Wednesday, December 31, 2008

You set my soul alight

Did you bring snacks? This is going to be a long one.

First, since it is the last day of 2008, I've decided (like everyone else who owns a blog) to do a recap of all things important in 2008.

1.) I did my first musical in THREE years. I would consider this pretty high up there, considering I used to do a musical almost every year. Tommy was fun, even though I didn't have a major part in it. But we rocked out, and it was such a blessing to have been apart of.
2.) Geo and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary. Officially my longest relationship ever, and I realized at that moment that we were in it for the long haul. No going back.
3.) I finally moved out of my parent's house, and moved in with George in our first apartment together. Huge milestone for me, because I've always been very dependent. And now I felt like I really was on my own. Scary but amazing at the same time.
4.) I celebrated my 23rd birthday in style. A huge, rockin', party created especially for yours truly by the love of my life and my best friend. Can't ask for anything more than that.
5.) I makeup designed my first show: The Marriage of Figaro. A cast of about 30. And I had to design each and everyone of their faces. I had help, of course, but it was still quite overwhelming.
6.) I got straight As for the first time at a 4 year institution.

There have been other things that have made me really happy. Like the fact that my mother and I don't fight as much as we used to when I was living with her. I'm a firm believer of the saying "Absence makes the heart grow fonder..." I think that was the case with us. We just have a very loving, very patient relationship now. Also, I've truly learned the value of money. Now that everything Geo and I pay for comes from our own pockets, it really hits home how fast money comes and goes in this world. So every little thing we have, we have much more of an appreciation for. And lastly, I learned in the past year, who my true friends are. It's hard to find really great friends, who are there for you no matter what the situation, and it's a blessing when you find them. I made a lot of friends this year (1 great one, who is now one of my best friends) and I feel like I've lost a couple as well. Who knows? Perhaps it's for the better. Everything happens for a reason right? 2008 was a great year, but I have a feeling 2009 will be even better!

********************************

Now for something entirely different...

Because I'm the kind of person who has to see the film immediately right after finishing the book, I succumbed to the temptation and saw Twilight. I came into it with a blank opinion, even though I had heard from many people, fans of the novel, that the film was absolutely terrible. But I still wanted to give it a fair shot. I have to say, I didn't hate it-but I didn't love it either.

Pros: The acting was passable. The chemistry between Edward and Bella was smokin' hot, and I was relieved to see that. You can't have the movie be a success if the main characters didn't have that undeniable tension and heat between them. The art direction of the film was so beautiful-it made me want to live in Forks. That's saying a lot, since I'm a city girl at heart. And I absolutely loved the score/music from the film-I can't wait to burn a copy of the soundtrack from my sister.

Cons: The acting was passable. I expected a little more from certain people. I thought the villain, wasn't nearly as scary enough to really do it for me. And I thought the writer made a lot of the dialogue for the actors completely mundane. They left out important information from the book, and the sequence of events was all wrong. I'm a stickler about that kind of stuff. And also the special effects were a bit off.

Lastly, casting was an issue. Not too much of an issue, but enough to make me wonder what it would be like with a different cast. Especially with a series (like Harry Potter) it needs to be right, or else the whole franchise fails.

Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson): I thought he was perfect as Edward. When I first even heard of the twilight books, I thought Henry Cavill would get it for sure. I always thought Cavill was the better actor, between the two of them, and it seemed like they always fought for the same role. And since Pattinson got the role Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter, I thought Cavill was a shoe in. But all it took was one screen test, and a death in Harry Potter to secure himself the role. It's really great that he got it because he was dead (forgive the pun) on as Edward.

Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart): This was tough, because I didn't think much of her when she first came out. I saw her in that one horror flick that barely made any money, and couldn't believe she got this role so fast. But I was pleasantly surprised with her. She is beautiful-there's no doubt about that, but she also has this edge or bite, that is needed for Bella. As I was reading the book though, Evan Rachel Wood immediately popped into my head. She's beautiful, she's pale, and she's proved herself as an actress enough to take on such a popular series. Honorable mention goes to Emma Watson. But let's face it-she has Harry Potter. You can't win 'em all!

Carlisle and Esme Cullen (Peter Facinelli and Elizabeth Reaser): I though these two were pretty dead on. But if I had it my way, I'd probably cast someone a little older, like Christian Bale as Dr. Cullen, and someone a little bubblier for Esme like Zooey Deschanel. But overall-I didn't really have a problem with them.



Alice Cullen (Ashley Greene): I thought she played Alice too fairy-like. I know she's supposed to be flighty and kind of in her own little world, but she is also really smart-and I didn't get that from Greene. I would have loved to see Emmy Rossum or Shannyn Sossamon in the role. They're a little more exprerienced, and I feel would really capture Alice's charm.


Rosalie Hale (Nikki Reed): I had the biggest problem with the casting of Rosalie. If you need someone platinum blonde and pale, choose someone close to it, at least. Nikki Reed has dark brown hair, and as dark as I am in real life. She was a good enough actor, but I would've wanted to see Blake Lively or Rachel McAdams in the role. Both of them could be saucier than Reed and are as hot if not hotter to play Rosalie.

