A Fine Mess

Support The Arts: "Deadpool: A Typical Tuesday"

2012-01-12T10:03:00.000-06:00

Yes, I have found yet another opportunity for you to support artistic endeavors!

The short film, Deadpool: A Typical Tuesday, is filming this January/February in Atlanta, Georgia and they are looking for some financial support to cover odds and ends on set. This includes, but is not limited to, craft services (which is a highly overlooked department until you are actually on a film set..and hungry), costumes, crew costs, and miscellaneous expenses.

You can make a donation to the project through the fundraising page set up at IndieGoGo -

Deadpool - A Typical Tuesday - IndieGoGo Fundraiser

I've read the script and it is well-written, original, and hilarious! This project is being directed by the extravagantly talented Keith Brooks, which he co-wrote with the equally incredible, Trevor Garner. The two are working on several other projects together, including a pilot aimed at Comedy Central. Trevor is also starring as the title character, Deadpool, and serving as Action Director.

Whether you're a fan of the Deadpool comic books or not (which I sadly am not), or maybe you just like the idea that Ryan Reynolds has played the character (which I gladly do), you will be able to enjoy the comedic approach that the writers have taken with this concept. The fan fiction genre is one that is quite impressive and has become its own subculture phenomenon.

Taking on a project like this is incredibly ambitious and takes serious dedication. Everyone involved in the film has already put in a generous amount of time, money, and effort to make it possible.

Some of the extraordinary people involved besides the directors themselves -

Behind the scenes: Steven K. Greer (A.D.), Wes Eastin (D.P.), Gillian Gussack (costume designer), Sule Welch (fight choreographer), James Farlow (Editor), Theo Miller (Sound)

In front of the camera: Secret Harris, Anthony McHie, Jay Peterson, with a special guest appearance of the stunt variety from Ace Harney of Doobious.Org.

Check out this promo video with director Keith Brooks where he talks premise and provides you with an extended explanation of how your contributions will be used. If anything, this hilarious clip is worth a small donation!

Once again, you can make a donation (any amount is accepted!) and join in on the fun at IndieGoGo - Click the image below!

Good luck guys! I can't wait to see the finished project!

And, for your viewing pleasure, an extended ad campaign promo video!

Moons-Over-Social-Media

2011-12-15T09:46:00.000-06:00

My various freelance jobs don't allow me to take technological hiatuses very often, but what happens when the information floating around the Internet that is constantly in your face, starts to become more than you can handle?

Most people can agree that not everything they read on Facebook or Twitter is exactly "uplifting." Frankly, those status updates that many people covet, have a tendency to make other people feel bad about themselves. What seems like an endless string of news reports have popped up recently advocating for stricter guidelines for social media content. They identify an increase in low self-esteem among users and incidents of physical violence as the results of this new generation of social media addicts.

It is no secret that the events on social media sites have contributed to suicide. Most of us can still remember the highly publicized Myspace case in 2008. Thirteen year-old, Megan Meier, committed suicide after being harassed by a neighbor who signed up for the site posing as a teenage boy. Events as severe as this might be few and far between, but local news crews are constantly covering "breaking stories" that deal with the misuse of sites like these - no different than the effect that chat rooms had during the 1990s when headlines screamed "middle age man lured teenage girl into compromising position."

Is the Internet becoming an unhealthy use of time in more ways than the physical sense? I would argue yes. Social media is addictive, and with easy access almost everywhere you look -smart phones, laptops, iPods, iPads, Internet stations - it's a hard addiction to break.

Sitting at home on a Friday night may be the responsible choice if you have work to finish, but seeing what seems like everyone else on your friend list updating the Twitterverse on their club-o-choice for the evening doesn't help your reserve. When you're feeling a little oompa-loompa like, checking out your friends photo albums and glaring at their sex-on-a-stick looks, isn't going to help your cause. And, when you're dealing with a love-sick-puppy situation, seeing the hearts and love notes all over his wall, isn't going to do anything but bring the water works.

I am a huge advocate of the use of social media for marketing and getting information out there in the most convenient and easy to navigate way, and there are definite perks to be said for the social aspect. But as a user and abuser, I myself have had to establish limits. Facebook stalking, bad idea. Constant Twitter updates, get a life. Mobile uploads that chronicle your day one picture at a time, no thanks!

Stand up, take a breath, stretch, and walk away. Come again another day!

