tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75797051009771071392024-03-13T20:35:10.606+00:00Through the lens, at the tip of my pencil"If you fail, at least you tried"ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-4142052935993303502009-11-08T01:40:00.001+00:002009-11-08T01:44:21.549+00:00Dear Abby?Okay Bloggers...<div><br /></div><div>What do you do when you're standing in the middle of a crowded room feeling completely invisible and ridiculously UNattractive?</div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-81073343871674682232009-11-01T20:20:00.002+00:002009-11-01T20:47:38.221+00:00I'll be leaving a piece of my heart in...LutonNever in a million years did I think I'd wind up with such amazing housemates. Granted, never in a million years did I think I'd wind up living in Luton. I know I've mentioned Luton and what a charming little place it is. I adore my friends here. 2 in particular...<div><br /></div><div>After experiencing Filmstock last year I knew I wanted to be here for it this year. The problem was I finished school in Sept and Filmstock is in November. So what's a girl to do? As Lennon/McCartney wrote, "I get by with a little help from my friends". </div><div><br /></div><div>Roma and Neil, two of the greatest people I've ever met, once again opened their home to me. As if that wasn't just an all around amazing gesture in itself...they're just good people. I remember at their wedding reception Neil made a speech and in it said something to the effect of, "if anyone likes me at all it's because of [my mom]". I've met his mom...she is amazing. Their parents are ALL amazing. Neil and Roma are a testament to that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Aside from all the sentimental aspects of living here with them, I've never had quite so much fun with housemates. Whether it's listening to the Monkees while cleaning up, all watching Strictly Come Dancing together, meetings of the "Flack Fan Club", or teasing each other over the validity of vegetarian sausage...there's rarely a dull moment around here. </div><div><br /></div><div>I wish I could articulate how grateful I am for everything they've done for me. My time as a Lutonian is dwindling. It's with a sad heart that I'll be saying goodbye...scratch that, I won't say 'goodbye'. I'll say 'See you later'...I like that better. </div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-53978553240387586262009-03-16T12:05:00.007+00:002009-03-16T13:16:41.563+00:00Under the Moon of LoveOver the weekend my friends Neil & Roma got married. I was afraid that I might not actually make it. I've had such a work load from school. But I spent a couple weeks REALLY working because I knew I would regret it if I didn't go. It was so amazing! The best wedding I've ever been to. <div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYKMyUJiuaqIx6ZQ70XURnYfLxlOEkjqsBfn0jWVtDqm8lv4A1Hu2tyhNVEFsLEFbpWn5sPoXsRtxf27MS51IiUzsBP-TQOJgaUsdjZtUXDSiJUMeGkoGCedTRb2GbUYH466ncvy1_Vc/s200/bride&groom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313762398945036306" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLAiMNmyC9KuAflAh5b1eeqP6l-W8d-Ms4w5kOO4sm5kgvSQETa4tPDAikHh6pRabl9EiY_qimgKyhR1tUuVPBDJm0_z_4a7iE0xu1yFY1A6LV51-6LipL3Y9S_YnVfx2dltACDLoB_0/s200/justin_neil_roma.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313762406390536786" /></div><div> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDX1wPZ_SwuR6ay9XCmol8OBWdTaaljuv-IccStLmPL_xxRie0UWx64BBwAKgStc8Eo1g5qPPi0363G-FDNWUon5Mi_yf-w-z2McESqbL0tCcUJHuZYQZdKMxmellsxWOVqkWk2p2k1Y/s200/neil_roma_justin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313762412199104466" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-w39Q6O8-NlavOo6OU6b1DfyYbzLmO6-oFHZc9po2LVFL-RAaMsPVti4mXlCrw1OAoH4IJu5_2Sk2PTKp20USpga_kuOmi5i85Cu1AvK_xO8JznepYybSgpFAUrvriXcRgTwfJUNsYjI/s200/van.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313762405398271042" /></div><div>They got married on the street where they had their first kiss. Halfway between the houses where their parents live. Our friend Justin got permission to wear a Captain's uniform as he officiated over the ceremony. It was very relaxed and informal which suited the bride and groom; and I loved every minute of it. </div><div> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXd3ddOB11b_yWPp_9mpeBb54uiwB3XB2BoEL6jtJ_VIp5kFIeZabuvxgsZjT5ter5uCfRawBZCwGDBzcnp67ZZYxNDfahpgfzU3yApQsUmzZtVFj8fodwZ1QCc4311lIkAAZSOyBLdk/s200/siz_willow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313763253032743074" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCE8O-vEIHYgGQkLAW-u90msordqqzmw_DacG6EXxXxY277Njwmk8jjLhLu8L0wpdkafK47qlRDWnGAoUXpRk_8VB34Gl51GL2hAoj8reP30ozAdbctMmMAs0w7QtWNI68_bsl6uH-oU/s200/moon_of_love.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313762406267643986" /></div><div> </div><div>After the ceremony the wedding party climbed into this 80's style black van and drove to the reception. The reception! It was like stepping into the Enchantment Under the Sea dance from Back to the Future. It was a prom theme...and just SO much fun. They served "American Diner" food (hotdogs, burgers, fries). This is the way weddings should be! Fun with friends & family. </div><div> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2WsOUyTrDQq3IWdd0Scdz45oYCX-owfIFSLxtfwOscORcGFNOzENUxhq2KYFHIWDJH-UFMlskr0ibDvuX74IpsDxX5PITIVXd97azXr19AzdHcfkFMybCJd7R-3KA-bhq5rZXlLsfvM/s200/prom_queen.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313763255482145874" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-Z6pb29LTuiZhorfDet9ZFwa3FICzrQJxefC2F80TyklGhgTbBtqVUMNMKEwsfwwzHOs0aKFMXdi5mDf48gThWUMO_iWjoYmNReR3gMuUFakbMOkYqJqatB2hwnigPruETRLaILXRHI/s200/prom_king.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313763263701184242" /> <br /></div><div>The first dance was amazing! I can't even begin to describe it. The guy who sang had one of the most amazing voices I've ever heard. The speeches had me very close to tears. Roma's dad was so funny and sweet. Then the best men (Neil's brother Jordan & his best friend Craig) were also very funny and sweet. But Neil's speech. Oh my goodness I wanted to cry so many times. Especially when he said, "If anyone here likes me even a little it's because of this woman [his mother]". Something to that effect. And when he talked about Roma and how much he loves her. So beautiful. