it has been good. I feel like One Tree Hillis not one of those shows that is mostly filler episodes. You know, has a good one every now and then, but the rest are kind of just there. All the episodes are essential and worth watching.
I was going to make a list of my most memorable moments, and then I started to write things down. That’s when I discovered that there are way too many memorable moments/scenes for me to even begin to mention. And then I was like, ‘oh, maybe I’ll do memorable quotes.’ Yeah, way too many of those, too. So, I just sat down with my pen and started writing down all the things I remembered the most, and now my paper is totally full. Below I’m going to attempt to transpose what is on my paper by way of multiple lists.
Favorite Main Characters:
Lucas Scott: The brooding jock…who is also a writer. My friend Kendall likes to call Lucas an ‘I-love-you-whore.’ I just think he has a big heart. Lucas was the heart and soul of the show for 6 years, and without him, I’m honestly surprised it lasted 3 seasons. I always found myself rooting for Luc, and he will always have a place in my heart.
Haley James-Scott: Haley was the moral center of the show. She always has been. And she’s also always been my favorite character. I feel like Haley and I are very similar. Morally centered, a bit feisty, loyal, and the steadfast person of the group.
Nathan Scott: What a change this guy went through. Nathan was a total jerk at the beginning, and now look at him. I hope to marry a man like Nathan Scott some guy. He has integrity, and he fights for his family and friends, and he loves with his whole heart. Not to mention he’s super handsome and sweet, and perhaps the best dad ever.
Brooke Davis-Baker: Brook is the girl that everybody thought they knew, but really nobody knew. She hides her true self from everyone, she’s very rarely vulnerable, but when those moments happen, they make you love her even more. Brooke has the kindest heart. I can only hope to be as cool as B. Davis one day. (Julian Baker is an honorable mention here, just because I love the way he adores Brooke.)
James Lucas ‘Jamie’ Scott: This kid is the best. He’s just full of wisdom.
Favorite Supporting Characters:
Jake Jagielski: He is my favorite character from the entire series. I. Love. This. Guy. And how could you not? The boy sings. He loves his daughter. He plays basketball. He is/was one of the best guys on the show (not to mention he is incredibly attractive). I would play house with Jake Jagielski any day.
Marvin ‘Mouth’ McFadden:Also one of the best guys on the show. He is kind and sweet. He’s there for his friends, and he appreciates girls.
Antwon ‘Skillz’ Taylor: He is the funniest character on the show. Hands down. Almost every word that came out of that guys mouth had me literally laughing out loud. And thank goodness he’s around, because sometimes the drama got to be too much to handle, so I need him around for comic relief.
Chris Keller: The guy everyone loves to hate. I love him, but I hate him, all at the same time. The way he speaks in third person is hilarious. He is my most beloved villain of all time. I’m so glad they brought him back for season 9.
Chase Adams: Chase is also one of the best guys. I love the way he is with Chuck (even though I HATE that kid). He is just an all-around good guy. The poor thing gets his heart broken so many time, and then he gets kicked out of the air force for doing the right thing, plus people never seem to remember than he is the bar manager. Poor, sweet Chase.
Traumatic Moments:
With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept (3.16): The school shooting. I can remember being on the edge of my seat during this episode. It’s so traumatic. I was fearful for Uncle Keith. I was fearful for Peyton and Lucas. I was fearful for Haley and Nathan. And I was sad for Jimmy. I recall hating Dan Scott more than ever before (I also recall hating Rachel, because she opened the time capsule). I cried when Jimmy died. And I cried when Keith died. This is one of those ‘must watch episodes,” I know I said they all are, but this one is really essential. It’s just so real. People are bullied everyday. Jimmy Edwards could be anyone.
Nathan jumps in to the river to save Cooper and Rachel (3.22): I felt like Haley in this episode. I was freaking out. And the bracelet floating in the water did not help matters. It was just so bad. Haley in her wedding dress sobbing on the bridge, and Nathan nowhere to be found. (Honorable mention: Haley and Lucas both seemingly dying in the street after the championship game in season 4.)
