"I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees. I never married, but Ohio don't remember me." ~the national

I realize I haven't posted in awhile. I can't remember the last time I got home before 7:30pm.Work is crazy. I'm teaching after-school test prep, and after that I've had stuff to do in my classroom. It's ridiculous. I cannot keep this up much longer. Working every weekday from 7:30am-6:30pm and working on Saturdays for 8 hours is not healthy. I have no free time. And I still have stuff to do when I get home from school. Oh yeah, and I'm in grad school. Next week is spring break and I need a break. Two more days of school. I hope I make it. I'm going to visit my grandparents in South Carolina next week and I cannot wait. I love them. They are two of my favorite people in the world. And Columbia, SC is one of my favorite places in the world. I was born there. I feel connected to it. So I'm excited to go back and visit.

Hm...what else? Honestly, school has taken over my life. I have managed to squeeze in a couple movies lately. I saw The Runaways and Greenberg. I enjoyed both of them. But I'm too tired and busy to write reviews of them.

The National released their first single, "Bloodbuzz Ohio," today. You can download it on the new album's website here (I'm not sure if it's only today that you can download it, so act fast). It's not a new song to me (I saw them perform it at Jimmy Fallon and am still waiting for them to share the video of that, and I knew all the words at that time because I have live bootlegs), but the studio version is beautiful. Oh, this reminds of one way I've wasted my nonexistent free time this week. I typed up what I think are the lyrics to all the songs from High Violet (The National's new album). The album won't be released until May 11th, but they played all the songs off of it at Bell House. So I listened to all the songs many, many times and transcribed lyrics (which is not easy, because Matt is a mumbler). I really need to learn how to use my time more wisely. But this was what I really wanted to do, so I suppose it wasn't such a waste. I would go completely crazy without some 'me' time.

2010 seems like it will be a fabulous year for new music. I thought 2009 was a bit of a dud year, but 2010 will more than make up for it. She & Him released Volume II yesterday. Zooey Deschanel's voice is so calming. It's a perfect listen for me right now. Frightened Rabbit already released The Winter of Mixed Drinks, which I love. The Hold Steady is releasing Heaven is Whenever on May 4th (I love them). The Arcade Fire and Interpol both have new albums out this year. Of course there's High Violet from The National. All these bands are among my favorite bands in the world. It's going to be an overload of musical fabulosity and brilliance. Bring it on. I need something to help me cope.

"But I won't be no runaway, 'cause I won't run. No, I won't be no runaway. But what makes you think I'm enjoying being led to the flood? We got another thing coming undone, and it's taking us over. We don't bleed when we don't fight, go ahead, go ahead, throw your arms in the air tonight." ~the national

The National had secret shows at Bell House in Brooklyn on Thursday and Friday, and I went to Friday's concert. As usual for a GA concert, I got a spot dead center in the front row (I'm dedicated). I was able to lean on the stage, which was really low. It was absolutely amazing to be right there. I could have easily reached out and wrapped my arms around Matt's legs; that's how close I was. I love intimate shows, and this was really as intimate as it gets. The show was great. They played eleven songs from High Velvet (their new album that isn't released until May 11th), and I can tell you that that album will be fabulous. Seriously. I'm so excited to hear the studio versions of these songs, because they're brilliant live.

I got a setlist and a lyrics sheet (Matt accidentally kicked the lyrics sheet into my face during "Abel"). Both are in my photo album here (along with the pictures I took, which aren't fabulous because I was too close and had to keep leaning pack to take photos).

I took a video of "Runaway." I filmed this song more than a year ago at Carnegie Hall and it's interesting to see how it's changed (at that time it had a different title and chorus). As usual, I recommend using the full screen option.


I recorded audio of the concert, but I'm not sharing the whole thing. The band didn't want it taped because they don't want the new songs being spread all over the internet before the album is released. That makes sense to me and I'm going to respect their wishes, although most of the new songs are already popping up elsewhere anyway. But I'm only sharing old songs. Plus a couple from the new album that have already been widely shared. I won't post "Sorrow," "Anyone's Ghost," "Little Faith (Chrome Horse)", "Afraid of Everyone," "Lemonworld," Conversation 16," "England," or "Vanderlyle." If the band doesn't like me posting the rest of my recording, I apologize and will take it down if requested.

I think it's a pretty good recording, and they played some of my favorite songs. "Apartment Story" is my favorite song of theirs, and I also love "All the Wine" and "Secret Meeting" and "Daughters of the Soho Riots;" actually, I love all these songs. It's definitely worth a few listens (because I do believe their songs are growers, and their brilliance will sneak up on you over time.)