Weight Loss and Cherry Jubilee

2011-12-09T09:53:00.000-06:00

It's an odd feeling when your favorite jeans no longer hug your curves the same way they always have. In my case, it's a mix of triumph and defeat.

Triumph?

Well, duh! I've logged what seems like an unbelievable amount of hours on excercise machines that make you feel like you're not going anywhere.  I've suffered through countless training sessions that I prayed would end before they began.  Anyone who has ever had a trainer (well a good one) can commiserate with me on this.  I have an amazing trainer who has volunteered her time to help me on this crazy workout, weight-loss adventure - BUT, free sessions = serious pain. I have to earn every minute of her time, and that comes with lots of silent prayers. I've also had to give up some of the simple joys in life, like overindulging on sour patch kids and goldfish ::tears::

Defeat?

Whoa, why would I feel defeated? sayonara fat, hello a perfect excuse for a wardrobe makeover! Well, like I said, my favorite jeans don't fit very well anymore. That may be a little thing, but when staples in your wardrobe stop working for you, it's seriously stressful.  My goal was to lose around 30 pounds. It's not that I was an oompa-loompa to start with, but I'm going through a change-everything-about-me-phase and it seemed like a good round number. I'm only halfway there (sometimes more, but one latte too many and I'm back to half) and I don't want to invest in new clothes when I don't plan to stay at this weight.  So, even though I'm super stoked to be losing the weight, my everyday clothes that no longer fit make me feel sort of ucky.

For now, leggings are my best friend..

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 Is A Long Title..

2011-12-07T09:12:00.000-06:00

Now that I have experienced The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1..twice, I feel that I am more qualified to have an opinion.

The first time I saw the film was at midnight (well, 12:10) on opening night, a tradition that I started with New Moon. And, just like the last two middle of the night movie forays, I left slightly disappointed. It's not that I didn't like the film - but I didn't immediately love it. There wasn't that instant, jaw-dropping moment as the credits rolled down the screen that I wanted to have. I'm not sure if it was that exhaustion had set in at that point, or that my mind was still consumed in dissecting the differences that exist between the cinematic version and the novel. Either way, it always takes me at least a couple viewings to decide whether I really liked it or not.

Critics are always quick to dismiss the Twilight films, like those in academia do for the books. I, on the other hand, can appreciate the escapist feelings that the novels invoked and the attempt to translate that into a visual format.

I must say that after seeing the film for a second time, I am more likely to give it some praise. There were definitely moments from the book that I would have liked to see expanded on screen, i.e. the scene between Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) on the driveway after Jacob discovers Bella (Kristen Stewart) is pregnant. It is supposed to be an enormously complex emotional scene between these two guys that hate each other when Jacob finds something to appreciate in Edward's desperate plea - at this point in the text, we are seeing things from Jacob's point of view. Jacob describes Edward as a "burning man" and feels this uncontrollable surge of empathy for his situation. Instead, we get a fairly pathetic, "hey man, can you talk to Bella?" type of scenario.

As for realism, the birth scene - incredible. Bella looked like a corpse for sure, it was quite a sickening sight. As for the dress they choose for her when she is transforming into a vampire - another scene that could have been spoofed up with some additional dialogue, even if it was just Bella's internal monologue, like in the book - wouldn't have been my first choice. The color is darling, but I thought it would have been more flattering to her new "perfect" physique.

Other than that, there were some funny scenes. Any of them with Charlie (Billy Burke) in it is almost a guaranteed laugh out loud moment! He is just amazing at delivering those one liners. The honeymoon after Edward decides that sex is out gets pretty funny as well. His attempts to distract Bella from naughty thoughts and exhaust her are definitely amusing.

Overall, I give it a solid B (which may or may not improve after I see

it another dozen or so times). But, let's face it, even if the movie was a total drag, I would have seen it multiple times in theaters and bought every version of it when it hits DVD.

Worth Movie Theater Prices: The Descendants

2011-12-04T10:44:00.001-06:00

Lately, I've been concerned with the lack of Blockbuster films that have rocked my socks. I find myself falling into the "that was ok" rut when leaving the movie theater. Considering the outrageous prices that movie theaters themselves are charging these days (costs that I supplement with Fandango gift cards, free passes, and movie screenings) - due to inflation based on economic hardships caused by whatever the latest means of illegally obtaining films - I feel that movies should be more than "just ok."