Darkness at the Edge of Town (8.11): Everything about this episode is traumatic. Stalker Katie comes hunting Quinn down, and they have a showdown. All the while Jamie and Brooke are trapped in the wreckage of a car perched on the edge of a bridge (and did I mention there is a hurricane). I was freaking out the entire episode. And when Julian is carrying a lifeless Brooke down the road I was on the verge of tears. Then Jamie says “Aunt Brooke is dead,” and I totally lost it.
Psycho Derek: Need I say more? Both episodes where he attacks are traumatic. But, I think I would definitely say the prom episode (4.16) is the worst. I mean, Peyton thinks it’s Lucas, and then BAM! Derek turns around. It’s crazy. I think I may be permanently scarred for life. And the whole showdown between Derek, Brook and Peyton is crazy.
Nanny Carrie: Once again, do I really need to elaborate? First she tries to steal Nathan from Haley. Then she kidnaps Jamie from a wedding, and then she abducts Dan and pretends to be a nurse. She is a psychopath. When Haley and Jamie and Nanny Carrie are all running through the cornfield I was in a state of terror (6.05). Seriously traumatic.
Tear-jerking Moments:
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. (6.03): Saddest episode ever. Quintin Fields is shot and killed, and it tears apart the entire cast, but no one more than little Jamie Scott. Haley and Nathan have to explain to him about loss, and then he wants to go to the funeral to say goodbye to his best friend. And then Jamie and Brooke cover Quintin’s casket with the cape that Jamie made for him. I seriously sob through that episode. It is so heartbreaking.
Forever and Almost Always (6.23): The end where Lucas is carrying Peyton into the hospital in her wedding dress covered in blood gets me every time. I had been mentally preparing for Peyton to die, and I thought that was happening. And though I wasn’t that sad (because I never really liked Peyton), I was really sad for Lucas. How was he going to love that little girl if she took Peyton from him?
All of the Sudden I miss everyone (4.21): The end of this episode is what gets me. Where they are all standing on The Rivercourt saying goodbye. There’s nothing really super sad about it, it just makes me very nostalgic and therefore, I am sad. It just one big group of friends, and to me that is beautiful.
This is My House, This is My Home (8.22): Jamie dribbling across the bridge in the Scott Body Shop hoodie. Too much. I can’t handle that. It would have been a great way to end the series.
Danny Boy (9.11): I was going to try to leave season 9 off the list, but I just couldn’t. I cried this entire episode. I never thought I would cry for Dan Scott, but it was so sad. I literally cried the whole time. And then when Keith comes back I wept. It was so perfect. What was Mark Schwahn trying to do to me?! (I even watched for Craig Schaffer’s name in the opening credits so that I could prepare myself for Keith’s return, but it was there, so when he did appear I became incoherent.)
Funny Moments:
Every time Skilz opens his mouth. For real. Funniest character.
Nathan and Chris Keller’s roadtrip (3.09): So funny. All of it. When they’re driving and Nathan stops the car every few feet because Chris Keller has said something else dumb. When they’re trying to escape from the angry poker mob and Nathan tosses Chris Keller’s guitar overboard. When they’re walking through the forest and Nathan keeps punching Chris Keller. “Stop punching Chris Keller.” “Stop kissing my wife.” Definitely one of the funnier episodes.
Haley’s wardrobe from season one.
When Brooke, Haley and Peyton all drive home from the basketball game together (1.06): Brooke is high on some medication and she is hilarious. She decides she doesn’t like the name Haley so she renames her Brooke. “Well, answer the question, Brooke,” says Brooke to Haley. Pretty funny.
Dan’s donor heart is eaten by a stoned dog (6.18): How outlandish is this? Crazy. But funny. Dan Scott totally deserved that.
* Honorable mention: When Julian gets punched by Nick Lachey at Peyton and Lucas’s wedding. All the banter between Nick Lachey and Julian is pretty funny.
Important Quotes:
“Your art matters, it’s what got me here.” (1.02/5.02)
“I wanted you to fight for me!” (3.05)
“Don’t say I never gave you anything.” (1.03)
“Zero is not a size.” (7.04)
“First of all, you don’t know me. Second of all, you don’t know me.” (1.01)
“People always leave.”
“Always and forever.”
