I have and always will be a Beatles fan. They shaped the way I listened to music. Those four dudes from Liverpool and all the people they worked for (and worked for them), were managed by, were married to, and gave birth to feel like family. Naturally when I got married back in 1998, I danced with my husband to a Beatles song. In My Life, one of the most beautiful love songs ever written.
So what happens when that marriage ends? Does this ruin the song? The nostalgic meaning behind it? I can’t help but remember dancing & singing, looking at my then hubby, while my guests blew bubbles at us. It was romantic! But now I almost feel guilty when In My Life starts playing. Part of me wants to look at my partner of almost twelve years, because obviously, the lyrics are more appropriate in his case. But I don’t want to diminish the memory. Sure, me and the ex-husband didn’t work out, but at the time, that song was REAL. But….. who wants a sloppy seconds love song?
Look, we can’t control our feelings when we hear certain tunes. I’ll just be happy that I had a chance to use In My Life in that way. But what about you people? Did you have a special song with your former love that you still enjoy even after that relationship has gone kaputsy? Do share!
I’ll spare you the comparisons between Joe Hill & his pops, Stephen King. Sure, they’re there, but let’s not discuss it. Genetics. Moving on.
I read Horns before this one, his first novel. I LOVED it. So I wondered what this story would be like; maybe it wouldn’t be as layered. I was pleasantly wrong. Long story short, this is a great rock and roll ghost story with excellent character development, legit fright, and even some laughs. A satisfying ending too, I might add. I will say that all the infected hand wounds throughout Jude & Georgia’s journey bothered me a bit. Whenever something intense was going on, like a crash or scuffle, I kept imagining the blood and pus flying everywhere, since they had to be using their hands during the action. I’m sure this was intended by Joe, but for some reason, that was giving me more heebie jeebies than murderous ghosts at times. I mean, EW.
I saw Stephen King do a talk at George Mason University back in 2011, and got the surprise of a lifetime (for a King fan, anyway) – he read a snippet of his sequel to The Shining! And now I’ve FINALLY read the whole thing. I loved his return to the world of the Torrance family. How in the hell would Danny be dealing with his experience at the Overlook as an adult? Would he still be seeing “pictures in a book”? Oh yes, and then some. The themes of friendship, family, the mentor and the student, alcoholism, and using powers for good are covered brilliantly. Life is a circle, King says, and everything comes back around. Of course there is the scary stuff too. Uncle Stevie knows how to bring it. The group known as the True Knot, vampire like beings that feed on the “steam” of gifted children – extremely creepy and formidable. I’ll never look at recreational vehicles the same way. King’s writing is so familiar to me. Reading this novel was comforting, in some weird way. Tears were shed at the end, not gonna lie.
Podcasts are a fun, great, super duper platform to express yourself on the internet. Like something? Are you funny? Want to share your interests with the masses? Make a podcast. Or, if you don’t want to make one, listen to one or 40. I happen to do both. Me and my wonderfully talented lady friends do the MouthyBroadcast podcast, which is part comedy, group therapy, geekdom, and rant space. It’s great. Feel free to subscribe to our insanity. I also listen to bunch of podcasts, mainly when I’m in my car going to and from work. I’m happy to suggest my favorites, and feel free to tell me yours in the comments! I’m always looking for new ones.
First up, I Seem Fun – The Diary of Jen Kirkman Podcast. I first heard Jen on another favorite podcast (which I’ll discuss in a second). I loved her voice and desire to revive the old 80s show, Puttin’ On The Hits. Remember that show? Here’s a taste:
Anyway, so I decided to check out Jen’s podcast – LOVE IT. You’d think that one person sitting in their bed or couch and talking into a mike would not be engaging or interesting, but not JK. She sings along to songs adorably, dishes about her LA life, reads listener emails, and has the coolest family.
Second podcast on my current fave list:The Fogelnest Files. Here’s the deal: Listen to Jake Fogelnest play random You Tube clips, usually with a cool guest, then watch the clips on his very own You Tube channel (it’s on the provided link). Jake never fails to find some AMAZING stuff. Like a clip from Fernwood Tonight.