I want to walk out of a movie and say "wow, that was excellent" or "that just blew my mind." Even the latest installment of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 didn't do it for me, and I am a huge Twilight fan. Although my movie viewing time as of late has been lackluster because of other more pressing responsibilities, the time I do spend enjoying a film has been less than stellar - until this past Friday evening.

I was extremely impressed by The Descendants starring George Clooney. I found it to be a powerfully simple story of responsibility in the light of tragedy and the bond of family. Clooney plays a father struggling to understand what he's overlooked in life after his wife is in a boating accident that leaves her in a permanent coma. As he tries to let go, while caring for his two daughters, both of whom have problems of their own aside from the most recent, he learns a lot about the person he really is and who he wants to be. The director and crew did a great job of bringing this story to life. It was touching without being overly dramatic.

On a side note, seeing Clooney as a father gave me a new appreciation for his acting range. I'm so used to him playing the silver fox with a lovely waiting in the wings lately that this role seems almost foreign for him - and I loved it! Also, the film starred Shailene Woodley as one of the daughters. If this role is any indication, Woodley has a bright future ahead of her. I look forward to seeing where her career goes from here.

Shopping Improves the Economy!

2011-11-26T20:00:00.000-06:00

The holidays bring about a lot of things. One of those that we seem to focus on most, shopping. Theoretically, shopping will improve the economy. However, realistically, shopping also puts people in serious debt. With the state of the current economy, this cultural construct that has associated love with gifts has made us into a materialistic nation - an image we quite literally can no longer afford to uphold.

The idea of living within your means has become an outdated notion as credit cards have taken over financial woes. Lack of cash has been replaced with layaway and payment plans, loans and lines of credit, and even better - the offer of bankruptcy as a quick fix with limited strings attached.

We are living in a generation where money is being thrown around like it does grow in the community garden. College graduates are so far in debt, with no job in sight, that the prospect of debt-free doesn't seem like a phrase they should consider in their vocabulary. Citizens are facing an economy that can no longer pretend to support ideas like 'long-term security' and 'low risk.' Yet, the holidays always bring new hope to struggling businesses.

Why? Because people are unwavering in their willingness to dole out wads of cash [read: credit] during the holiday season to perpetuate tradition, to keep the status qou. And I am no exception.

So amen to a legitimate excuse to spend money you don't have on the people you love (and yourself, especially yourself)!

Quotes: One Tree Hill 514

2011-11-26T19:18:00.000-06:00

More Altered Press!

2011-11-21T21:18:00.000-06:00

Altered received a special set visit from the AFP News Agency (Agence France-Press) during this last round of filming.

Check out the clip below!

Going The Distance: An Open Letter To My Friends

2011-11-21T00:45:00.000-06:00

To: The Loves of My Life,

My parents have always been big proponents of diversity, so it's no surprise that my friends don't fit into any one category. We never lived in places that were predominately anything like us. They raised my siblings and I to believe that it's the differences between us that make us special. They encouraged us to surround ourselves with people that could offer us an unique perspective on life.

Over the years I have built an epic resume of friendships. They span racial, ethnic, and religious groups, geographic boundaries, and cross generational lines. Some of them have been around since before I can remember - they know my everything (and they love me anyways), our memories weave in and out of each others. Others have come along the way - meeting me at different points of my life: high school, college, grad school; through organizations, mutual friends; or at parties, work, random chance encounters. Even more recently has a new group of friends found their way into the mix.

Not everyone sticks around and even more than those are the ones that come and go without a plan. My brand of pretty complete honesty combined with my propensity for sticking my foot in my mouth has severed a few ties. I don't always make the right choice, sometimes I make the decision that makes the most sense whether it's "right" or not. I never give up on the people I care about.

I love with my whole heart and it has earned me a long list of extraordinary friends. I am in constant awe of them and owe them more than I'll ever be able to repay. Life has given me amazing opportunities and presented me with more than I can ever fully appreciate. I have more than a few friendships that I would go to the ends of the Earth to protect, and that phrase may make you laugh, but that probably means this letter isn't meant for you.

This past year has definitely had its moments - some that have definitely effected me in a forever kind of way.