“Clothes over bros.”
“Every song has a CODA, a final movement. Whether it fades out or crashes away, every song ends. Is that any reason not to enjoy the music?” (3.13)
“Don’t worry, little brother, you’re my plus one.” (9.11)
Those are just some of my musings about One Tree Hill. Feel free to let me know you’re favorite moments, characters or quotes.
I’m going to miss them all. Lucas. Haley. Nathan. Brooke. Peyton. Julian. Jamie. Skillz. Mouth. Chris Keller. Chase. Dan. Keith. Karen. Jake. Millie. Clay. Whitey. Mia. Nanny Carrie. Bevin. Deb. Jimmy Edwards. Andy. Quinn. Psycho Derek. Fergie and Junk. Victoria. Quintin. Sam. Even that bratty kid, Chuck.
So, while I’ve been searching for a paying job (internships are great, but they don’t pay my bills), I’ve been looking through A LOT of want adds, and I’ve been noticing that people are needy and cheap.
They want one person to be able to to everything. Do they realize that people go to school to learn to be excellent at one thing? Like, if I had gone to school to be dental assistant, they aren’t going to teach me how to work Photoshop, but yet that seems to be what is expected out everyone. Which seems a little silly to me. How can you expect someone to do everything when you obviously don’t know how to everything?
You want to be a personal assistant? This is what you have know how to do: cook, drive, answer phones, answer e-mail, manage a calendar/schedule, do general errands; those are all sort of typical, and make sense. But you must also: be an expert at Photoshop and Final Cut Pro, know how to build and run a website, be an an accountant…and you absolutely must know how to pilot the space station. (And did I mention you must also be bilingual?) If you don’t know these things you can not be a personal assistant. Um, I don’t know if anyone told you, but a person assistant position is not one that is suppose to require a lot of knowledge, it’s sort of the bottom of the totem pole.
Excuse me? How can you expect someone to have all of these skills? You need an entire team to do all of those things effectively. And odds are if someone tells you they know how to do all these things, they are lying to you. And if they do know how to do them, they don’t know how to do them all well, so things are going to get sloppy. It just frustrates me.
People are so cheap that heaven forbid they hire multiple people to do multiple jobs. They want to hire one person to do everything, and then pay that one person minimum wage for doing the job of a superhero. This is why quality of work goes down.
And those demanding people will have no one to blame but themselves when everything around them starts to fray and unravel. There is only so much one person can do. So unless you hire Clark Kent as your personal assistant, be prepared for failure.
There are three reasons I will allow a male to call me by a pet name:
1. We are related. I figure if you share my blood and/or have had to tolerate me my whole life, you have earned the right to call me whatever you want. (“adopted” families included!)
2. We are dating. Like seriously dating, not just “hanging out.”
3. You are elderly.
(Also, I’d probably make an exception for those people I’m obsessed with. If Josh Hutcherson walked up and called me babe, I’d probably be okay with that.)
If you don’t fall under one of these categories, please do not refer to me as babe, honey, sweetheart, darlin’, baby or anything along those lines. I have a name. And if you can’t take time to learn my name, then you probably don’t deserve my time anyway. And if you do know my name and you just don’t care enough to call me by it, then I don’t really care enough to respond.
I don’t really consider myself a feminist, but I just feel like it’s so condescending when a guy calls me babe (just using that one as an example because to me it’s the most offensive one and it’s also the one I hear most often). It’s like he thinks it gives him some sort of power over me (which it doesn’t, all it manages to do is make me mad). I don’t know if that’s just me and I’m being overly defensive about it, but I just don’t appreciate it. I think part of what makes me feel that it’s condescending comes from that fact that they are called “pet names.” You are the master of your pet, so I feel like when you refer to someone with a pet name, then you are subconsciously (or for some it may be conscious decision) saying that you are their master. And for some reason our society has decided that it’s okay for men to refer to women with pet names, but then it would be weird if a woman did the same thing. I don’t like the double standard. I don’t walk around calling you babe, what makes you think it’s okay for you to do that to me?
