Now, I'm usually not one to gloat. I much more prefer to complain. But over the past few months...I LOVE MY LIFE!!!! Now, my life is not perfect not in the least and there's plenty of times that I am super moody and emo and crabby and a horrible person to be around. God, that was me this morning in Block 2!
But a lot of times, like now, I LOVE MY LIFE!!!
It's NeXt. It runs my life! The NeXt dictates whether my life is good or bad. My story is not in for four weeks. Bad. I get something in the mail, like today...AWESOME. MY LIFE IS AWESOME.
I probably shouldn't be telling this to people. Hopefully, my editor won' ever see this, because I could be in a little trouble for disclosing information or something (and if my editor does see this...I love ya, Jean!)
The newest reason why I love my life started off when I got home from school on Monday and checked my email. I had been thinking that day what my new article would be. And there in my inbox was in email from my wonderful, awesome, stupendous editor Jean. She asked if I was a fan of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. (BACK STORY:I LOVE these books. I've been reading them for probably the past three years. I always wanted to meet the author. Also note that the fourth and final book is coming out JANUARY 9TH, 2007). So, she asked if I wanted to do a phone interview with her.
I SCREAMED!!! This is like one of my dreams. I was gonna be able to talk with one of my favorite authors!!
So, right now were in the process of figuring out a date for the interview. It'll probably be during the first week of the new year. Then the next year my editor sent me the email between her and who I guess is the publisher.She asked the publisher to send me the copy of the last book, what I guessed she meant by the third so I could be current with the story line(I already had the book, but I didn't make a fuss).
So today I get home today from school and my mom tells me I got a package in the mail today from Random House Publishing. What was it you ask? The third book?
How about "Forever in Blue, The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood"? The book I had been waitng for and thousands of other girls are waiting til January 9th to get, I got today...December 21st!!!
I LOVE MY LIFE!
I don't know, does this make me a huge nerd?
NeXt also makes me happy when I get TWO awesome pirate books in the mail, one before it was out in stores, for a review I did.
Or when I was on the cover, not fully dressed, clad in Wonder Woman garb. And Hillary Clinton was in town that day!! My idol! She could have picked up a paper and saw me on the upper left hand corner! Shameful! But pretty awesome.
And then there was that time my editor told me I was going to be interviewing Melvin Bell III who plays Angel in the touring production of RENT! I nearly died.
I Love my life I love my life.
And I got a press pass to openign night of RENT at Shays, that was cool. Too bad I couldn'tgo.
So that is why I LOVE my life.
Oh yeah, I have great friends and loving parents. And People to People.
But mostly the Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Year in '06
Speaking of New Years, what is my resolution going to be? What should I say I going to do this year that I will never accomplish this year?
What a year it's been. As my favorite (some of my favorite) fictional characters in the world say "How do you measure the year in the life of a woman or a man?". (So, so, sorry, hang on one second...BAD flashbacks.)
But really. I've been thinking a lot lately about this year, 2006. Think how much happened for those fictional characters and how their lives changed. And I'm real! I should have way more things happening in my life. Way to make me feel pathetic, Jonathan Larson! Truthfully, a lot has happened this year. Ive changed a lot. And oh how things change. Think how different our world or your life might be in just one year. What will I be obsessing about by the end of 2007? Will we still be in Iraq? Will we come to some agreement on the immigration problems? Will we figure out some way to save what little ice bergs we have left before this inconvienent truth turns this year into "The Day After Tomorrow"?
So much of my life has changed, even if they're little things, in this past year.
So I'm making up a list. I'll probably keep adding to it over the next few days, so if you're really interested, or really sad and need to know everything in my life to have purpose in your, keep checking back. How have you measured the year in your life?
In 2006:
-Saw RENT the movie, became obsessed, saw it at Shayes, my first real Musical
-Fell in love with Wicked
-And the Producers
-And Phantom of the Opera
-And Avenue Q
(Why is my life defined by musicals...WHY!!!)
-Became better friends with my now bestest friends Allyssa and Mary
-People to People Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., the best week of my life, huge effect on my leadership and confidence (Have YOU questioned an ambassador at the Saudi Arabian Embassy or a former Congressman from the House of Representatives)
AND I saw the back of Cheney's head
-Valedictorian of my Eight grade class
-Graduated from eight grade
-Started High School
(What usually happens after you graduate from 8th grade)
-Became a NeXt Correspondent
-Was on the cover of the Buffalo News
-Was published in the Buffalo News 6 Times
-Interviewed Melvin Bell
-Helped Ashley Pagano on her road to stardom (Which I WILL hold over her head forever)
Shows:
-Aladdin
-Annie, Jr.