Today is my 26th birthday. Nothing spectacular happened - there were no surprise presents, no orchids, nothing shiny, and the man my heart still unequivocally and irrationally beats faster for didn't suddenly decide he wasn't better off without me. It was just another day. There's no mystical guarantee that life will change just because you will it to, no matter how many stars you wish on. Maybe that's the point. Sometimes we all need reminders that things don't turn out the way we want them to, even if we haven't found it in ourselves to let go and accept it yet. You can still know that your life is complete just the way it is.

So embrace your emotions, the good with the bad, because the beautiful moments in life aren't always the ones that came easy. Be scared and go for it anyway, chase a dream that doesn't want you, love without excuse - and remember, that at the end of the day, you are loved, and that love is just as good as any kind that exists.

Until Always,

Lindsay

Quotes: One Tree Hill 203

2011-11-20T11:35:00.000-06:00

Altered Wraps Up Another Successful Round of Filming

2011-11-18T09:57:00.011-06:00

Last week, Altered wrapped on an exciting third round of filming in Gary, Indiana /Chicago. This time only utilizing a micro-crew, several members of the original crew were joined by new talent. The Atlanta based production crew made up of Dan Slemons (Gaffer/Key Grip) and Ace Harney (Sound Technician) brought along the incredibly skillful Molly Coffee (Art Director) and Kevin McKnight (Script Supervisor/Grip). Molly was also the set dresser for round two of filming in Atlanta . Her incredible vision and tenacity has been an asset to production, and continues to stun everyone around her. Kevin, brilliant in his own right, brought a calm infusion of hard work and persistence to set that on extensively long days everyone can appreciate.

(Molly Coffee)

(Kevin McKnight)

Long days and cold nights didn’t stop the Altered crew from taking care of business. Under the direction of our epic director Kely McClung and amazing AD/DP Jessica Imoto Harney, we captured some great scenes and added a boatload of footage to the archives.

An incredible cast came out to be part of filming, staples such as Rob Pralgo (Vampire Diaries), Amanda Dreschler (Creed), and Keith Brooks were joined by Atlanta-based actors Angele Masters, Nicholas Wolfe, and Jon Chaffin. Special props go out to Angele who endeared more than her share of the cold for the cause.

(Angele Masters)

(Left to Right: Nicholas Wolfe, Jon Chaffin)

We were also in the great company of Zee Gustafson, an awesome FX make-up artist that transformed some hotties into zombies for our production. She was a pleasure to work with and definitely fun to have on set.

(Left to Right: Stephanie, Molly Pan, Rachael Sanchez)

A huge production night was shot with the collaboration with Nassau Chainsaw DisGraceLand Demolition Committee - a heavy metal suspension crew out of Brooklyn, NY that was game for anything we could pull off! Members of this crew were willing to go the extra mile to make the scene look epic!

The last night on set was one of the highlights, we shot pick-ups in Chicago's hip Wicker Park under the Damen EL train station*. Even though the wardrobe was skimpy - gangsta's don't like to layer it on in the summer months we were recreating - the guys were all in great spirits. These fine actors came out again to share in the Altered experience and the footage is amazing! Special thanks to Chicago based actors Abel Castro, Jordan Dillon, Will Cochran, Yancy Jones, Ivan Ellis, and Glenn Stanton!

The images that were captured on set are only a small tribute to the non-stop contribution of cast and crew. If the 20 minutes or so of edited scenes thus far are any indication, the finished product will definitely look amazing!

McClung estimates that after this round was completed, he has between 85% - 90% of the filming done. To finish the project, McClung plans to film scenes in Los Angeles , New York , Atlanta , and back to Gary one more time.

Stay tuned for more updates – but in the meantime, make sure to ‘Like’ The Altered Movie on Facebook for all the latest information!

*If you're in the Wicker Park area, check out the delicous coffee at a cozy local joint, Wormhole Coffee - order the homemade Vanilla bean, you won't be disappointed!

All photos courtesy of our friends at Doobious.Org and Captain Crazy Productions, INC!

'Altered' Brings Positive News to Gary, Ind.

2011-10-18T09:15:00.003-05:00

'Altered' the latest brainchild of independent Director Kely McClung continues to receive a steady stream of positive news coverage. The film was featured on ABC news as part of a segment titled 'Gary, Ind., Sees Increased Film Production.' Production on this epic project continues in the Gary/Chicago area the first week in November!

Check out the clip below:

video platform video management video solutions video player

Our Generation Responds - Occupy America!

