Let it go this too shall pass

These videos make me proud to be African-American

Admittedly, I know very little about the World Cup-- but I can't help but be fascinated with it. It is the one event in this world that brings every nation together.

The commercials for it are amazing. The Super Bowl gets a lot of hype for their commercials, but they are just kitschy and completely consumer based (and, this year, pretty awful) . World Cup commercials strive for a little more. And, yes, I understand they are still commercials and thus, in some way, still selling something. I appreciate them, though, because they don't sacrifice creativity while doing it. They are inspiring, creative, and capture the excitement attached to these games.

"Wavin' Flag" is probably my favorite commercial so far. According to YouTube, this video has been watched 226,106 times at the time of this post. 36 of those views were me. They used this song in a charity compliation for Haiti. The song is truly beautiful.

Pepsi drafted Akon to be part of their commercial. "Oh, Africa" is a fun little commercial. It even makes me think Akon is redeemable as a performer.

Oh... and click here if you want to see Snoop Dogg with a light-saber. It is an old Adidas World Cup commercial that uses the classic Star Wars "Cantina scene." [credit to Graham for the find]

I just applied to what I think is the coolest school ever. It required that I send a resume and a letter of interest. The letter of interest will be what gets me an interview because my resume looks bleak and sad.

The letter of interest was honest-- but at the same time I felt like propriety was holding me back from what I really wanted to say. Basically I wanted to write them a torrid love letter explaining how much I love progressive education.

I think of this school as most children think of Hogwarts.

Before I applied, I stalked them on Wikipedia and apparently they have offered courses such as: History of the English Language, Art of Tibetan Religion and Culture, Messianic Archetypes in Film and Literature, Glassblowing, and ARCHERY. Seriously-- ARCHERY!

I would work at this school for free.

There have been several schools that I have applied to this year. Applying to all of these schools this year was awesome, though in that I found myself really excited for all of the jobs. After traveling abroad for three months-- I found myself wanting to share my experiences with everyone and not just through pictures (although my pictures are freaking awesome).

So... I'm probably going to go back to school.

Revolutionary Idea: Play outdoors this summer

The summer line-up movies looks overwhelmingly bleak. Summer movies aren't known for their deep plots nor do they rely on heavy symbolism-- but the basic assumption is that they will be entertaining.

How hard is it to crank out mindless popcorn flicks?

Apparently really hard.

Hollywood just bought the rights to make a Magic 8 ball movie.

Seriously.

I am either going to become a screenwriter or buy up the rights to useless things like Hello Kitty or Polly Pockets and wait for Hollywood to write movies about them.

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SUMMER MOVIES

Don't Even Bother...

- Shrek Forever After ~ That is enough, Mike Myers.

- Probably anything in 3-d ~ When will this trend end?

Reliable popcorn flick...

- Salt ~ This movie is getting way too much press because 1) The part was originally written for a male but now a lady is playing the role (GASP!) and 2) The public has an unreasonable obsession with Angelina Jolie. While the plot isn't especially imaginative (1 part "Mission Impossible", 1 part "Bourne" Trilogy) it looks like it could be a good movie.

- Robin Hood ~ Russell Crowe is a pretty reliable action star and this movie looks pretty awesome. Let's just hope that Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett isn't as awkward on screen as it sounds on paper.

- Toy Story 3 ~ Let me first admit my bias for Pixar. I love them and I really think they can do no wrong (let me also say that I have never seen "Cars"... so this statement can still pretty much stand unchallenged). This one of the few franchises where sequels don't automatically make me gag. I don't know whether it is because it is the magical touch of Pixar or that the characters are endearing--

What the Hell...?

- Macgruber ~ I doubt there are any secrets here. This isn't going to be a breakaway hit or a cult-classic. It is an SNL movie that you will see once and forget ("Ladies Man"? "Superstar"?...) the only thing you will remember will be a handful of quotes and then it will go straight to the bargain bin.

- A-Team ~ This might be a good movie... but it looks like it could be so much better.

Movies That Will Probably Be Awesome...

- Iron Man 2 ~ Everyone says that the trailer for this looks mind-meltingly awesome. The only problem is that for every time the trailer airs-- ten other ridiculous cross-promotional commercials air. This is a grim foreshadowing of a movie that will be rife with product placement. The good news is Robert Downey Jr. has rocked at bringing Tony Stark to the screen. I hope this movie, more than any other this summer, lives up to its potential.

- Get Him To The Greek ~ This is the quasi-sequel to "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" (one of the funniest movies of our time- seriously). Judging from the trailer, seeing "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" isn't necessary. "Greek" won't be as endearing as "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" (because it is lacking the amazing Jason Segal) and I doubt the humor will be as varied as "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" (again-- because it is lacking the amazing Jason Segal) but it will be funny. The Aldous Snow character is hilarious.

- Ramona and Beezus ~ Holy Crap! This looks amazing.

- Scot Pilgrim versus the World ~ This movie is based on a comic book... and my life.

GASP-- She said Whaaaaaa?

- Knight and Day ~ Tom Cruise playing a high-strung crazy person? Have the past eight years been one giant method study? If one can get over their hatred for Tom Cruise... I think there is a possibility they will like this movie. I myself am still debating. Hating him is so comfortable--like a warm blanket. I don't know if I am ready to give that up yet...

- Babies ~ Yeah, I said it! Despite my documented disdain for infants- this movie is adorable. It documents the life of four different babies living wildly different lives on different corners of the planet. I watched the trailer couldn't deal with the adorableness ("Awwww look at the babies... they think they're people!).

- Killers ~ Friendships have been lost because of my support for this film but I remain firm: this movie is going to be good. It looks to be in the same vein as "Romancing the Stone." Killers is going to be funny and ridiculous. DEAL WITH IT!

Frankenstein: A Cultural History by Susan Tyler Hitchcock is probably one of the best books out there right now. I admit a complete bias, though, in that I think the novel Frankenstein is perhaps one of the best books ever written (and the fact that it was written by a lady makes it even better-- BOOYA establishment!).

Anyway-- I'll probably gush about the book at a later date. It has so many awesome quotes and amazing observations.

For now, I just want to share with you a random quote. It is a blurb I found on a theater flyer in the book advertising a play based on the novel Frankenstein:

"In every age of the world woman's curiosity has been equalled by man's presumption, and one of the most astonishing events produced by the latter quality is related in Germany, that native country of every thing non- natural."

Seriously-- how many insults are nestled in that one tiny paragraph?

Songs for You

But the Days and Nights are Long ~ by Cheryl Wheeler

Ain't No Grave ~ Crooked Still

Lightweight ~ Jen & Abby

The Devil's Paintbrush Road ~ The Wailin' Jennys

The Littlest Birds ~ The Be Good Tanyas

Home To You ~ Po' Girl