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've said it before but I feel like I just can't say it enough. Going to Luton is like going home for me. I feel like I have family there. So many people there have welcomed us with open arms and really look out for us. I feel so blessed to have found that and I feel honored to have been able to share in such a special day for the new Mr & Mrs Fox. </div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoBTT1Spw_oMaUoOz4CU05ciM2B8xQOeKKcWGROcVPE57GAZs4vrI_-sAyLS7o_SvyVgiI0efbMtWdSYd34DqqspUShyP5QtqO4XbLyN4VFiME2PrPqiGVxOO80ECo74W07V2-HcK9rc/s200/72groom_amelia.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313763260337029202" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab9pfGqtjN0ed8kJPq7Dbln0ndBIFpmRa2tCKPG7hkXrESiBw36PfaQzrcUFSp_z-Sxb_LFO4KnUu620zIEOJVCqLcWNXpw8ug16RPsY_JNbgJNxsvNKEbOBfsHqzIvyVSpIs9UXViDY/s200/72MA_Neil.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313763264711229810" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-XT8dEF1gMFuAbbykkQ-JbhwPiyn0kubudFAa-pU4nBzSl5vx1mAxO_h4xI3wuwH0qgi6e5CQ9jVtZZgKfHqrdoR21ACF0RwtEb41vvd6ZBMp7gw1V67dr-nXbzuJD8LZzoZtSyQfXE/s200/72MA_Willow2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313764440788417026" /><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz6r6_Bmgl4usoOjT1k0UDfXLihv_6_8YJOB6pUHk0g1_PDC36P2iIYdE0uOrBWWrzbNbRO0805YSPEApKtbg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>This is a video of the first dance. Not the greatest video but you CAN hear the song.<div> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx5BUqSqEX4sD8n-6GPJyOABdpvMawZh35OWzGzVCZE3Amc87H-7tapHOUUKx2-Ywp8RSG2bBoGqTyLj3C7CQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> This video...also not great. I somehow managed to forget that if I record video w/ my camera on its side I can't flip the video over. But you have to see a little bit of "Johnnie Chocolate & the Milkshake's"!</div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-19603122330753607562009-03-13T18:37:00.002+00:002009-03-13T19:04:10.213+00:00The thing I hate about the film crew is this...There's been a film crew on campus this week. BBC is doing this show about freshman and they're filming at Harrow. Under most circumstances I probably wouldn't mind all of this. Here is what really REALLY bugs me about though...they always seem to be filming either when I'm going to class or leaving class. <div><br /></div><div>On Tuesday they were blocking the bank of elevators that I take to get to my class. Why didn't I take the stairs you ask? Because they were blocking THAT door too....And I really didn't feel like climbing 5 flights of stairs. So, in order for anyone to get on the elevator they had to pass through their shot (yes, I did stop and wait for them to finish the scene) and then step over equipment to get anywhere. Then the film crew all gives you the evil eye for getting in their way!! I'M JUST TRYING TO GET TO CLASS!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe it's me, because you know it's been me lately but shouldn't there be some sort of proviso that they are not allowed to prevent students from getting to their classes? </div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-18257777692979219512009-02-20T19:05:00.003+00:002009-02-20T19:41:44.205+00:00Ray LaMontagneFor my birthday this year Mary Anne bought me a ticket to see Ray LaMontagne at the Barbican. I don't even know where to begin when describing Ray, his music, or my love for said music. I guess, like with most things, I should begin at the beginning. The first time I heard Ray was in 2006 when I was in London for the summer. I was at the studio (where I was doing my internship) and the radio was on. This song called "Trouble" began to permeate through the corridors. I think I nearly stopped in my tracks. His voice was so soulful. The music was just so straightforward. And then he sang that line, "I've been saved by a woman". Something about that line was so powerful. And I don't just mean in that superficial, romantic way of a man talking about being saved by a woman. I guess it was just the honesty in his voice. It got me. Seeing him live just sealed it for me. He sounds just as good if not better live than on the cd. He also doesn't do a lot of talking between songs. Hardly anything really. He just comes out and plays with his band and that's the it of it. He leaves it all up to the music and he absolutely CAN leave it at that. It says it all. <div><br /></div><div>We couldn't take cameras in so I have no pics or footage of my own but I'm posting this youtube video incase you aren't familiar with him. </div><div><br /></div><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3ou2J6CIQ-s&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3ou2J6CIQ-s&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-10665428915659442392009-01-28T18:34:00.005+00:002009-01-28T23:13:51.798+00:00"Graceful Dancing" in London with Blue October<div>"Come in Closer"<br /><embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i686.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid686.photobucket.com/albums/vv224/aavalos79/Blue%20October/MOV01526.flv"></embed><br /></div><br /><div>"18th Floor Balcony"<br /><embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i686.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid686.photobucket.com/albums/vv224/aavalos79/Blue%20October/MOV01541.flv"></embed><br /></div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-32445800338400166992009-01-24T20:15:00.006+00:002009-01-25T15:23:06.377+00:00Inauguration Day...London styleSo...what does a hardcore Obama fan-girl do when she's living in London on the day her new President takes office? <div><br /></div><div>Well, for one she's goes to class. My semester started that day so it was off to "Media Audiences" for me. (Sidebar: for those of you who heard my complaints over Christmas that no one on the entire campus seemed to know what the heck media audiences was...it's a theory class about how <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">audiences</span> react to various types of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">media</span>...go figure). After class two of my fellow Americans and I popped over to Madame Tussauds because they were letting Americans in for free! They were unveiling their new Obama figure. It was very cool. First, because I have always had this weird fascination with wax museums. Secondly, because of all the Americans that were there. Third, standing in the replica of the Oval Office next to "Mr. Obama" was very cool.