2011-10-17T10:48:00.001-05:00

One of the biggest complaints that has been placed on Generation XYZ is that we are lazy. For years, we have been told that we have no sense of social commitment and are apathetic to the issues around us. With the recent Occupy Wall Street Movement expanding into a full blown Occupy America campaign, our generation has found our first real cause to get behind, standing up and shouting "We are the 99%!"

Across the United States, thousands of twenty-something activists have been joined in their fight for democracy. College students are camping out at parks and walking out of their universities to support a movement that they have made their own. The Internet has allowed us a new way to protest, and for years we have taken full advantage of it, supporting from a distance, behind a screen of anonymity, in our comfiest pj's- but the government has now awaken a sleeping giant. We have been pushed to the brink and are now responding in a very public way.

2011-10-11T14:15:00.000-05:00

The CW is Fashion Forward on 'Ringer'

2011-10-05T13:38:00.001-05:00

Last night, on episode #104 ("It's Gonna Kill Me, But I'll Do It") of the CW's new hit show, Ringer, Gemma (Tara Summers) donned this awesome dress for a birthday dinner in the Hampton's (right side of photo).

I am totally in love with it! It is not your everyday dinner dress, but I would completely rock it for an occasion like NYE.

You can't go wrong with full-on sparkles and a great cut for a memorable night out!

The costumer for this show must be having a ball - keep up the good work!!

Support The Arts: 'Good Grief Suicide Hotline'

2011-09-18T18:50:00.000-05:00

Another opportunity to support the arts, by way of independent feature films, has come to my attention.

Why should you support independent feature films?
Independent films are the backbone of the movie industry. They allow up and coming filmmakers to make a mark in the community, show their talent, and build their resume. Some of the biggest name directors got their start this way; it gave them an opportunity to showcase their work and get noticed. The independent film community in many areas are tight-knit, full of dedicated, hardworking, and talented individuals working for little or no money. Independent films are comprised of brilliant collaborating talents that truly love what they do. [taken directly from: Support the Arts: Perception]

Good Grief Suicide Hotline is an independent feature, directed by Atlanta filmmaker, Sam Carter, currently in the pre-production stage. Carter has developed a reputation for his hilarious, yet dark, puppet hi-jinx in shorts like Shadow Puppets and Beast of Burden.

This dark comedy is about a recent college graduate that goes to work at a crisis call center only to find out that the people doling out the advice might be more damaged than the callers themselves. When this wholesome new employee starts dating a caller, something that is more than just frowned upon, things only get more awkward.

StoneCarter Media is currently raising funds for the project, and you can help: Help make it happen for 'Good Grief Suicide Hotline' on IndiGoGo

Check out the teaser trailer and see what you can look forward to:

You can also follow the adventure on Facebook and Twitter @goodgriefsh!

"Strumming My Pain With His Fingers - Two Times"

2011-09-14T21:23:00.001-05:00

When you're going through a rough time, people come up with all sorts of advice to get you through it. Unfortunately, most of that advice either doesn't apply or is cookie cutter generic - but you overlook that because these are usually people that love and support you, unless you decided to blab your problems to the whole world, and in that case I recommend you invest in therapy. I strongly believe in honesty and sharing is caring and so forth, but its never healthy to put your pain on public display (haven't we learned anything from reality TV?). Sometimes pretending is the only thing you have left, it's like therapy for the broke and restless.

The best piece of advice I've gotten is the following, it's simple but direct, and implies everything without needing extra explanation, it was the end of the discussion:

Lindsay, you are not the type of girl that guys get over, you're the type of girl guys try to get past.

*sometimes guys give the best advice.

A Working Title

2011-09-14T09:48:00.001-05:00

Somewhere out there I really hope there is a song that starts off very The Script or Goo Goo Dolls like (Or even Backstreet Boys, I'm not too picky at this point) with "I've been waiting me whole life for someone like you" and then breaks off into a very Eminem angst-like female chorus of "and then you turned out to be an asshole."

I can settle with this sentiment for now..

Sarah Michelle Gellar Returns on 'Ringer' - The Ultimate Double Cross

2011-09-13T11:48:00.000-05:00

Sarah Michelle Gellar is returning to television tonight, and for those of you that are hardcore 'Buffy: The Vampire Slayer' fanatics, this is an epic moment in TV history.  SMG is starring in the new drama, 'Ringer' premiering at 9/8c on the CW. This is a drastic departure from the character she played for a decade as Buffy, fighting the likes of the demon underworld and saving the world between classes, but she's not out of danger yet.