Get Your Own Player!


I want to see if this slideshow works:


The National @ Bell House 3/12/10

"It's terrible love and I'm walking with spiders. It's terrible love and I'm walking in. It's terrible love and I'm walking with spiders. It's terrible love and I'm walking in. It's quiet company. It's quiet company. It's quiet company." ~the national

There are no words for how much I love this song. And to be onstage the first time they played it? Magical. This album (High Violet) is going to be epic. Mark my words. May 11th.

They also performed "Blood Buzz Ohio" (I already posted that I hoped they would play that song). It didn't air on TV, but it should appear on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon's website in April.

From the audience POV, I'm on the bottom right side behind the band (blue shirt, light gray sweater, blondish hair). I'm basically right over Matt's shoulder during most of it. It was a really, really cool perspective. I loved seeing Matt's face when he turned around to interact with Bryan (the drummer). What an amazing experience (I recommend clicking the 'full screen' button on the bottom right).

"I'll rest my eyes till the fever's outta me. I'll rest my eyes till the river's in the sea. I'll rest my eyes till the fever's outta me. I'll rest my eyes till the river's in the sea." ~the national

My kids are ridiculous, and their behavior is absolutely atrocious and they drive me crazy most of the time, but every once in a while I have a surprising moment with one of them. Today it was with this girl who is usually quite obnoxious. At the end of the day she was supposed to be in gym, but instead she stayed with me and started talking to me. She said she wants to go shopping with me and offered to be my stylist. She said, "Your face...your face is perfect. But you're wasting it." Apparently I need to wear tighter clothes and change my hair. She said, "If you wear a size medium now, start buying clothes in size small." And the hair? I need to get bangs. Not "too many" bangs, but "some" bangs. And more layers. And dye my hair darker ("the color of your eyebrows") and get highlights "the color of the back of Diana's hair" (don't ask about Diana's hair and why the back is a different color from the front). If anyone but a thirteen-year-old girl told me all of this I probably would not have responded well, but coming from her it was simultaneously sweet and hilarious. We looked up hairstyles online. Reese Witherspoon had some good bangs pictures. So who knows. Maybe I'll change my hair. Because a thirteen-year-old girl told me to.

I'm going to a Late Night with Jimmy Fallon taping tomorrow and sitting in the Band Bench! The National are performing. As you must already know, I am obsessed with them. Obsessed. So I am pretty freakin' excited. Look for me onstage during the performance. I don't know what song they'll do, but I'm really hoping for "Blood Buzz Ohio." "The Runaway" and "Wake Up Your Saints" are also big possibilities, but I've seen them perform both of those live before so I'd like to hear a new one. And I cannot stop listening to "Blood Buzz Ohio."

"So I throw my hand into the air and it swims in the beams. It's just a brief interruption of the swirling dust sparkle jet stream. Well, I know I don't know you and you're probably not what you seem. But I'd sure like to find out, so why don't you climb down off that movie screen." ~counting crows

I love the Oscars. Love them. Seriously, one of my favorite nights of the year. I watch all awards shows with Nicole, and this time we're at her apartment. I'm in charge of dessert, so I made brownies. Not just any brownies, though. I made Crazy Heart brownies (go Jeff Bridges!) and movie theater popcorn brownies. I think they turned out pretty well.
I also made An Edu-cajun popcorn.

Here are my predictions/wants on the major categories.

Best Picture
'Avatar'
'The Blind Side'
'District 9'
'An Education'
'The Hurt Locker'
'Inglourious Basterds'
'Precious'
'A Serious Man'
'Up'
'Up in the Air'

Will win: It kills me to say it, but I think 'Avatar' has it. I would LOVE for an upset, though.
Should win: 'Up in the Air' (or 'An Education')

Best Director
Kathryn Bigelow - 'The Hurt Locker'
James Cameron - 'Avatar'
Lee Daniels - 'Precious'
Jason Reitman - 'Up in the Air'
Quentin Tarantino - 'Inglourious Basterds'

Will win: I think Bigelow has it. I really, really hope so. If James Cameron wins I will throw something.
Should win: Kathryn Bigelow

Best Actor
Jeff Bridges - 'Crazy Heart'
George Clooney - 'Up in the Air'
Colin Firth - 'A Single Man'
Morgan Freeman - 'Invictus'
Jeremy Renner - 'The Hurt Locker'

Will win: Jeff Bridges
Should win: Jeff Bridges, Jeff Bridges, Jeff Bridges

Best Actress
Sandra Bullock - 'The Blind Side'
Helen Mirren - 'The Last Station'
Carey Mulligan - 'An Education'
Gabourey Sidibe - 'Precious'
Meryl Streep - 'Julie & Julia'

Will win: Sandra Bullock
Should win: Carey Mulligan
(I really do believe Mulligan is the most deserving, but I won't mind if Bullock wins. I think it would be cool for someone to win a Razzie and an Oscar in the same year. And I love that she showed up at the Razzies. By the way, I saw All About Steve in theaters. The day it opened. On my birthday. I'm one of the very few.)