Third up, U Talkin’ U2 To Me?. One of my favorite actors, Adam Scott, teams up with fellow Scott, Scott Aukerman, to comprehensively (and hilariously) discuss the career of the best band in the world, U2. They’re only on episode two as of this typing, but if the first one’s an indication of the fun I’m going to have listening, I’ve found what I’m Looking For. Har har har.
I take my fandom seriously, yo. Sometimes I’ll watch a preview of a film and get immediate goose pimples. The inner fangirl in me will call out in ecstasy, knowing THIS SHIT IS SPECIAL. Three times this has happened big enough to keep certain fandoms alive, but only two of them were Oscar predicted by me. The one that didn’t was Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Well, it won a costume design Oscar, and maybe something else, but the heart and soul (and HOTNESS) of that film was denied. I’m talking about Gary Oldman, obviously. I saw him in the trailer to that film and my heart jumped a few extra beats. Behold..
That movie changed my life. And my hormones. I became obsessed with Gary. I watched almost all of his previous movies, and have always given a movie of his a chance. It was great to see him join mainstream franchises like Harry Potter and Batman, and to finally get that Oscar nod for Tinker Tailer Solider Spy – WAY OVERDUE.
Back to the actual Oscar nominated movies that gave me forever fandom. First up, Kevin Spacey. I first saw him in The Ref. He played a kidnapped, constantly arguing husband, and yeah, the movie wasn’t that memorable (it was the first film I saw in a theater high as hell), but Kevin’s face was unforgettable. I sensed brilliance. Of course The Usual Suspects happened, and he won an Oscar. Fantastic. I knew he was capable. But my fervor didn’t hit fever pitch until American Beauty. God, what a spectacular film. Lester Burnham’s malaise, eye rolling, contempt, and longing for something better was made for the artist formerly known as Kevin Fowler. I knew he would win an Oscar the minute I walked out of the theater.
Kevin’s been one of my favorites ever since. I wrote him a fan letter, before American Beauty came out, and I was rewarded with an autographed photo. It’s a treasure in this house. And now he’s Frank Fucking Underwood. If you haven’t watched both seasons of House of Cards on Netflix, I feel bad for you, son.
Next is Russell Ira Crowe. I don’t even remember what film initially drew me to his brawny, vulnerable, Aussie hotness, but I’m guessing it was LA Confidential. I went for the Spacey, and got a bonus Crowe. The guy doesn’t give two shits about what he says/does, will throw phones at people (and look good doing it, I’m sure), and will do the rock star thing occasionally (I almost saw TOFOG live, people), but when you see him ACT, look the hell out. He won the Oscar for Gladiator, yes, and he was GREAT in that one. Don’t get me started on that movie. I love it. I actually made a “I ❤ Russell Crowe” tshirt and wore it with pride at that Oscar party. The same year, I took a public speaking class in college, and for my informative speech, yes, I talked about Mr. Crowe. My visual aid was a clip from the film he should have won an Oscar for, The Insider. Again, behold:
He will always be one of my guys. And one time he tweeted me. After I gave him shit for promoting his album.
@meribirdwell There's nobody else going to tell people, I'm just letting people tell people.Hope you enjoy it if you get a chance to hear it
I really felt bad after that. I didn’t want him to think I was just trolling him. That love is real, yo.
So those are my glorious Oscar men. With a bonus Oldman. I could go into how watching the Oscars the year The Return of the King swept everything, but that’s another post. This was all about the special actor dudes.
Fashion isn’t my favorite part of the Academy Awards, but it certainly is awesome. Glitz. Glamour. Vintage Dior. And stuff. I never care about frocks and designers and Harry Winston jewels unless it’s awards season. The only drawback nowadays is you have to sit through all the awful red carpet coverage to appreciate the gowns and tuxedos. I mean, mani-cams? Really? Kelly Osborne telling me about the nominees’ fashion choices? Blech. The pre-shows are not as fun as they used to be. Alas, I’ll be guzzling Pinot Grigio & suffering through Giuliana Rancic’s “sweeties” and all that bullshit just to catch a glimpse of how gorgeous Jennifer Lawrence is before the ceremony. I mean, look at her last year:
Meri's World 