And some guys think it makes them charming to refer to girls as babe or baby. And maybe that works on some girls, but they are probably not the girls you’re going to want to take home to mom. And you, guy-who-does-this, are not the kind of guy I want to take home to my family. In fact, if you refer to me as babe (without meeting one of the above mentioned criteria) then I will probably file you under sleazy in my brain. And then you will have dug yourself a hole that you will spend forever trying to climb out of.
And I know I’m being general here and stereotyping, but I’ve just had some situations where this has occured recently and it’s been bugging me.
Pet names are only okay when they come out of a place of real affection, if used under any other circumstance they get tainted.
One of the greatest things about living in L.A. is that now the objects of my affection are sometimes within reach. They pop up at malls, and beaches, just to say hi to those of us that adore them. And that was the case yesterday.
In case you don’t actually know me at all, let me inform you now that I am obsessed with The Hunger Games (see previous blog post, my facebook or twitter). And yesterday the cast began their mall tour (a mall tour is where select members of the cast show up at some big malls to sign a few autographs and have a short Q&A session) here in Los Angeles and the Westfield Century City Mall. And you had better believe I was there (um, Josh Hutcherson was there, of course there was no way I was letting him get out of there without seeing me)!
The day began bright and early. Okay, that’s not true, it did begin early, but because it was only 5am, it wasn’t so bright. The sun hadn’t even come out yet. Any time I have to get up before the sun I want to throw up. But, I endured the awfulness because Josh Hutcherson was going to be within my reach (yeah, that’s dedication right there). Please keep in mind that the Q&A session didn’t even start until 6 PM. So, anyways, got up at 5am, and got ready for what had the potential to be an awesome day, and then headed to pick up George.
So, George and I are driving to Beverly Hills, and just kind of talking about how the day is going to go, when we notice that something is different. And strange. There is no traffic. None at all. I have never experienced anything like this since I got here. All five lanes were basically empty. I took the no traffic as a good sign for the day. Then we got to the mall…
The event doesn’t even start until 6pm and there are already like 275 people in line. Whaaaaat? The rules of the event state that no one is permitted to line up until 8am, and yet, here is this line at 6:45 am. Clearly that has backfired. I feel like the mall underestimated the will of crazy girls. So, now I’m a little bit frustrated. The parking garage doesn’t open until 7am, so George and I go to The Coffee Bean down the road so we can formulate what our next step will be. We can either: go home and admit defeat; go get in line to be one of the 1000 people let in to the Q&A; or go back and take our chances and try to be one of the 100 people who get to meet the cast.
I haven’t quite given up hope. I have on my lucky dress (hey, I had to look good for Josh), and I woke up too early to give in to defeat this easily. So we hang out at The Coffee Bean until like 6:55am, then we head back to the parking garage. Naturally, there is a line of cars. And people are not being polite, or even doing legal things. Apparently the thought of getting to meet the cast of The Hunger Games is enough to turn people crazy. So, it takes us like 10 minutes to park. When we get out of the my car, we wander up the steps and end up right outside of the Microsoft Store (this is the place where you’re suppose to line up to be one of the 100 people who get to meet the cast). There is a barricade, some security and a group of about 15 people already waiting there.
There is one particularly loud girl there. She’s complaining about how their official rules say that you can’t line up before 8am and how it’s not fair that she can’t get a wristband for the meet and greet. She’s complaining about the 275 people who have lined up on the bridge, and how they shouldn’t be rewarded for breaking the rules (come to find she’s been there since 11pm the night before, talk about breaking the rules). The staff of the mall is in crisis mode. They clearly didn’t anticipate all of this chaos. So, they spring into action. George and I wait there for like five minutes, all the while the loud girl has begun to cry and spread her sob story. Her dad just had surgery and she left him for this, she had to drive soooo far, blah blah blah…until finally a member of the event staff comes back.
She explains to us that because the line on the bridge wasn’t official that they are going to spread out the meet and greet passes to the multiple lines. She instructs us to get in line. George and I scramble into the line and wait. They begin handing out passes…and guess who gets the last two?