-The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
-The Not So True Tale of Robin Hood
-A Christmas Carol
-Made Eileen a kick*** movie about...her. Too bad I can't figure out how to tranfer it to her computer...
-NYSSAMA solo, more German
-found out I'm related to Hitler(You don't want to know)
-Got the Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood on December 21st, before the January 9th release date
-Told I was interviewing Ann Brashares
In the news:
-Iraq. Still. So surprizing.
-Bucky Phillips. BURN HIM!!!!
-October "Surprise" Storm (horrible name, I had no power for six days. Not a good time)
-Bike Path Rapist returns
What a year it's been. As my favorite (some of my favorite) fictional characters in the world say "How do you measure the year in the life of a woman or a man?". (So, so, sorry, hang on one second...BAD flashbacks.)
But really. I've been thinking a lot lately about this year, 2006. Think how much happened for those fictional characters and how their lives changed. And I'm real! I should have way more things happening in my life. Way to make me feel pathetic, Jonathan Larson! Truthfully, a lot has happened this year. Ive changed a lot. And oh how things change. Think how different our world or your life might be in just one year. What will I be obsessing about by the end of 2007? Will we still be in Iraq? Will we come to some agreement on the immigration problems? Will we figure out some way to save what little ice bergs we have left before this inconvienent truth turns this year into "The Day After Tomorrow"?
So much of my life has changed, even if they're little things, in this past year.
So I'm making up a list. I'll probably keep adding to it over the next few days, so if you're really interested, or really sad and need to know everything in my life to have purpose in your, keep checking back. How have you measured the year in your life?
In 2006:
-Saw RENT the movie, became obsessed, saw it at Shayes, my first real Musical
-Fell in love with Wicked
-And the Producers
-And Phantom of the Opera
-And Avenue Q
(Why is my life defined by musicals...WHY!!!)
-Became better friends with my now bestest friends Allyssa and Mary
-People to People Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., the best week of my life, huge effect on my leadership and confidence (Have YOU questioned an ambassador at the Saudi Arabian Embassy or a former Congressman from the House of Representatives)
AND I saw the back of Cheney's head
-Valedictorian of my Eight grade class
-Graduated from eight grade
-Started High School
(What usually happens after you graduate from 8th grade)
-Became a NeXt Correspondent
-Was on the cover of the Buffalo News
-Was published in the Buffalo News 6 Times
-Interviewed Melvin Bell
-Helped Ashley Pagano on her road to stardom (Which I WILL hold over her head forever)
Shows:
-Aladdin
-Annie, Jr.
-The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
-The Not So True Tale of Robin Hood
-A Christmas Carol
-Made Eileen a kick*** movie about...her. Too bad I can't figure out how to tranfer it to her computer...
-NYSSAMA solo, more German
-found out I'm related to Hitler(You don't want to know)
-Got the Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood on December 21st, before the January 9th release date
-Told I was interviewing Ann Brashares
In the news:
-Iraq. Still. So surprizing.
-Bucky Phillips. BURN HIM!!!!
-October "Surprise" Storm (horrible name, I had no power for six days. Not a good time)
-Bike Path Rapist returns
Clause Effectin' and Such
I'm trying. I really am. But why is it that the week I decide to be nice to everyone, even people I usually really don't like, all my friends decide to take my side and realize that these people I don't like really are really mean! But, you know, I'm going to keep on being persistent. It might even last through New Year's!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
RENT REVIEW
And now time to talk about my favorite subject...ME(Please note, talking myself is NOT my favorite topic, talking about the attrocities of the Bush Administration and their role of oil in the Iraq War is...and Buffy)
Anyway, one of the most important things in my life is writing. In June, I applied to be a NeXt Correspondent for the Buffalo News (www.buffalonews.com). I sent in a writing sample, a memoir of my memories from the day of September 11th, and a letter of why I wanted to write for NeXt. I thought I had no chance of getting in. Then in August I got a letter from the Buffalo News. I figured it was a "We appreciate your effort, but we do not need your help..." or something to the sort. But I got in! So I've been writing for them since August but it was not until October 17th that I got my first article published. I had the main story and my picture was on the cover page. Since then I've gotten six stories in. The artilce below is my latest. What do you think? To be extra annoying, I'll proably post all my newest articles. Enjoy!
A high-energy, wonderful 'Rent'
By CARLENE...
NeXt Correspondent
12/13/2006
Four steel tables. A few folding chairs. Love and loss. One remarkable musical phenomenon. From Dec. 5 through Sunday, Shea's Performing Arts Center was transformed into New York City's gritty East Village in the touring production of "Rent."