Best Supporting Actor
Matt Damon - 'Invictus'
Woody Harrelson - 'The Messenger'
Christopher Plummer - 'The Last Station'
Stanley Tucci - 'The Lovely Bones'
Christoph Waltz - 'Inglourious Basterds'

Will win: No contest. Waltz has this in the bag. The surest bet of the night.
Should win: Christopher Waltz

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz - 'Nine'
Vera Farmiga - 'Up in the Air'
Maggie Gyllenhaal - 'Crazy Heart'
Anna Kendrick - 'Up in the Air'
Mo'nique - 'Precious'

Will win: Mo'nique. The second surest bet of the night.
Should win: Anna Kendrick

Best Animated Feature Film
'Coraline'
'Fantastic Mr. Fox'
'The Princess and the Frog'
'The Secret of Kells'
'Up'

Will win: 'Up'
Should win: 'Coraline'

Best Original Song
'Almost There' from 'The Princess and the Frog' - Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
'Down in New Orleans' from 'The Princess and the Frog' - Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
'Loin de Paname' from 'Paris 36' - Music by Reinhardt Wagner Lyric by Frank Thomas
'Take It All' from 'Nine' - Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
'The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)' from 'Crazy Heart' - Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Will win: "The Weary Kind" from 'Crazy Heart'
Should win: "The Weary Kind" (I love T-Bone)

Best Original Screenplay
Mark Boal - 'The Hurt Locker'
Quentin Tarantino - 'Inglourious Basterds'
Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman - 'The Messenger'
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen - 'A Serious Man'
Peter Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy - 'Up'

Will win: Mark Boal - 'The Hurt Locker'
Should win: Oh, I don't know.

Best Adapted Screenplay
Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell - 'District 9'
Nick Hornby - 'An Education'
Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche - 'In the Loop'
Geoffrey Fletcher - 'Precious'
Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner - 'Up in the Air'

Will win: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner - 'Up in the Air'
Should win: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner - 'Up in the Air'

We'll see how I do.

I also have 2010 movies to report on, but I'll save those reviews for another time. Tonight's all about 2009 films. I'll just briefly say, though: Alice in Wonderland - underwhelming, Shutter Island - wonderful (although I must be a freakin' genius because I figured everything out long before I was supposed to. And I loved it anyway.)

Sandra at the Razzies:

"Dip the toe in the ocean. Oh how it hardens and it numbs. And the rest of me is a version of man built to collapse into crumbs. And if I hadn’t come down to the coast to disappear, I may have died in a land-slide of the rocks, the hopes and fears.
So swim until you can’t see land. Swim until you can’t see land. Swim until you can’t see land. Are you a man or are you a bag of sand? Swim until you can’t see land. Swim until you can’t see land. Swim until you can’t see land." ~frightened rabbit

That's from a song on Frightened Rabbit's new album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks. It is absolutely amazing. I thought it would be nearly impossible to compare to The Midnight Organ Fight (which I named the best album of 2008), but I think I like this one just as much.

Earlier this week I got to go to the invited dress rehearsal of God of Carnage with the new Broadway cast. Jeff Daniels is back, and this time he's playing the James Gandolfini role. It was interesting to see. Lucy Liu (love her), Dylan Baker (he was actually my favorite), and Janet McTeer round out the cast and have a good dynamic together. I think they'll only improve over time. I liked it a lot. Not quite as much as the original cast, but I still liked it.

The Miracle Worker opens on Broadway tonight, and they released some short footage. From the performance I attended. Luckily you can't see my face, but you can definitely see my rain boots. Awesome, right?



Parenthood premiered yesterday. I enjoyed it. Any show with Lauren Graham and Peter Krause has to be a good thing, right? In case you missed it, here's a glimpse.


The New York Times ran an interesting article today about Diane Ravitch's complete reversal of thought regarding our nation's education system. I wholeheartedly agree with her new position. And I'm incredibly disappointed with everything Obama has done regarding education. I might need to move to Finland or Japan.