George and I. We get passes numbers 99 and 100! How freaking ridiculously is that?! We were so close to not getting to meet them! But, we are ushered to the Microsoft Store to wait in line with the other 98 lucky people. While we’re waiting in line, it starts to dawn on me just how lucky we are. I’m listening to these people who are talking about how they’ve been here since 2am, or since the night before. And how they had to fight for their place in line and all the drama that they seem to have experienced. Um, we just walked up like 10 minutes ago? We decide not to tell anyone that. We don’t want to get on the bad side of these people.
The crying girl from before got in, and she’s a little inappropriate. She’s a potty mouth, which is definitely not okay seeing as there are younger kids around, and she’s saying some vulgar things about Josh. Dude, he is just 19-years-old. I am not under the impression that he is completely innocent, but I’m pretty sure the things you’re saying would make him blush, and not in a good way. She is just totally offensive. But, apparently we have all formed this bond now. So I guess we’re friends? As offensive as I find her, I’d rather have her on my side than the other way around.
While we’re waiting in line we start to read some of the posts on Westfield’s facebook page. People are mad. I was a little concerned that there was going to be a riot. While reading the comments, I am beginning to feel really fortunate that I got a wristband…and avoided the chaos from the infamous bridge.
Once we have traded our cards for wristbands we are free to go do whatever until 2:30pm, when we have to be back at the Microsoft Store to get back in line to actually meet the cast. When we leave, George and I wander down to the area where the Q&A is taking place. It basically a big pin that people are forced to sit in. Once you get inside it, only a few people are allowed to leave at one time. So you’re basically trapped. You have to have a lanyard pass thing to leave, and I guess those are in short supply. Orrrrr, if you’re lucky, you have a really cool wristband and can come and go as you please.
I begin to feel a little bit superior with my wristband. I’m a VIP. I can basically do whatever I want, and I’m getting to meet the cast, can you blame me? I also feel a little bit like a target. People with lanyards do not like the people with wristbands. So, I try to avoid them as much as possible. And I try to hide my wristband whenever possible. It also seems that those 100 people with the wristbands have formed this strange alliance. It’s like we’re all friends now. Apparently surviving mass pandemonium will bond anybody. People I don’t know wave and say hi to me, just because I have a wristband.
So, as the day goes by I’m internally panicking while trying to decide what I’m going to say to Josh Hutcherson. What do you say to someone you’re pretty sure you’re going to marry? But seriously…what do I say? I have all these scenarios in my head of how things could go down. They’re not all totally ridiculous, some of them could actually occur (they won’t, but they could). I mean, surely they notice people who they meet, don’t they? I’m sure most of it goes by in a blur, but they have to notice some people. He’s a young guy; he is hardwired to notice girls. How do make him remember me? So this is what’s bouncing around in my head all day (not that any of my planning matters, Miriam ruins everything).
There is a lot of waiting, but finally we are inside the Microsoft Store, and there he is (yeah, Jennifer and Liam are there too), just sitting there being his usual adorable and charming self. And that’s when Misty makes her exit, and is replaced by Miriam.
Miriam is painfully shy and awkward. She can’t talk to regular people, and she most certainly can’t talk to celebrities. Where Misty is a little bit charming herself, Miriam is just awkward; where Misty is witty, Miriam is awkward; and where Misty can speak in full sentences, Miriam can barely string together simple words. Unfortunately, this is the girl that replaces Misty during celebrity encounters.
For some dumb reason we weren’t allowed to take cameras in to meet them (they say it’s because of contractual issues, but I’m pretty sure the store just hates us), so there is no actual proof I met Liam, Jennifer or Josh, but I promise I did. When we got to the front of the line we were rushed through with our own personal security member.
Liam was up first at the table, so Miriam talked to him first:
“Hi, how are you?” Miriam says.
“I’m good, how about you?” says Liam (in his very attractive Australian accent).
“I’m good, too” says Miriam.
Liam was nice. He signed my store provided poster and we shook hands (he shakes hands like of like a girl though, especially to be so huge). And he is very handsome, the screen doesn’t even do him justice. Miley Cyrus is a very lucky girl.
Next was Jennifer:
“Hi, how are you?” Miriam asked.
“Hi, I’m good,” answers Jennifer as she signs my poster. Then she offers her hand out for a handshake. “We can shake hands, but they are kind of fussy about hugs,” she says with a laugh. (George had just asked to for a hug, and security said no).