</div><div> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOlX1Az7nketL-ABtg7cEyyJTMUWx0r_b0wtv93xyB1u6dN76nuZ_eGfyFZn56KVUVVggXNDZvEvIV0wq9u_IKcMHGwz6F5YnFgLaXayB3HfvYj_hDS7EcUp3qN1su9SZ_LrFWCUsXSw/s200/Obama09+012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294966299136881938" />Then we headed over to the Hard Rock Cafe. <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNy-FhXQed2uEUGDQLKk3lHzsWQvcHiLPvSfeerDi0WRytxthF7uD6Zh6qK6m1WgTcgW3iJLRZ2xp0vhWGbJZi3OfyFl_P6fGA94X_yAIaBQQuGclAenXN07q4a-XUXk6K63bosYMd48/s200/HR10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294966303192830802" />I had heard they were having a big party and broadcasting the inauguration. So we went and had lunch...and found out they were not actually showing it in the dining area. They were showing it downstairs in a separate part of the restaurant which was all booked up. Our waitress was really sweet and kept updating us on what was going on. She told us they were going to do standing room downstairs and when we finished our lunch we could go line up at the side entrance to try and get it. I couldn't believe there was a line down the sidewalk. We were fairly close to the front of the line. Everyone was really nice. There was a couple in front of us from Arkanas. The woman was passing out Obama buttons and bumper stickers that she had brought with her. When we got to the front of the line a woman came out and told the doorman she had a table w/ 3 extra seats...perfect for Mary Anne, Julia, and myself.</div><div> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDlrI-W399ZBJEvwbQQqIWIfWplxgMxYAWCS2j8E07cCSqyk6ZRk0yrhBKFZlKY5NyzePI2XegIwPaK0ZFbcYQMUfP2qbFt6LusVRCZb2ANlJhgGmKBIXEzOFmfHEsE16pyoDuufvjLw/s200/IMG_3143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294966328863105906" /></div><div>So we ended up with seats a table right down in front. </div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckZN7KKNDE55cCc8AEGzAfXoTf9HWHutRfhQRUyurwntn2cXielcqVcUDmG6mj7YmNsaCFk3vmtIpQVX1vH4afD1ta-SPSY1kUNJcL0fIYKX2TPq8cj6OBYYd-QxpuOJt-hPEe7zHbjI/s200/HR8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294966314492036882" />The place was packed. There was an Obama look-alike taking pictures with everyone. There was tons of paparazzi. And they were showing the speech on a big screen. I know it's been said but can I just reiterate how amazing it was to watch (and experience) all of it. Seeing the millions of people in DC who were there to show support. Seeing Obama take the oath. Listening to his speech. I won't lie, I was in tears. Witnessing the culmination of years (decades!) of work. Knowing that a change IS being made.</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8qvzAmWM0R3TCy324WmI1DDbr0GAFOxJckbgIhTsKo8xZLD9WdKTBQt3TKhVZuxIMcbUapVHynAIOhA_a7gW6lWUbZBZFY6IOAZ1MylpJNJJniToSvC4wuhjY3BESn40tijlOeU78UQ/s200/HR3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294966321986208994" /></div><div>Perhaps what made the moment 10x more amazing was believe it or not, being HERE. That restaurant was not just full of Americans. It was everyone! The support people from other countries now have for us is amazing. Knowing we are beginning to shake the stigma of being...America. I can only liken it to being a kidnapped child who finally escaped their captor. There's going to be a lot of readjusting (maybe even a little therapy) but ultimately, we have the support of a whole lot of people who, frankly, were showing very little sympathy because we had gotten ourselves kidnapped in the first place. </div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-77995627155581286282009-01-18T23:20:00.002+00:002009-01-19T00:06:43.051+00:00Dear Joaquin,I'm trying to be supportive. Really I am. I'm not one of those girls who walks away from someone during difficult times. Believe me. I've been a die-hard Houston Astros fan practically my entire life and lord knows they've broken my heart on numerous occasions. I still get a little misty thinking about 2005, but I digress. <div><br /></div><div>Joaq, Joaq, Joaq...I don't know how much more I can give. You wanted to quit acting and I was okay with that, difficult as it might have been for me to accept. You have such an amazing presence on screen. I can understand you feeling slighted. Twice you've been nominated for an Oscar and twice you MORE than deserved it. But you were overlooked. Once because Benecio Del Toro was the "it" boy in Traffic and once because Philip Seymour Hoffman, who I will admit is usually good but in this film was horribly overrated, was getting irritating amounts of praise for portraying probably the easiest person (squirrelly little man that he was) in the world to imitate. No one will ever convince me that Hoffman deserved the Oscar more than you that year (just like no one will ever convince me that Tommy Lee Jones deserved the Oscar for playing practically the same character he plays in all his films more than Leonardo Di Caprio did for Gilbert Grape). </div><div><br /></div><div>I also know that it's easy to get bored doing the same job for as many years as you have. And it could be just as easy to harbor negative feelings toward an industry that, in some part, took your brother from you. Fine. I get that. You wanted to take up music. I get that too. You can't have played Mr Cash as beautifully as you did and not have remnants of his character seeping through your veins. </div><div><br /></div><div>But this is what it's come to, Joaquin? Rap? Seriously? Rap? It's gonna be like this, is it? I don't hate rap. I actually have some rap in my music collection. And not just old school Will Smith stuff either. I have some Nelly. Ok, he's not exactly hardcore either but the point is, I'm fine with rap. But what you're doing...Sweetie, that's not rap. You're up on stage looking like a homeless Mexican jumping bean. Your lyrics (rhymes?) are barely intelligible. And then you're falling off the stage too. They're calling you "Joke P" on the internet for goodness sake!! </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know what else I can do, Kitten. I'm truly at a loss. I am nothing if I'm not loyal. Suffice it to say this isn't your third strike or anything. It may only be your first...I'm still debating on whether or not to hold the "is there a frog on my head" conversation against you or not. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm still here for you, but keep in mind there is an Englishman with rock-n-roll genes who suits my nerdy fancy, a Scottish Doctor who has cool toys and likes to travel, and a Houston Astro all poised to receive a piece of my heart. </div><div><br /></div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-4372562854202963542009-01-14T22:07:00.003+00:002009-01-14T22:35:31.688+00:00Crimson & Clover (working title)When I was a senior in high school I took creative writing one semester. This was a class tailor-made for me. I LOVE to write. It's one of the few things I think I can do fairly well. For our final we had to write a short story. <div><br /></div><div>So I wrote this story about a high school girl who meets a teacher outside of the school environment and they begin dating. It was something I came up with because (I think) there were a couple of guys in my life at the time (that, yes I had crushes on) who were several years older than me and I started to spin that crush into a story. </div><div><br /></div><div>The thing is, at the time I think I was too young to write it objectively. That and while my writing skills were decent I do think I've improved since then. Being the age that one of the two main characters was it always seemed to transfer to paper one-sided and I never wanted it to be completely one-sided. </div><div><br /></div><div>I picked it up again a couple years ago and started writing on it. I finished last weekend. I think I've finally reached a point where I'm satisfied with it. That is to say it is now a complete story. More could be added to it certainly and like any artist I do think it could still be improved on, greatly, but as it is right now it goes from point A to point B in a manner that makes sense. </div><div><br /></div><div>The short story I wrote in high school was called Crimson & Clover. This I know was for a specific reason. While the crushes on the older guys gave me the plot the genesis of the story was an image in my mind. The first time I heard the song I was sitting in my dad's truck. As soon as I heard the first line, "Oh, now I don't hardly know her" I was hooked. In my mind I heard the song and I saw a guy standing in the middle of this field. I saw him turning around and seeing this girl. That's where it started. From there I just fashioned the story around it. </div><div>"Oh, now I don't hardly know her, but I think I could love her. Crimson & Clover." </div><div><br /></div><div>As it is now, it could still carry the title "Crimson & Clover". It does work. I put "working title" in quotes to show it doesn't necessarily have to have that. </div><div><br /></div><div>At any rate, I finished. Enough that I can stand back from it for a while...maybe get some feedback from some people and go from there. </div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-51206135903672523052009-01-14T22:06:00.001+00:002009-01-14T22:07:40.135+00:00Hi, my name is Amelia...and I'm addicted to Horlicks. It's true. Screw hot chocolate. Horlicks is the way to go. Seriously. ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-23118454165230907792009-01-02T01:14:00.003+00:002009-01-02T01:17:47.994+00:00Blogger is being LAMEand not uploading the longer video of the fireworks. All I can get is the countdown and auld lang syne. SO...i'll keep trying. ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-21877044525733670642009-01-01T23:47:00.004+00:002009-01-02T00:37:49.229+00:00The Countdown and Auld Lang Syne<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxTSnnJMfVtop1eqoPsG6BJs4ktmM_x4a3qLpeuOlAeIpG6qBT8ATBNUHuVr6fk0pIOY3muYNoxM9ekycAO1w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> <div><br /><div><br /></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy4WyqI6356XCiQgCwEAmbakmmNP_MeIgo-e-pszpAWbOjwSOujmfMZsGCwvmUKysgLcbojNywjTRmWn9_Z0Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-85282463248317393052009-01-01T23:33:00.003+00:002009-01-01T23:47:12.804+00:00Happy New Year!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_hu7FYMHdVkGm_fJXDm7P6vPD0yP2XPgP3slPrTr4dx2c57SlTfZ8Gq8A_st_C3B_zQZ4uVfcK9R9QOZk0ZwvP5rE0xgkcV6xjF2HP83v3eZEvFIc1VW-MDhIhDvshPdwyFfv23ORrA/s1600-h/eye_bigben.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_hu7FYMHdVkGm_fJXDm7P6vPD0yP2XPgP3slPrTr4dx2c57SlTfZ8Gq8A_st_C3B_zQZ4uVfcK9R9QOZk0ZwvP5rE0xgkcV6xjF2HP83v3eZEvFIc1VW-MDhIhDvshPdwyFfv23ORrA/s200/eye_bigben.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286476005366820818" /></a><br />I'm not usually one for going out on new years. It just never really appealed to me. But I figured this year, why not. Let's see how London does new years! Then Roma told us she and Neil were probably going to come to town for it because they'd never been. All the more reason for us to go. So. We went to the Southbank. They had closed Waterloo Bridge so people could just hang out and party and watch fireworks. We met up with Roma, Neil, Edel, and Andy. It was SO much freakin' fun! It was cold but there were so many people around and they were playing music so we were all dancing and jumping about. What a fantastic way to ring in the new year! <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNGDTZ4KSekFh4RdHgKZoq6u2NlN7tvXF1P4z-XYGBFxCGJcNCDhqN65D_fPhDQQPvhi7ydau0ifB5GKMfOgOwZHWyK_37VZCy7_DXtkgmIxFAKZ_4dEww6UrwnoJQ7FGzw1bCva86BY/s200/ma_me_roma.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286475749538862770" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGlgqEihAqec-2MSqOq4KpY-HKHjZI8dZG_-5vc8VqYtiSmUwQKpx3ng-SGYVY1KHJJHAHC17WE_3rDqoT5zMr7txAeelhG0-ql5lSJVhnDDxEltdiu_Z0w4eP-wNhyCIBj1hbsbf-5M/s200/me_neil.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286475754540147922" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygL_XTCb4lHdmh-SBapLDnEwv9sZCoKVCdXMfmM2nCahTHGZAploAqn2sDqufkoHFsvka6MteFKQ0QJTmj4Vm0HiR-tKbJKF9fpIYxMyVRIGNhkw5480R1OS9JpHq6pkiSAu94gOKDeQ/s200/new_year.