On Words

Your poetic flow and esoteric ways with the English language may get you far in a scholarly life, but actions, my friend, speak far louder than words. Step up and rise to the challenge you present yourself.

Glory Years in Retrospect

I don't really know how to put what has happened to me in the past semester into words, but it's sure worth a try. I'm a strong believer that the choices you make can greatly affect your future, no matter how minute the decision may seem. I've learned this past semester that small steps sometimes add up to one large step, which is exactly what is about to happen in my life. Graduation hasn't necessarily crept up on me - I've just decided to keep it in the back of my mind, unwilling to accept the reality that's approaching. Fear, more than anything, is the main factor in this conscious decision to block out one of the most monumental achievements of my life thus far. Why should I be so scared, haunted, of what's to come? I've always had a set plan for the most part, and now nothing is set in place. For roughly a year now I've been running without a plan, which has worked for the most part. So what's so different now? For the past 17 years of my life, school has provided a continual cycle where I didn't have to worry about what the next year had to offer. Now, reality: full-time job, bills, insurances, and more responsibility than I can imagine. It's safe to say that I'm not ready yet. Maybe these last couple weeks will roughen me up for the real world. Now's the time.

Now on to a side note about how even the smallest things can lead to something greater than you can wrap your head around sometimes. Think about how many people come and go in your life...how many you've met in the past week, month, year. Too many to count. But when you meet certain people, it's hard to let go. It's a feeling you just can't avoid, like that person was predestined to be in your life. I'm fortunate to have made the decisions I have; otherwise, I wouldn't be here with the people I have today. If I could, I would stretch these remaining days I have as far as possible, but that's obviously impossible. Therefore, I'm ready to make the best of them. Here's to everyone I've crossed paths with that has changed my life - even the ones who have sometimes treated me like shit. You quite possibly have changed me the most - for the greater - by testing my threshold and making me a stronger person. I thank you.

DJ Williams Projekt: Remember Me

Exotic - She's Psychotic

No matter how affordable or how often they may change their sheets, don't get drawn in by the neon glow of "vacancy" here. I was among the very, very few in my film class that had yet to see Hitchcock's Psycho (1960), which has by far been my most liked work by him. Note to self: don't ever cross paths with Norman Bates. Looks can be highly deceiving.

Primavera

I've forgotten how much I love thunderstorms in the summer. There's something in the way the flicker of lightning illuminates the dark summer sky. However much I may complain about humidity, I live for it. It's a main ingredient for summers in Virginia. So far there's only been two somewhat summery days, but I ate up every minute of them. Warmer weather just makes everyone - well, mostly everyone - eerily happy. It's as if the sun puts people in a trance, a sedated state of happiness. Maybe it's from the lack of Vitamin D in everyone's system. With that said, I'm 122% looking forward to this weekend. I guess this pointless blog is just to bash cold weather. If it's not snowing, there's no reason for temperatures below 60°. I can hear San Diego calling my name right now. I miss summer...being tan...wearing flip flops every day...tank tops & shorts...sleeping with the windows open...so on and so on.

On another note, I'm thoroughly bummed Kid Cudi isn't coming to JMU. Wale will suffice, but K Cud's flow is off the charts. Too bad people are idiots and blew the chance to see something good. Always on a hunt for new Cudder tracks. SCOTTY.

Currently on shuffle: Otis Redding. This guy's voice is absolutely extraordinary. Song worth a listen: Send Me Some Lovin'.

Phony Identities and Shallow Values

North by Northwest (1959): A literal cliffhanger with multiple innuendos. If one is wondering why I'm on a Hitchcock blogging kick, 'tis due to a class I'm currently taking: Major Film Directors with Dr. Hoskins. Hitchcock is so - unique, odd, just plain weird - but it's what makes his films what they are. At first view, one of his films can be seen as a classic crime/mystery/drama/romcom. But after the credits roll, the viewer begins to understand the depth and complexity Hitchcock infiltrates into the film. What a clever fella.

Below: updated version of the notorious (ha!) cornfield scene, Grant replaced by Rogen (photo by Art Streiber). Classic!

VertigOH

Donald Spoto pretty much sums up Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958) in one particular sentence: "The film is, after all, like a dream, an oxymoronic 'slow chase,' with all the aural evocations of memory, desire, obsession and loss."

Hitchcock keeps you on the edge of your seat in the last third of the movie, but the beginning is somewhat droning. The slow-pace start is somewhat necessary, though. These long, slow, silent scenes are pushed along by Bernard Herrmann's score, which mirrors the emotions that Hitchcock continually tries to portray throughout the film.

On a side note, I really need to get back on this blog and update more than once every couple of weeks. It's just not cuttin' it.

If Only

Despite the fact that everyone around me is headed out of the country (specifically, the Bahamas), this one is stayin' in the States this upcoming week. Jersey bound tomorrow morning and then cruising down 95 to Baltimore to present senior research. This is the last leg of my college career and, without a doubt, I'm scared shitless as to where I'll be in roughly 4 months. Right now, it's a lingering thought in the back of my mind. But every day it creeps more and more into my thoughts. If only I would have pushed myself just that little bit further to get that GPA at or above a 3.0, I wouldn't have had any trouble in deciding my future as far as schooling goes. If only I didn't spend as much time with friends and nose myself into my studies more, that 3.0 would have been possible. But, life is full of sacrifices, may they be small or monumental, and you have to 110% go with gut instinct. I continually revert back to a particular weekend roughly one year ago. I can't pinpoint any one exact moment that changed me, but it was enough to have a few substantial revelations:

-Live for yourself and never sacrifice your dreams for someone else's.

-Being alone doesn't sound ideal, but it happens. It's not the end of the world - persevere.

-Near water (the beach, specifically) is where I need to be. Not an arid, desolate wasteland that I had planned to a year ago (Texas, anyone?).

-A change in scenery is most definitely necessary for me at this point in my life.

On that note, here's Fleetwood Mac's "Gypsy." Stevie Nicks is timeless.