A musical? If the mere thought brings fear and disgust of kick lines and 76 trombones to your mind, then you have not experienced "Rent."
A modern take on Puccini's opera "La Boheme," "Rent" follows a year in the lives of eight friends (and sometimes foes) in New York City in the late '80s, battling eviction, the AIDS epidemic, drug addiction and each other. But through loss, they join together and learn to celebrate life.
With house lights still on and the audience shifting in their seats or discussing the weather, the cast runs out and begins, surprising everyone and immediately drawing you into the story. Act One introduced the characters and the plot to the audience through rock ballads and the thrilling high-energy songs "Rent" has become famous for.
Act Two brought waves of emotion - and tears - with the death of one of the friends.
With an abstract set design of debris and metal, the stage is often a fury of activity as it may be four different settings at once - not to mention the live band onstage, which added to the reality of the show.
Powerful vocals were maintained throughout the show, even while actors were jumping on tables, dancing on a rickety railing, or getting into a fight. Commanding songs, such as "Rent" and "La Vie Boheme", were sung with such vigor they filled the entire theater, the cast easily shifting into beautiful, heart-wrenching ballads like "Another Day" and "Life Support."
Those who have seen the 2005 movie may have been disappointed that it was not a carbon copy. But with more songs and the emotion of a live performance, this production offered so much more.
Applause should really go to the casting directors, as many in this cast sound remarkably like the original Broadway cast, to the audience's glee. Mark Cohen ( Harley Jay) had the same sarcastic repertee, Tom Collins (Warren G. Nolan, Jr.) maintained his deep, soulful voice, and Maureen Johnson (Tracy McDowell) sounded like Idina Menzel's (from the original cast) twin.
For some, it may have been disconcerting and odd to hear Roger (Declan Bennet) with a British accent, but was quickly forgotten when you heard his strong rock vocals.
"Rent" is in its 11th season and support for the show is still going strong. Fan support was evident at Shea's when the theater exploded with applause before the entrance of fan favorites, like Angel (Melvin Bell III) in "Today 4 U" and Mimi's (Krystal Brown) "Out Tonight." Diehard fans easily found themselves singing along , as I saw more than one person guilty of.
All these years later, "Rent" still rings true to its message of love and acceptance; a message that the people of Western New York have shown through their attitude toward the show that they accept too. Viva La Vie Boheme!
Carlene ... is a freshman at Alden.
Anyway, one of the most important things in my life is writing. In June, I applied to be a NeXt Correspondent for the Buffalo News (www.buffalonews.com). I sent in a writing sample, a memoir of my memories from the day of September 11th, and a letter of why I wanted to write for NeXt. I thought I had no chance of getting in. Then in August I got a letter from the Buffalo News. I figured it was a "We appreciate your effort, but we do not need your help..." or something to the sort. But I got in! So I've been writing for them since August but it was not until October 17th that I got my first article published. I had the main story and my picture was on the cover page. Since then I've gotten six stories in. The artilce below is my latest. What do you think? To be extra annoying, I'll proably post all my newest articles. Enjoy!
A high-energy, wonderful 'Rent'
By CARLENE...
NeXt Correspondent
12/13/2006
Four steel tables. A few folding chairs. Love and loss. One remarkable musical phenomenon. From Dec. 5 through Sunday, Shea's Performing Arts Center was transformed into New York City's gritty East Village in the touring production of "Rent."
A musical? If the mere thought brings fear and disgust of kick lines and 76 trombones to your mind, then you have not experienced "Rent."
A modern take on Puccini's opera "La Boheme," "Rent" follows a year in the lives of eight friends (and sometimes foes) in New York City in the late '80s, battling eviction, the AIDS epidemic, drug addiction and each other. But through loss, they join together and learn to celebrate life.
With house lights still on and the audience shifting in their seats or discussing the weather, the cast runs out and begins, surprising everyone and immediately drawing you into the story. Act One introduced the characters and the plot to the audience through rock ballads and the thrilling high-energy songs "Rent" has become famous for.
Act Two brought waves of emotion - and tears - with the death of one of the friends.
With an abstract set design of debris and metal, the stage is often a fury of activity as it may be four different settings at once - not to mention the live band onstage, which added to the reality of the show.
Powerful vocals were maintained throughout the show, even while actors were jumping on tables, dancing on a rickety railing, or getting into a fight. Commanding songs, such as "Rent" and "La Vie Boheme", were sung with such vigor they filled the entire theater, the cast easily shifting into beautiful, heart-wrenching ballads like "Another Day" and "Life Support."
Those who have seen the 2005 movie may have been disappointed that it was not a carbon copy. But with more songs and the emotion of a live performance, this production offered so much more.