Um, she is a babe. She’s currently my girl crush (her and Zooey Deschanel). She is absolutely beautiful, and so funny! I’m pretty sure we could be friends (she and Misty could be friends, not Miriam).
Finally, the moment has arrive, Josh is sitting right in front of me. I think I’m going to say something witty, something cute, something that’ll make him remember me (in a good way). Instead, this happens:
“Hi Josh, how are you?” sputters Miriam.
“Well, hi. I’m doing great. Thank you. And how are you?” Josh responds after he signs my poster. He looks up and maintains eye contact the whole time, which of course only manages to fluster Miriam even more.
“I’m fantastic,” Miriam manages to blurt out while her face turns what I’m sure is an awful shade of red. He holds his hand out to me and I shake his hand. He holds on a little longer than I’m anticipating and he says “that’s great. Thank you for coming.” And I am ushered away.
Josh is seriously the nicest guy ever. And he’s so adorable. He’s like miniature, but totally adorable. If only he could have met Misty and not Miriam, then he would have definitely asked for my number.
The whole thing only lasts about 60 seconds, if that. All that waiting for 60 seconds of interaction. But, it was totally worth it and I’d definitely do it all over again in a heartbeat. I (well, Miriam) got to meet Josh Hutcherson. How cool is that??
After that we were corralled inside the VIP section of the Q&A. We were like 4 feet from the stage. It was pretty cool. But what was not cool was having to stand like sardines with a bunch of crazy girls. One girl who was just on the other side of the VIP section was literally sobbing because she didn’t get to meet them. I may have morphed into awkward Miriam, but at least I wasn’t that girl. I actually felt bad for her. For the next hour the crowd begins to grow, and to get excited and to scream more. Until finally the moment all these people have been waiting for all day arrives.
Out walks Liam first. Then Josh. And finally, Jennifer. It pushes people to hysteria.
George and I right after getting to meet the cast.
They spent the whole night laughing!
Josh is absoultely adorable. I’d date a younger guy…as long as it was him. And aren’t guys attracted to older women??
Josh and I made eye contact throughout the night. Be jealous.
How did he know to wear that leather jacket??
They were all so funny! I want to be friends with them!
Jennifer is a babe.
Stop it. Stop being so chummy.
Yeah, she’s looking at me. Probably because George is right behind me yelling something at her.
Liam is a stud.
The whole cast!
Accidental creative shot of the night.
I think I’m in love with this boy.
Bye, Liam!
They wave, and wave, and smile. And finally the crowd settles down enough for them to talk. Questions are asked, but I’m only halfway paying attention. Number one because Josh Hutcherson is mere feet from me, and number two because I can basically tell you verbatim what their answers are going to be (I’m obsessed, I’ve watched a lot of interviews). They receive several marriage proposals, one of them coming from George (Jennifer did agree to marry him. I expect to be invited to this wedding). She had no choice but to notice him when he yelled because a.) he was one of like 3 guys there b.) we were right in front of her and c.) he was taller than everyone else. So her eyes fell on him a lot.
I (and Miriam) played on a different strategy to get Josh’s attention. I played the normal card. In a sea full of crazy, screaming girls, I was the isle of sanity. And it totally worked! He looked at me pretty regularly and we made eye contact a lot. And it’s not one of those crazy wishful thinking things, we really did. I think he might be in love with me (that might be a little bit of wishful thinking).
The Q&A lasted roughly 17 minutes, and then they were done. Throughout the night I found myself pinning their character’s traits on them, and they seemed to match up pretty close. Well, except for Jennifer. She was much funnier than I imagine Katniss to be, she was also a lot more outgoing. Liam was kind of quite, like Gale. He wasn’t cold, or rude, he was charming like the rest of them, just quite. And then there was Josh, who is Peeta. He is charming, charismatic, funny and slightly self-depreciating. He truly is Peeta, which only solidifies my love for him.
Finally it was time to leave. It was a long day, and unfortunately the drive home wasn’t as easy as the drive there had been, but that’s okay, I was still in a pleasant state. It was the longest day ever, but I would do it all again.
momentswithmisty.com 