Anyway, those are just some of my thoughts on the subject. I get really intense when it comes to movie reviewing. I always think, maybe I should've been a movie critic. I don't know. Hey, at least it's another job possibility if the whole acting thing doesn't work out. :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! Be happy, be safe, and have fun!

Love, L

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

On top of the world

It's 1:21 am.

I have no idea why I'm up this late. Especially since I had a pretty early start to my day, to go hang out with the parental units and the shish-kabob. I can't sleep. I'm wide awake. Blah. Sorry I'm so boring guys. Nobody probably reads this thing. Not even the ole partner-in-crime. And I know this for a fact because I have to sit there and force him to read it. Not that he doesn't already know what's going on in my life to the most infinitesimal detail. But sometimes it's nice for the blog to feel appreciated.

I went to Beverly Hills with the fam. That was fun. My mom became starstruck and almost hallucinatory when we passed Rodeo Drive (she's never been). I told her, "Mom, whatcha gonna do when I become a rich and powerful force in American cinema?! You can't go being hysterical at the Oscars!" It was funny though, she's cute. Seriously though, I'll probably never go to the Beverly Center again. It was laid out so unnecessarily wrong. You have the parking garage in the middle of the building!!! Who does that? And you had to go up and down elevators to get to certain stores-it was bizarre and unpleasant.


I'm a fan of The Hills, so clearly I would support Whitney Port in her quest to find happiness, love, and a new career with (hello?!) Diane Von Furstenburg, in her new show The City. I would have to give it an A-. There haven't been enough episodes to quickly gauge if it'll be as big of a success as The Hills turned out to be, but I have to say-way hotter cast, and so much drama already in just the first two episodes. Plus the fashion! Omg, it's like I died...and then died all over again. Love the girl in the pink heels in that picture above. She's so chic but in a total non-pompous way. Anyway, we'll see with this one folks...

Monday, December 29, 2008

My thoughts you can't decode

I'm a little late in the game. I just finished this and was absolutely enthralled by it. I heard about the series from my sister, and she was and is completely gaga over it, long before the movie even came out. Of course, when I had heard from Kate that she too, loved it-I thought why not give it a fair go. I didn't want my sister, as clever and intelligent as she is to cloud my opinion of the book despite her constant interrogations of "how's it goin'?" And her adoration over Robert Pattinson/Edward Cullen definitely affected a large portion of how she felt towards the series. However, I felt as I was reading it, that though I had not seen the movie-I had seen enough trailers and commercials, that I couldn't escape the actors' faces as I read. Just like in the Harry Potter series-it would be the same thing. So perhaps, that might have affected my feelings towards the book, but I genuinely LOVED it. I think, though Stephanie Meyer's writing is a little elementary for my taste, the feelings were still there. And it definitely gave me goosebumps. And although, I heard terrible things about the movie, I'm still curious enough to watch it. Who knows? I might end up enjoying it.

One thing is for certain though...it'll definitely be hard not to think about this guy tonight.


Friday, December 26, 2008

Got nothing but time on our hands


Christmas Exhaustion from Elaine Nuguid on Vimeo.

The pics were screwing my blog up...I'll have them up some other time. :)
But here's a cute little treat for ya'll.


Dum Diddly Dancing from Elaine Nuguid on Vimeo.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

If you are what you say you are...

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!!!

What a wonderful 1st present to get up and find out I got straight A's for last semester. I was expecting a B in that class, and was incredibly relieved and proud to have gotten an A. 7 out of 7! Yowzah!

I am extremely happy and I can't wait for tonight's festivities. :)

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

You're like an Indian summer in the middle of winter

I'm back Blogoschpot! Did you miss thee?

In 7 days, myspace blogger will no longer be the hippest place to check out the events of Elaine, but it will be HERE! I know I left you and I'm sorry, but what was I supposed to do? I wanted to give myspace another chance. But it's looking like myspace has gone to the dogs. I hate to say it, but tis true. Facebook is the place to be for networking. It's more mature and grown up. I guess...

Speaking of mature and grown up...I wanted my blog to have a more professional feel, so whattaya think of the new look? Spiffy huh? I like it because it's simple and yet chic. Just like yours truly. Simple and Chic. Barf...

I don't want to tell my myspace peeps that I'm leaving yet. I'm kinda scurred. I don't know why I
should be since no one pays attention to anything I write anymore. Except Alli (yay Alli!) and Georgie I guess, even though he NEVER comments. Love you honey!

I will just have to suck it up and do it, because "I'm a professional." What do you think about that, myspace?! I've decided that I'm still going to keep my account though, because I was one of the first 500 members of myspace. No joke! I remember when Tom was actually my friend. It's been my love for the past 6 years, and even though I had my concerns, I still kept going. But now it's time to part...this is sad.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve! Mass then dinner with the fam. And then presents. Because let's face it--that's really what Christmas is ALL about. Just joshin'!

Anyway, love you kiddies. See you in the next year...if I don't blog before then!

As a present I leave you this...tree!
I wish I had a tree this big!!!

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