(500) Days of My Youth

I just saw (500) Days of Summer and I think its fantastic. It was SO good. I know I say that, but I when I use capital letters, I mean it was SOO good. I went into work today as if I knew the secret to life because this movie created such a high for me. They say right up front "this is not a love story," and, it's not. But, it is about love and the annoyance of love... Seriously, if there is one movie to see this year, it's this.

It's like watching a six year-old open their presents from Santa.

It's like that first week of senior year of college, where you just don't care.

It's like that one moment of happiness, but on the big screen.

It's like thinking this movie was made just for you.

It's like the beginning of the end of the beginning.

It's like every emotion you've already felt before.

It's like being there and knowing that...

So, if there is only one film you see this summer, this autumn or this winter, it's (500) Days of Summer. Did I mention that as a result of this film, I'm finally writing a screenplay? First time in 11 years I've done this... kinda weird... seeing that the last time I wrote a screenplay was when I was 17 years old. Ironically enough it's about the many days of my youth.

4 Years Old!

I normally forget to mention the birth of my blog, four years ago... just as blogs were becoming big. I did however remember that it is July and that a few days ago was the anniversary of when "Think Big" was created.

Yes, my blog is four years old. There have been high times and low times, but all recorded on blogspot nonetheless. While I think my earlier posts are some of my best ones, there have been a few groundbreaking posts here and there.

That said, I hope to continue this fine tradition of blogging with many more great stories to come. I actually have some good ideas brewing as I type.... Coming soon.

What We Inherited from Michael Jackson

“You want what you create to live, be it sculpture or paintings or music or a composition. Like Michelangelo said, 'I know the creator will go but his work survives, that is why to escape death, I attempt to bind my soul to my work.' That's how I feel. I give my all in my work, 'cause I want it to just live and just give all that I have, you know, and it has to be that way.”
– Michael Jackson, Ebony Magazine Interview 2007

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If there is one thing I can say about Michael Jackson is that this guy really gave it his all when it came to his music. After watching again and again his music videos and numerous television appearances and reading countless interviews, it is quite obvious that this guy was one of the hardest workers around.

I have to believe that he really, really loved music. He didn’t have to continue with music after Jackson 5 came to an end. Yet he did, and in a very revolutionary way. When you perform something like the Moonwalk – a move that was based off of break-dancing, which was quite popular at the time and come up with music videos like “ Thriller” and songs like “Black or white,” you are in a league of your own. And you have to be passionate about what you are doing to get there. Yes, Michael Jackson put his soul into his work for all of us to enjoy. In the end, after all is said and done, what we are left with is his music and that’s a great gift to inherit.

Why? Because not a party playlist goes by without a Michael Jackson song. From “ I want you back” to Billie Jean” to “Black or White” – these songs can be recognized within the first five notes and that alone makes them great. Because his dance moves are still being emulated in youtube videos twenty-five years after they were performed. Because MTV (and music videos) probably would not be as successful if Michael Jackson hadn’t pushed the boundaries when it came to this art form. When I think of who we have going for us today – Britney Spears, The Jonas Brothers, Rihanna and the likes – they really bring half of what Michael brought to the table.

When discussing the death of Michael Jackson with my dad, he said he would not put Michael in the same league as The Beatles, Elvis and Frank Sinatra, given that these guys had way more number one hits, some times consecutive and, in the case of Sinatra, a career that spanned 60 years. He even went thought Jackson was not even in the same league as Elton John. But I have to disagree, for the reasons above and, not to mention, Jackson’s career lasted nearly forty years. I really hope that my parents’ generation can see the impact he had on the kids who grew up after them. An album like Thriller - the highest selling album of all time – does not come around often, if only once a generation.

Eventually this media frenzy will die down and we’ll go on with our lives. For now it is Michael 24/7, even at work. You cannot turn a street corner without hearing him from a bar, a cab or an apartment, even my own. I even don’t mind if anyone asks me if I’m ok – Annie are you ok? Are you ok Annie? Unfortunately even though the “King of Pop” is no longer with us, “Smooth Criminal” always will be. Thanks Michael, for giving us so much.

Bo, The Official Portrait

As if we didn't love the Obamas enough, they have to go and release this official portrait of their newest family member, Bo:

PS - Is anyone having a hard time viewing some of the photos I've posted? It seems like they come up as a big X on the screen, depending on which computer I am using. Please let me know if this is the case... Muchas gracias.