SMG plays twin sisters, Bridget and Siobhan, that both are trying to escape their lives.  Out of desperation, after Siobhan disappears overboard on a boat trip, Bridget makes the split-second decision to assume her identity. She discovers that her sister may have been keeping a more dangerous secret than herself.

Check out what SMG is going to be up to this fall on 'Ringer':

Official Synopsis:
Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as a woman who, after witnessing a murder, goes on the run, hiding out by assuming the life of her wealthy identical twin sister – only to learn that her sister's seemingly idyllic life is just as complicated and dangerous as the one she's trying to leave behind. Bridget is six months sober and starting to turn her life around when she is the sole witness to a professional hit. Despite the assurances of her FBI protector, Agent Victor Machado, Bridget knows her life is on the line. She flees to New York, telling no one, not even her Narcotics Anonymous sponsor, Malcolm. In New York, Bridget reunites with her estranged twin, Siobhan. Wealthy, pampered and married to the strikingly handsome Andrew Martin, Siobhan lives what appears to be a fairy tale life – a life where no one knows that Bridget exists. The sisters seem to be mending their frayed relationship, until Siobhan disappears overboard during a boat trip, and Bridget makes the split decision to take on her sister's identity. She discovers shocking secrets, not only about her sister and her marriage, but also about Siobhan's best friend, Gemma, and Gemma's husband, Henry. And when someone tries to kill Bridget in her sister's penthouse, she realizes she is no safer as Siobhan than she is as herself.

The series stars Sarah Michelle Gellar as Bridget and Siobhan, Kristoffer Polaha as Henry, Ioan Gruffudd as Andrew Martin, Nestor Carbonell as Agent Victor Machado and Tara Summers as Gemma.
RINGER is produced by CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television in association with ABC Television Studios and Brillstein Entertainment with executive producers Pam Veasey ("CSI, NY," "The District"), Peter Traugott ("Samantha Who?") and Emmy Award-winner Richard Shepard ("Ugly Betty"). The pilot was directed by Richard Shepard.

Southern Comfort

2011-09-13T10:24:00.002-05:00

I love rap/pop collaborations (see To Dislike or Deal: Eminem Edition for examples). I love the mesh of styles coming together to make something enchantingly delightful to my senses. The contrast between a ballad and a raunchy rap speaks to me, soft meeting hard, and draws me in ears first.
There's no official music video for this dynamic collaboration of talents, but the song itself is worth listening to:

T.I. ft. Christina Aguilera - "Castle Walls"

Quotes: One Tree Hill 106

2011-09-13T10:09:00.000-05:00

The Game - "Pot of Gold"

2011-09-11T12:39:00.000-05:00

I heard this song on the radio this morning on the way to work, we're I'm hiding out like a ninja.

Close your eyes, listen to the words, let the melody run its course through your soul.

"Pot of Gold" - The Game (ft. Chris Brown) -- Welcome Back, Sir!

"To Lose Youself is the Greatest Tragedy of All"

2011-09-11T09:05:00.002-05:00

I have a dear friend who told me that you should follow your dreams, no matter how much they hurt, and I am inclined to agree. There are bookstores (somewhere still I imagine) that carry an endless supply of guides and how-to's on life - everything from dating to career to raising kids to handling grief. Nowhere on those shelves will it tell you that life should hurt, and not in any one way, but in every way.

There's an old saying, I'm sure you've all heard or read from time to time, that nothing worth having comes easy. I think that person was dead on. The hardest part is running with it, taking that pain and turning it around, hiding it from the world and even yourself at times, and continuing to chase your dreams. Regrets are only for people that don't put everything that have into everything they want - until the very end.

There's another cliche that I find appealing, it takes on various forms, but the jist of it is: "knowing when to walk away is not the same as giving up." You can only fight for something for so long before it is no longer the good fight, until it become deluded and chalked with ill intention. Life is meant to challenge you, to take you to all kinds of wonderfully painful places and leave you breadcrumbs until you find you way to happy.

I'd rather be a silly girl that chases dreams, than a stupid girl who never tries.

Thank you for reminding me that I'm still alive.