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286475757135497810" /><div><br /></div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-66390175189405417062009-01-01T21:56:00.005+00:002009-01-01T23:33:03.923+00:00...and so that was Christmas!And what a Christmas it was. <div><br /></div><div>I won't lie...I missed my family & friends back in Texas. I missed freezing my butt off one day and walking around in jeans & t shirt the next. I missed going to the galleria and seeing all the lights and the big tree in the middle of the skating rink. I missed eating tamales with my grandparents and dad, and aunts, and cousin on Christmas morning. I missed my mom making me bunuelos. </div><div><br /></div><div>BUT. I'm really REALLY thankful that I got to be at my "home away from home". Luton. I know I don't have to remind you how awesome I think Luton is. I will however remind you how</div><div> amazing my friends (cousins!) there are. </div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLYLq_WLwn_P4lV-4daQBfzaIaifBrHRqCpDyaAtc8JnfLNPL-Xhiihv5McatLgL9YAAgOfygxZc_6ZUdN98T2hiMoqcdliyyCz43XyLGnKA-R_SpiE9QqZ9nlt_3tR_CqQT05wLG7DY/s200/xmas_tree.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286471974599434610" /><div><br /></div><div>Neil & Roma invited Mary Anne & I to spend the holidays with them. (London is great but I think I breath a sigh of relief whenever the train pulls into Luton.) It still amazes me that they constantly open their home to us as they have. It is something I would do if the situation were reversed but it's still a great thing to experience. </div><div><br /></div><div>I feel almost like a child when I go there. Only because they taught me how to work the tv/dvd/stereo so all they have to do is sit me down in the living room and I'm good. They have</div><div> a massive dvd collection and I have a serious addiction to movies. The first night we watched It's a Wonderful Life which I've never seen before. (Yes, I know...SHAME, thy name is Amelia!) I loved it. Jimmy Stewart is a-mazing. </div><div><br /></div><div>The next day we joined in on the Christmas Eve pub crawl that started w/ bacon sandwiches around 10 (or 11). By mid-afternoon people had quite a few drinks in them and most of us had Santa hats. By far my favourite event of the day was dodgems. (Bumper cars for those of you in the US). We all played a rousing game of Capture-the-Santa-hats. It was</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gfTZdny0Mwt3ki2YuX4abEfCym0SmNT2aLdisQXy1WD-Cmyiu_ZV8gkTh8vtbr21VMcnxD5E8qkai2wAuNF42_lQpghpowMCmKjjYLoA4b5iXpS96JBuoALxOfK7XTRKIiGvkOwTxtA/s200/me_justin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286470296777228466" /><div> so much fun. Between trying to drive, people standing up in their cars to pull your hat off your head and the guys running the place yelling at us to "Stay in your car" and "Keep your hands in the car" it was just crazy-fun. We all had dinner that night and some people kept going. We jumped off the party train. </div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tbmE9zyehwK9I5vaTgq-ANapLArXPBqofx4M3yrKr1Yzqlza3C9-0e2pGS3yUdQ5QLAPyLM_olumrFwVKldQm_-NSQgd2CRQe6_a9LFkBE9CI0D5vUQOYf5iMFnWsN3ns1OR-2_YiPg/s200/dodgems.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286469166299607330" /><br /></div><div>Christmas Day Neil came and got us and we had Christmas dinner with Roma & her family. Her parents are so great. They even gave us these cute Tweety bird picture frames. That evening we went over to Neil's parents, hung out and played games. I love how into playing games everyone is. And Neil's mom is such a cool lady. The fact that she made an effort to include "the Americans" in the Pass the Parcel game meant so much to us. And we're still cracking up about Neil's dads driving stories!! </div><div><br /></div><div>On Boxing Day our friend Willow came and got us and we had lunch with him and his family. They were also really cool. The food was really good and the Christmas pudding! Holy crap Christmas pudding is so good! Is that weird of me to say? Oh well...it's good stuff. That night we went to another friend's house and played games there too. Andy & Edel are really cool. BUZZ is so much fun I can't even begin to tell you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday, Roma & Neil took us shopping. That was actually a lot of fun too. I got these really fantastic slippers. We came back to the house and spent the rest of the evening watching movies. 30 Days of Night-really good! Hellboy 2-really good! </div><div><br /></div><div>I would have liked to have stayed longer. I'd probably actually live there if I could work it out somehow. This holiday I was really thankful. Thankful that everyone back home is doing well and thankful that I have such an amazing family here too. </div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-29987528735901092482008-12-29T19:14:00.002+00:002008-12-29T19:41:49.683+00:00Happy Holidays!So - i haven't posted in a while and the reason is...The Doctor and I took the Tardis and have been traveling around. We hung out with Shakespeare at the Globe for a while then popped into the future for a few days. Ok-not really. Although, I probably would follow the Doctor just about anywhere...let's face it, I see David Tennant and I instantly become a 14-year-old girl all weak in the knees and giggly. <div><br /></div><div>Truthfully, finals started kicking my ass and when you're working on an MA in journalism ALL YOU DO IS WRITE!!!! Coming here to write about stuff just wasn't that appealing to me. I apologize. Then, I left London for a week to hang out with my extended family in Luton. What a crazy & chill time that was!!! There's so much to share. (Another time but SOON, i promise). </div><div><br /></div><div>Now I'm fighting a losing battle with a cold. And in between just wanting to stay in bed all day and watch CSI: NY (Det. Messer - YUM!) and making a huge dent in a box of Kleenex I've been working on an essay that's due in a week. MORE WRITING!! and not fun writing. Boring writing. 2500 words on human rights & "practical implications for journalism" kind of writing. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's my story for now. I've hit 1412 words and plan (haha-plan) to knock the other 1088 words out this evening. Not a problem, right? ...now where did I put that flux capacitor so I can go back a week?