Applause should really go to the casting directors, as many in this cast sound remarkably like the original Broadway cast, to the audience's glee. Mark Cohen ( Harley Jay) had the same sarcastic repertee, Tom Collins (Warren G. Nolan, Jr.) maintained his deep, soulful voice, and Maureen Johnson (Tracy McDowell) sounded like Idina Menzel's (from the original cast) twin.
For some, it may have been disconcerting and odd to hear Roger (Declan Bennet) with a British accent, but was quickly forgotten when you heard his strong rock vocals.
"Rent" is in its 11th season and support for the show is still going strong. Fan support was evident at Shea's when the theater exploded with applause before the entrance of fan favorites, like Angel (Melvin Bell III) in "Today 4 U" and Mimi's (Krystal Brown) "Out Tonight." Diehard fans easily found themselves singing along , as I saw more than one person guilty of.
All these years later, "Rent" still rings true to its message of love and acceptance; a message that the people of Western New York have shown through their attitude toward the show that they accept too. Viva La Vie Boheme!
Carlene ... is a freshman at Alden.
The Clause Effect
Do you ever feel that you are just not in the Christmas spirit? This year I just could not get excited about Christmas. I didn't know what to do. I tried watching Christmas movies, but I everything portrayed felt so fake and corny. Not real. I tried listening to Christmas music. But you try listening to a few hours of Jessica Simpson singing "Santa Baby" and see how cheery you'll be!(If I hear one more version of "Sleigh Ride", I'll strangle that stupid Farmer Gray...even if it is his birthday!) I counted on my part in the play "A Christmas Carol" to get me in the spirit. It still didn't feel like Christmas. I went to the mall to go Christmas shopping and with the annoying Christmas music(once again see "Jessica Simpson") they try to force some false feeling upon you. And all the things to buy were really bad. But on Saturday, things began to turn around. My dad and I went to cut down our Christmas tree and that day we put it up and decorated the house . It started to really feel like Christmas.
Sunday, the clause effect dawned on me. I was reading the Sunday comics (Sally Forth) and Ted and Sally's daughter Hillary was so excited for Christmas. And I thought to myself, why are younger kids so excited about Christmas and I am not? OF course, the presents have something to do with it. But I get spoiled just as much as younger kids. Why don't I have the same excited. I suppose that kids do get more excited about things then teens. But then it dawned on me. The Clause Effect.
Why kids are so happy and joyous before Christmas. It doesn't have to do with presents (well it does). The days leading up to Christmas, kids are on their best behavior because they know that Santa is watching. They're extra nice to everyone.
I thought further about it. After all, Christmas isn't about presents. It's about Jesus and following his example, being good to your fellow man, the golden rule, yada yada yada. I had been looking for outside sources to bring the Christmas spirit to me, when all this time I could have looked inside my self. SO for this next before the big day, I am going to try my best to be the nicest and kindest I can be to everyone, no matter our past relationships or whatever. And it's working. By just being kinder, or trying to at least, I've gotten into the Christmas spirit.
Peace towards men.
Sunday, the clause effect dawned on me. I was reading the Sunday comics (Sally Forth) and Ted and Sally's daughter Hillary was so excited for Christmas. And I thought to myself, why are younger kids so excited about Christmas and I am not? OF course, the presents have something to do with it. But I get spoiled just as much as younger kids. Why don't I have the same excited. I suppose that kids do get more excited about things then teens. But then it dawned on me. The Clause Effect.
Why kids are so happy and joyous before Christmas. It doesn't have to do with presents (well it does). The days leading up to Christmas, kids are on their best behavior because they know that Santa is watching. They're extra nice to everyone.
I thought further about it. After all, Christmas isn't about presents. It's about Jesus and following his example, being good to your fellow man, the golden rule, yada yada yada. I had been looking for outside sources to bring the Christmas spirit to me, when all this time I could have looked inside my self. SO for this next before the big day, I am going to try my best to be the nicest and kindest I can be to everyone, no matter our past relationships or whatever. And it's working. By just being kinder, or trying to at least, I've gotten into the Christmas spirit.
Peace towards men.
Monday, December 18, 2006
My First Blog
This is my first blog, or "web log" as those crazy kids call it(like me....?). This is a proud moment. I think I'm gonna cry. We had to did this bog-y thing for my Keyboarding and Computer Applications class. I'm super excited. So, I have a few ideas for my blog. Not sure if I'm gonna do any of them yet. Please comment me and visit my site. I'm very nice! Also, to find out more about me, read my info or find my site on my50.uk.com. Make an account (it's really fun!) and search for me, Carly Marsters. Toodles!Talk to you all soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