Quotes: One Tree Hill 105

2011-09-11T08:37:00.000-05:00

Support the Arts: Perception

2011-09-10T20:56:00.000-05:00

Director Stan Harrington is currently working on his latest feature, Perception, and he needs your help to raise funds to complete the project.

There are some questions that may have crossed your mind in the 17 seconds it took you to read the opening line, and here are the answers.

Why should I donate to an independent feature film? Independent films are the backbone of the movie industry. They allow up and coming filmmakers to make a mark in the community, show their talent, and build their resume. Some of the biggest name directors got their start this way; it gave them an opportunity to showcase their work and get noticed. The independent film community in many areas are tight-knit, full of dedicated, hardworking, and talented individuals working for little or no money. Independent films are comprised of brilliant collaborating talents that truly love what they do.

Who is Stan Harrington and why should I donate to his feature? Stan Harrington (see previous post:
Who is Stan Harrington?) is as dedicated a filmmaker as they come. He has literally put everything he has into his work and despite all of his hardships is still incredibly optimistic. He relies on his talent to pull him through and it shows in each and every scene of his films. Stan has pulled together an incredible cast for this film: Amanda Dreschler (Altered, Creed), Kely McClung (American Ninja IV, Blood Ties), Rob Pralgo (Vampire Diaries, The Blind Side, The Joneses), and many, many more passionate and amazing talents.

What is the movie about? Here is the teaser for your viewing pleasure!

How much of an investment do I need to make? You can donate any amount starting at only $1. However, there are different levels if you are looking to invest in a more noticeable way, but literally every dollar counts. A mere $10 will get you a mention in the 'SPECIAL THANKS' section of the credits.

Where can I donate? You can donate at IndieGoGo, a website dedicated to raising funds for independent projects. The following link will take you directly to the Perception page: IndieGoGo - Perception Campaign

Extreme Couponing

2011-09-09T19:37:00.000-05:00

Last night, I felt like I was on an episode of "Extreme Couponing." Now I have to be honest and admit that I have never personally seen an episode of the show in its entirety, but I did catch the episode of "Chelsea Lately" when she made fun of the show in her opening monologue, so I feel like I got the jist of it. And coincidentally enough, just this past weekend I was dining at the lovely Tastings Wine Bar in Indianapolis when a discussion about the show came up.

In an effort to bribe myself to go on a late night gym run, I headed first to Kohls. Until recently, the word 'Kohls' probably would not have exited my lips, but I have been quite taken with their LC Lauren Conrad Collection. I perused the racks until I found a few cute items and proceeded to the dressing room, much to my chagrin, but trying on items saves time in the long run.  I eliminated everything but an adorable floral number* and headed to the cash register, where the following extreme couponing style events unfolded.

1.  I checked to see if they price matched. I had seen the dress (originally $64) at another area Kohl's on clearance for $18 (in the wrong size), whereas this store had it marked $24. Yes, I said on clearance.  We are in a recession.  They do not normally price match, something about each store marking down based on their individual sales, however, they were nice enough to make an exception. Score.

2. I had a coupon for 20% that I was frugal enough to print out, which brought the subtotal down to somewhere around $14.   Planning ahead.

3. Finally, I hit them with my $10 Kohls Cash. Bringing the grand total with tax to something like $6.34. Like a ninja.

Not a bad day on the market. And I got in a great cardio workout at the gym afterwards. Que sera, sera.

*I had my eye on this dress since I first caught a glimpse sometime mid-July, the only problem was the price, $64 is a steal if you a) make more money than I do, and b) actually have a reason to buy it.

2011-09-05T16:00:00.001-05:00

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Quotes: One Tree Hill 101

2011-09-05T12:03:00.000-05:00

Person of the Moment: Keith Brooks

2011-08-31T19:45:00.001-05:00

I've had the opportunity over the last several months to meet an insane amount of incredible people. I can't say any one of them stood out over the rest, because they were all amazingly talented and interesting in their own way. However, that being said, one of them worth noting is actor/comedian/writer/director/jack-of-all-trades Keith Brooks. If you've ever met Keith, then you already know this fact, he is definitely not someone you can forget easily. And not just because he has the skills to Austin Powers mojo-seduce you over a bowl of practically stale nachos.

Keith brings out the best in people.