</div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-2413377704001617122008-12-01T15:44:00.003+00:002008-12-01T20:48:14.523+00:00Total number of videos my professor has shown featuring himself:WAY TOO MANY TO COUNT!!! <div><br /></div><div><br /></div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-31550197249023893702008-11-27T22:18:00.005+00:002008-11-27T23:00:55.875+00:00Total number of celebrity sightings: 8<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QLxm_HtMSAIDoXVkvf_wSzH8Qa9BMXZ4-NCQI5QANaUm1N5VRKRKTh7J3fwTlkYaedcDPd7AjSRCFiiWLEK-xvtFB9awEKiEbxrwyFZ-80Z-NyAIz231R2jN5nVWAU9stPJWy9ME5uc/s1600-h/Graham_Norton.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QLxm_HtMSAIDoXVkvf_wSzH8Qa9BMXZ4-NCQI5QANaUm1N5VRKRKTh7J3fwTlkYaedcDPd7AjSRCFiiWLEK-xvtFB9awEKiEbxrwyFZ-80Z-NyAIz231R2jN5nVWAU9stPJWy9ME5uc/s200/Graham_Norton.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273470853682053426" /></a><div>We went to a taping of the Graham Norton Show last night. It was so much fun. He is so funny!! Also, I was really amazed by how great he is at his job. It's an hour long show on tv. Obviously, it's not actually that long because of commercials, but I was really expecting for it to go longer than it actually did. I figured there would be stops for technical issues or if something didn't get filmed the way they wanted. There was nothing like that. We got in to the studio and got our seats, it was all very organized. The warm-up guy came out and explained a bit about how it would go. Then Graham came out and talked to the audience for a few minutes. When he finished he said, ok the next time I walk out we'll be starting and that was it. The show started & they filmed straight through. No issues at all. It was quite impressive.</div><div>On the way to the show we were talking (I went with Mary Anne and our housemate Helen)</div><div>about who we thought might be guests. We all agreed we didn't really</div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82iVXTDqUCMpbfmTVGAHoS-g44sf-tpmY3IngCgp-L-So-BFdcA6bmzRL6ZHp1ZDWqoUQND7hKeXcgwWjzc3e8rbWm_N3wAr6KBWzUBYmMjTUsCsyVH8gnUG4KVSg8T5zuKsoIkxMGcM/s200/Reese+Witherspoon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273472532646051314" />care we just wanted it to be someone we recognized. Imagine my </div><div>shock when Graham said, "If I said the name Witherspoon..." Oh my gosh! Reese Witherspoon! Ms. I-played-June-Carter-and-totally-got-to-make-out-with-Joaquin-Phoenix. I did have a crush on her for a while but I've gotten over it. It was still really cool to see her though. She's teeny tiny (of course) and she had these a-mazing shoes on. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Oh yeah...he had another guest. Paul O'Grady. I'm actually not very familiar with him. I know he hosts a show here but I don't have a tv so I've never seen it and don't really know anything about it. He was pretty funny. It was a really great show to watch. It airs in the States</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 187px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3iVu-1pth6fdLFOqaLsrjKj294oN1TZevbkxGnYc2QONZUxqvA2mOxeJhq4e3ppLu_ERQh5RYy4GwXibrAfeE1ef9gCwQJZ7fjqdW_ZQyUJ3Uh6OM8Bz5-DzkEFYqc0CwaHA_bef90w/s200/paulogardy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273475486204673922" /><div>on Saturday nights if you have BBC America. Definitely check it out. Graham is really funny. </div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-19451671358662805312008-11-27T21:48:00.007+00:002008-11-27T22:17:22.326+00:00Stephen Lynch...yeah THAT guy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dRpA9AabAarntUGlZOE0Eb2wHp48ADpQ0lrJPFNr_UITB1c9pGEJbCIV2L12DyX7yuh_Nmd3Za0mR0b_ip6b5oXqGotcz_AidginOHSb8AbHU4RAxZDq1OznVKYl3mGqtrI6NaTuub4/s1600-h/Lynch_WEB.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 122px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dRpA9AabAarntUGlZOE0Eb2wHp48ADpQ0lrJPFNr_UITB1c9pGEJbCIV2L12DyX7yuh_Nmd3Za0mR0b_ip6b5oXqGotcz_AidginOHSb8AbHU4RAxZDq1OznVKYl3mGqtrI6NaTuub4/s200/Lynch_WEB.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273461649385320498" /></a>Last Saturday we went to see Stephen Lynch. For those who are not familiar with his work he's a comedian from America. The thing is his act is all songs that he's written. Really crazy, disturbing, obscene songs that are HILARIOUS. <div><br /><div>It was a lot of fun. He played Shepherds Bush Empire which is an amazing venue. Outside there is a traditional marquee that you just don't see a lot of in the States. Before the doors opened they had 2 lines and both were stretching clear to the back of the building. It was insane. You would have thought the Killers were playing or something. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Stephen was geat. He did a lot of new material (hopefully he'll have a new cd out soon). I loved his song <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Waiting</span>, about waiting for the results of his AIDS test. Yes, these are funny songs. He did old favorites like <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Craig Christ, </span>about Jesus's lesser known brother. There was the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Little Gay Robot</span> song, which is really more of the beginning of a song he has yet to write. He brought out his friend David Josesberg to do the song <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Dirty Sanchez. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;">The crowd was pumped. It was like we were at a Man U game the way the guys in the balcony were screaming. It was a lot of fun. Exactly what we needed to take our minds off of school work for a while. For the encore he came out and did <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Special Ed </span>which is probably his most popular song. You know the one, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">'Special Ed. Momma dropped him on his head. Now he thinks he's a piece of bread.'</span> Yes...he's THAT guy.</div><div style="text-align: right;"> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3C3IMfBE_Q0kJtPhV4hOAB2ngNCtdtaAv-cvBiHMLbocDKrwS6XZ5kM0pOK3krbuQPhQINNXFrpiOC5QjJTiv9JE_-WLuY1motUJQ-npyv1s6DoJeyctKZgIs1z9AJ-N-sVARfA1IZc/s200/Lynch2_WEB.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273462708066649122" /><br /></div></div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-6277040186685200792008-11-22T13:19:00.002+00:002008-11-22T13:27:09.011+00:00Total number of celebrity sightings: 5<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Noel Gallagher</span> of the band <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Oasis</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfmQGE6veaiZBMw0sARKNKOTTDjJq6fA4a3Qgwbg0eOgSNiOdO2mcOst93Fvboxg9JHGHDm5KAmEd7OnhdLbW8zEwNMPGoxwTBurZlYYO9YTbHAEEZQ0mnglAzRdd98_-bAMGGEBjrTo/s200/noel-gallagher.