Twister: I don't think we are in Hollywood anymore.

I never know when I will ever be able to say the line "I just got back from storm chasing." It may be never again, so I will say it this time. I guess that's one of the thing that makes this experience so rewarding - that it is as unique as a solar eclipse. Most of the scientists would agree; they too considered this a once in a lifetime gig. And it is. The last time a large fleet studied tornadoes it was in 1995 and that was small compared to this year's armada: one hundred scientists (and grad and phd students) from around the world, over 40 vehicles and 30 instruments. Yes, this is the large scientific experiment in history. So here we are, in the center of tornado alley, waiting for a twister to drop.

Of course, as I have learned, there is still debate over whether or not a tornado drops. They still do not know if one forms from the clouds down or the ground up. As one scientist put it, "If it forms from the ground up, we'd have to say the tornado touched up and not touchdown." That is one objective of this mission - to find out more about tornadoes because there is still a lot about them that is unknown. That definitely surprised me, especially since we live in an very technical time.

So I'm on the chase to find out more about mother nature's funnel fury. Several people asked me, "Are you scared?" My answer was no because we are with all these scientists. I thought that the safest time for me to see a tornado would be with these people. However, panic did set in when we initially had to meet up with the armada who were chasing a storm in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception after landing somewhere in the middle west and driving five hours. Basically, if we were chasing them and they were chasing the storm, then how would know if a tornado was not going to come out of nowhere and land on the car? That was my only fear-instilled moment. But we soon caught up with one of the teams and we exhaled.

Most people think this is quite exiting and it is, when you actually have a decent storm with the potential of rotation. But for the other 95% of the time, you are driving and waiting. A passion has to exist to do this for a living, that's for sure. It must be a humbling experience to stand in front of something produce by the same force that keeps the planets in orbit. That's a pretty awesome power, one I would jump at the chance to witness. I'll save you the suspense: we never saw a tornado in the week we were out there. We came close and I definitely watched as rotational clouds passed over us. That moment alone was enough to put me in my place in the universe and, for a second, I lost my breath.

"I don't think we are in Kansas anymore, Dorothy."

I will be posting my adventures of tornado chasing in the midwest within the next day!

Until then, enjoy a preview (following a radar truck through Kansas):

Pink Moon, anyone?

ya know, it is certain instances that make you really understand why you love someone.  i was on the computer, playing some music from the soundtrack "garden state" and seth he requests, "put some nick drake on." he insists. "please - put on some nick drake." it sounded urgent. like he NEEDED to hear nick drake right at that moment and so i put on "pink moon." and, funny as it was, it almost seemed like i HAD to hear nick drake too. as if he knew that....

then we started to listen to a bunch of nick drake songs because once you start with one, you have to continue. it's infectious. if only he was around to know that. with each nick drake song, i could put my past years in context. starting with pink moon. the vw commercial is when i first heard it. it was the summer between my freshman and  sophomore of college. it was the first time in my life a boy actually paid attention to me.  we used to drive around our towns at night and listen to this song again and again. it was such a simple thing to do - listen to songs and drive around, but those nights still resonate within me. (the commercial was clearly conceived by someone like myself). while i could recreate nights like that, it would not be the same. i'd be looking up at the stars wondering how i would get this project done well or how i would direct this scene and other worries you have once you are in the real world.

of course, the song "fly" will hold a special place, but i am not sure if it is in my heart. it was featured in the "royal tenenbaums" which came out in december after 9-11. that film holds pulls at something inside me, for reasons i do not want to go into. but in the film, which boasts an incredible soundtrack, has the song "fly" and of course, it fits so aptly in the film. and i will always remember the scene in which it plays in because it fits so well and because all you hear during this scene really is the song (a nice touch to the film, i do say).

nick drake seems to be a number one choice amongst some of my favorite films because it is also feature in "garden state." it's another great scene using nick drake. the scene, for some reason, would not work quite as well without "one of these things first." and again, does anyone want to go for a long ride across the country listening to this song? i'm ready.

i digress, though. being in love with someone who totally understands how important the music is that you listen to is an annomoly to me. and this isn't the first time (obviously) we'd have this music connection.  it is so hard to find someone who matches up to all that you need them to, truly. having to be goal oriented, determined, trustworthy, good at giving advice, great at listening, being there, adventurous.... you know, all those personal details that need to line up.  but making sure they get you in the music that you play... now that's a rarity.