'Hotbed' is a pretty awesome word.

Your Brain's Pattern

Your mind is a creative hotbed of artistic talent. You're always making pictures in your mind, especially when you're bored. You are easily inspired to think colorful, interesting thoughts. And although it may be hard to express these thoughts, it won't always be.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

Abbey, I'm sorry I saw these without you.

But there isn't enough time in the day. :(

Walk the Line: Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherpoon just blew me away in this movie. Their performances are nuanced and full of human frailty and desire. Their singing in the film is amazing as well - I'm by no means an expert on what John or June sounds like, but these two actors captured the soul of their stage presence beautifully. Their chemistry is wonderful. You can feel how they long for each other even when things aren't working out. These are two people who support and care for each other under any circumstances, in the hardest of times. Love is a burning thing, and boy does it look good burning up on screen.

Pride and Prejudice: I am as devoted to the 1995 BBC version as the next Colin-Firth loving female, but I have to admit that ten years later they got it right again. Right, but different, so different that I seldom felt the need to compare the performances or the scenes or much of anything, really. Here's what changed:

1. The setting: The Knightley/MacFadyen version is set earlier, and it shows - the scenes feel more rustic, with livestock running through the set and fireflies dancing in the air. Nature feels more immediate.

2. The dialogue: This is what separates it from the BBC version most of all. Were the lines all the same, it would be too easy to picture them coming out of Jennifer Ehle's mouth and be disappointed. But the dialogue is different, and the characters are even different. Mr. Darcy is shyer, and Lizzie less cynical and world-weary, but both are still as true to their own hearts as in the book. (At least they're both still purdy.)

3. The length: At just over 2 hours, this version is forced to cut a lot of the side stories and minor scenes. It's hard for me to tell how well this works, because I'm so familiar with the backstory that I can just fill in the details in my mind. But I think it succeeds by focusing on the love story and downplaying the family and the social dynamics. It doesn't have all the elements of the book (my favorite book, perhaps), but it's got the soul of it.

And now....there's so much else I want to see! Brokeback Mountain, The Family Stone, Shopgirl, Rumor Has It, and the list goes on. It's hard enough trying to catch up on all the West Wing reruns!

Don't mess with my trip to Texas

Now, ordinarily I wouldn't classify myself as a lover of the Lone Star state. Heck, it would be hard to characterize myself as even marginally enthused about visiting a place that's gung-ho about rodeos, guns, and gravy.

But my obsession with a little show I like to call Veronica Mars has made all that a thing of the past. My ardor for that fair state has increased tenfold, all because I get to be a part of a fantastic event at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas in downtown Austin, Texas: the Veronica Mars panel and Sneak Peek.

I know schlepping out to Texas for a weekend in January just for the sake of a piddly little fan event is pretty darn obsessed fangirly of me. But you know what? I don't care. I just felt like doing something spontaneous and random and silly. And I'm not at all ashamed. Plus, I've heard Austin is actually a pretty cool city, so I'm looking forward to roaming around there a bit and just generally indulging my desire to try new things and explore new places.

So...what should I do in Austin? And more importantly...who's coming with me? ;-)

I'm dreaming of a gray Christmas

Hey, I'm realistic. I know a California girl like me can't hope for a white Christmas unless the threat of nuclear winter rears its ugly head. So if Jack Frost can't be bothered to stop by for a visit, what about Jack Rain? Jack Fog? Jack Thundercloud? (Note to self: good Indian name.) Right now the only one visiting is Jack Crap if the sunny view out my window is any indication. I could do with some inclement weather, ASAP. That's what gets me in the holiday mood.

But if the weather refuses to comply, Josh supplies holiday cheer in spades. Days after Thanksgiving, our apartment was already bedecked with garlands, various Santa paraphernalia, and some truly kick-ass holiday plates. Then on Sunday, we purchased our very own Christmas tree and all the adornments. Check it.



It's not the bitchin' tree it could be, since Josh and I haven't yet built up much of an ornament collection--most of our shopping took place right before we got the tree. Even so, the sight of it twinkling away in the corner of my eye brings a smile to my face. I want to give it a hug, but sap and stabby needle concerns prevent me from following through.

To keep the holiday train rollin', Josh and I are planning a whole Christmas movie-fest over the next couple weeks. Here's what we've got so far:

It's A Wonderful Life
Elf
Gremlins (I'm told this occurs during Christmas)
"Christmas Classics" - Rudolph, etc.
Home Alone (I & II)
White Christmas
National Lampoon's Christmas
Muppet Christmas Carol
Jingle All The Way
The Ref
Bad Santa
Scrooged
SNL Christmas Special
Charlie Brown Christmas

I know I'm forgetting to list some. What am I missing? Help a sister out.