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271471648751711522" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>I was back in our old neighborhood, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Marylebone</span>, wandering around and stopped in the health food store I used to get my soy milk from. I turned around and in walked Noel. He went straight to the back of the shop, grabbed two fists full of energy bars and took them to the counter. He was perfectly polite to the girl who was working there. He was wearing dark jeans and a red shirt. I did have my camera with me but I thought I might look a little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">suspicious</span> taking pictures of banana chips or hazelnuts. </div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-41990464090546088302008-11-22T13:12:00.002+00:002008-11-22T13:19:47.397+00:00Total number of celebrity sightings: 4<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Former Mrs. Paul McCartney</span>, Heather Mills<div><br /></div><div>I nearly ran into her on Oxford St. She looked very business-like and had her hands full of shopping bags, all stuff bought with Paul's money no doubt. No...I didn't knock her over or kick her. I did, however, find this really unflattering picture of her which I think is awesome! </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKuSjo3Win58sQmDZG1C6rK2qPALuQpze8rTaaiCbHaBDkGZRW5ZdFPpBgmUukVuB_AlgZ2sbuiH5cBz4sfWXTYHgqBxC7lR1_q0MBykjoVb5TaRilTDnHlFYii-0XKo1HxIgH03IaDU/s200/heather-mills4_252404y.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271470881821407362" /></div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-46843939492345373302008-11-22T13:06:00.003+00:002008-11-22T13:12:21.462+00:00Oh my darlin, Oh my darlin, Oh my darlin, CLEMENTINEI gave up chocolate 3 weeks ago. I gave up sodas 1 week before that. Sodas really haven't been too bad. Chocolate has been rough...you have to know how much I love chocolate...but I haven't had a single bite or drink. I have however developed another addiction. I can't stop eating clementines!! Yes, the little mini-oranges if you will. I can't be certain if I've ever had one before but this is what I know: I haven't eaten an orange in more years that I can count because, frankly, I don't like them much. As far as fruit goes, citrus is rather far down on the list. I do love orange juice but only if it doesn't have pulp. So I have no real explanation for my new clementine fixation (I'm eating about 6 a day) but it is an improvement from chocolate I suppose. ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-11290286561754251032008-11-22T12:58:00.002+00:002008-11-22T13:03:16.469+00:00Total number of celebrity sightings: 3<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Nicholas Roeg</span><div>Director of: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Don't Look Now</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Man Who Fell to Earth</span></div><div>He was at Filmstock</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSqW9T9Y5RMTdwpNaBQ-iBMcYXsRPhnA81WnSZcQfin0qzkn0UlMvq-C9d_0qLrj3DhhZ4hsEFXTB837Wvjkv8apZBPN8HMH9ZN1Qoi7xemxCn0NKQ87qVTUdZATjdyGCrSy4aOEoTpw/s200/RoegWEB.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271466424102975650" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KBAAZTxggRcVNDBgD7cvgfckfA6-S8t1ckcBsScCo0NCmp3N_zUBW9dRJwGP1lc4qJj2Wvn7Ilu74oGIc-J-NuNtzWarnvvFD1LzNTMWILlfR294vcZoTHxxJNi5-ItpFCi88-GWEGo/s200/Justin_RoegWEB.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271466424666248834" /><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">chatting w/ Justin</span><br /></div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-73607719123356025552008-11-22T12:53:00.004+00:002008-11-23T18:37:00.711+00:00"Fully Stocked" indeed!!<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I’m a week late with this. All I can say is I’ve been busy with school work. Maybe not the best excuse but it’s all I’ve got. We went to FIlmstock for the closing weekend. It’s so amazing to go to Luton and feel right at home. Everyone is really great to us. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The second weekend @ Filmstock is mostly documentaries. There were some really amazing ones like <i>Naming Pluto</i></span><span lang="EN-US">, about the woman who named Pluto (the planet not the Disney dog). <i>99 to 1: Ovarian Cancer and Me</i></span><span lang="EN-US">, about a woman dealing with her cancer diagnosis. <i>For Tomorrow</i></span><span lang="EN-US">, about a young entrepreneur who goes to Argentina seeking relaxation and instead discovers extreme poverty and decides to do something about it. <i>1 Giant Leap</i></span><span lang="EN-US">, is an amazing look at philosophy, music, and artistic and spiritial inspiration around the world.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We also had a chance to see Nicholas Roeg talk about his career and watch his latest feature, Puffball.</span></p> <span lang="EN-US" style="Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-USfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One of the best films we saw (and I’m really not just saying this) was Neil and Justin’s </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Clandestine</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-USfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. It’s this wonderful short that I don’t think I could even begin to describe because I just don’t think I could do it justice. If you ever find yourself in Luton or in the presence of Justin and/or Neil, ask about it. You won’t be disappointed.</span></span><!--EndFragment-->ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-41311792646670227492008-11-14T15:17:00.004+00:002008-11-14T16:57:14.038+00:00Not "fully stocked" ...yetI know I've mentioned before my friends, Neil & Justin...who live in Luton...and do a film festival every year called Filmstock...and are just all-around great guys. I've known them for almost 3 years and have never had the good fortune to be in the UK during Filmstock. Until now. <div><br /></div><div>Filmstock kicked off one week ago. We were there for opening night and stayed through the weekend. This is by far the best film festival I have ever been to. Okay, so it's the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">only</span> film festival I've ever been to...and they are my friends but, ignore all of that. This is not a massive event when compared to Sundance or Cannes but I dare you to find a festival that has as much heart as this one. It started 9 years ago with two guys who shared a love for film and that's still true today. You won't find any flash or celebrities walking red carpets. You walk in the door and you're greeted by a smiling face, sometimes 2, one of which is usually Neil. When you go in to watch a film Justin is the one running the projector. They haven't given the reigns to anyone...it's still theirs as much as it ever was and always will be. </div><div><br /></div><div>Opening night was a film called Choke starring Sam Rockwell and Anjelica Huston. VERY good. (I'm not telling you about it...Go see it!!) The remainder of the weekend was devoted to shorts. Filmstock is a "hardcore" festival as one of the directors put it. From Friday night to Sunday night there are 12 different sessions, each one showing 9 or 10 short films. In addition they screen a few features. After a weekend of this you'll be thinking 3 things...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">1-</span>My ass hurts! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">2-</span>Can I watch a couple of those again?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">3-</span>How the hell did Neil & Justin narrow down thousands of submissions? (I couldn't have done that). Yes, in that order. </div><div><br /></div><div>I could go through and list all the shorts that I watched and loved and what they were about but you'd be here for another 20 minutes (if you are in fact still here). So I'll just mention a few of my favourites. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Blood Actually</span>*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The Tourist</span>*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Angel</span>*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">N</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">ightwalking</span>*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Thirteen or so Minutes</span>*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Mr. Lux*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Canbury</span>*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Arcadia*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Whatever Turns You On*Albert*Out of the Holes of the Rocks*Hikikomori*Cheeese</span></div><div><br /></div><div>As much as I enjoyed the films, the best part of the festival had to be meeting so many great people..and creative people at that! I really felt in my element. I met people who were not filmmakers but were so much fun to hang out with (Jo and Sarah!) and I met filmmakers who were just fantastic to talk with (Alex, Declan, Jeremy, Branden, Jonathan, and Adam). </div><div><br /></div><div>I really wish I could have stayed all week (it doesn't end until Sunday) but I had classes to go to. At any rate...SO MUCH FUN!! I really enjoyed it..."9 times" (and then some). </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7579705100977107139.post-4120917119609795522008-11-11T21:24:00.006+00:002008-11-11T21:35:35.233+00:00A look at what some of the publications here ran last week<div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDo2eLOlzKHb3Xs31-N_8j6rywW8er6bMBHPRDspbBQwZpXFXU8Rvpr-cPQTs1dplMgNSg1S7yhEs6BKTQa0MWTfERuev9xxC3vN0q8EkgqtAuIavLezwn9_MYCEZA3-MOJD-mrrbKBdw/s200/the_independent.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267514387202218210" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 174px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VPYSMMiRwha8rsPHpmMdQXYsug7OI3hcea_k3P0RipgDPGcSLG_iaP9jZOf_Mwit_x9540hZaNeUTHMl0Y9oVzJoCDVRoH3VhuEnp1eIYyuEAcXw_SSqE6vs7cItkIDaSqA0wLG3rTw/s200/the_times.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267514395917911954" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 164px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDWBtYU2FRaLqS_PyVSqB-MW4myXoFCSYiw3cZi9vJLMcJcCLyI62x2iLSVMimmlbvE5O_4SD27UihPIDvHyYMCKCGiFyoF0iP7EvK6HOx0OFglnNo9VOh6nCH4QipM11LqlOTNwZRCM/s200/Metro.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267514406998149538" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDWBtYU2FRaLqS_PyVSqB-MW4myXoFCSYiw3cZi9vJLMcJcCLyI62x2iLSVMimmlbvE5O_4SD27UihPIDvHyYMCKCGiFyoF0iP7EvK6HOx0OFglnNo9VOh6nCH4QipM11LqlOTNwZRCM/s1600-h/Metro.jpg"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDWBtYU2FRaLqS_PyVSqB-MW4myXoFCSYiw3cZi9vJLMcJcCLyI62x2iLSVMimmlbvE5O_4SD27UihPIDvHyYMCKCGiFyoF0iP7EvK6HOx0OFglnNo9VOh6nCH4QipM11LqlOTNwZRCM/s1600-h/Metro.jpg"> </a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHejJw_MaQJw1UjwSNLz944_hELlnKegCZ5RfndMUtg3LSIfghFp-qB1wPO6C9VXE9b_wIKLyv27WSdNakri8Cc8O5TcPKeLksUX9KUx0E03QQwNt6TX9jh6gU2eo1l5g65bawPo8Vnl0/s200/The_Sun.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267514401024861618" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 162px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9dmx1s-GmMYUu9NDd6bF-pldDru2Dy3eoo2ypQ1vsinsdIb_osMH5FkpK4y54Kw-CsyM7yZEb2McAsuymOVm8vFC6AfpDlLQrwJaJmFCEePgs94qBv_tCAnH_N1xaioGakEvyilEsRk/s200/daily_mirror.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267515099371604482" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qxaYW91UnN2TA1juj-AHbhllyFKsUvqTf8CDoxA53oyakaDmJ_kV_Jhz2HXKNNRAhIrudVFeH_XvdQBdUp06YJYTIHXhSdtO8A8wfRthjRAjx-hgwidfaG_aUzQ-U_GpFRryChqxTV0/s200/Irish_independent.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267515093153697618" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWqn3wt_TckD1r9bVYOFnkAqEzTl4_gxRdzV_zGC3-Cf5CjmnHilAdsJ1QFVv66xg-DcqFY_wzmAhmB0Zl1usDJtas7KdjUrtXEBttlO4dEH3koNj9b8M60Jn8HGI-2cE9PULmzTV4-E/s200/the_guardian.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267514406680487938" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPk5BCutGfHKS0lkSEh50KqmOiubpz_Ed7NU7w_G3uDzfrac1duqRHjqUsiTMgadIi9qfVufjZnIIXJG0uNDWa1exd3K7KY6sEj__JmaBPSWLXRWsonCEkXEISrI5qpSoRP2GXdM7LIdw/s200/bye_george.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267515104364634882" /></div><div><br /></div>ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04258562880782860935noreply@blogger.com0