The first time I met Keith, I was hanging out in Gary, Indiana. It was his second day there, and he had just returned to the production house from a very productive day. He had scored a date with a very fertile women who took him, along with her church group, to a baseball game (Go Gary Railcats!). I repeat, his second day there. As always I hit him with a line of questioning that would have made many grown men sweat. However, he was a good sport about it, and let my faux-interview proceed. It was through this experience that I came to understand why any women would suffer from insta-attraction to this charmer.

A month later, I had the pleasure of interviewing him for my grad school project at the lovely Majestic Diner in Atlanta, Georgia. My favorite part was hearing his epic stories which make for an entertaining time all around. If you ever meet him, take a seat (or stand, if you prefer) and ask him to tell you the saga of Dr. Wesley Snipes - you won't be disappointed (unless you forget).

Besides being a talented actor, he writes, produces, and directs. He is also a philanthropist; this month he performed at an autism benefit. And he writes rap songs.

With so much talent, there is sure to be a long and successful road ahead for this young actor.

If laughter is medicine, then Keith Brooks is the cure.

Revlon 'Shape Your Life' Social: Recap

2011-08-28T15:17:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday night, I had the pleasure of attending the Revlon 'Shape Your Life' Social - a collaborative effort between Revlon Cosmetics and Shape Magazine. The invitation-only event was held at Chicago Warehouse District lounge Lumen, located near the west side. This was the perfect venue for some late afternoon cocktails, networking, and makeovers. My make-up artist, Megan, was a doll. She did great work and was very personable; and my make-up looked fantastic.

The highlight of the evening was definitely the 'Women in Action' panel featuring Nicole Williams, author of Girl on Top, a guide on how to turn dating rules into career success. Nicole was blunt. She knew what she was talking about and gave the ladies in attendance the truth - no sugar coating necessary. She is a great representative of what Shape is all about.

All in all, it was a lovely evening and I left with a copy of Shape Magazine and a free Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping™ mascara.

Disconnected

2011-08-17T20:42:00.002-05:00

Feeling blue?

Go to the gym.

It won't really change anything in your life per say, but it's something to do with your time. Leave your worries and your cell phone in the car; they will (probably) still be there waiting when you get back. Set your iPod to shuffle and crank up the tunes so you can't hear your own thoughts. Let the smooth melody of Eminem's lyrical flow drown out your potential misery.

The best thing about the gym?

No one talks to you. Well, that's not entirely true - spend enough time there and everyone knows your life story. But in general, headphones in, determined face on, no one bothers you. If you have the unfortunate predicament of running into someone you know, you can easily deny them admittance to your thought process by pointing dramatically to your headphones and mouthing "sorry, this is my jam!" convincingly.

*Sidenote: The gym is pretty much the only time I allow myself to be separated from my cell phone; it's sad, but true. I sleep with my phone. I possibly would risk taking it in the shower if I had insurance on it. My phone never enters the gym doors.

**The gym also works wonders when you're angry, over-caffeinated, stressed, highly motivated, or just unwinding from spending a day as crowd control for 50 5-6 yr old boys on their first day of Kindergarten.

*Sidenote 2: I usually spend 5 minutes sitting in my car after working out answering text messages. A watched phone never rings, but leave it in the car..magic.

Day 2 back at the gym..I hurt. Everywhere. But I love it!

Women and Weight: The Perpetual Conundrum

2011-08-15T13:35:00.001-05:00

There's nothing new or breakthrough about the correlation between women and weight issues. So if you're expecting some startling new statistic to appear below: a) you will be severely disappointed, and b) you're probably new to my blog..so welcome!

Women, more often than men, have struggled with weight loss - or at least publicly so. The self-esteem of women that don't fit the mold that is widely used by Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Vanity Fair, and Vogue - probably wouldn't win any award at the county fair (I'm assuming, I've never been to a county fair). Although the pages of those magazines are littered with articles and factoids about women and boosting confidence levels, it's just doesn't necessarily seem to parallel reality. When I'm reading those articles (and I do, I love them, I subscribe to all of the aforementioned magazines) the very first thought that crosses my mind is not "Oh, yea, this writer is onto something," it's "If I looked like the girl in the illustration, I would be confident about my body." Point Blank. And the truth is, if I looked like those women, I would probably find something else wrong with my body to complain about (but I'm guessing my confidence level would most likely be pretty high anyway).

It's actually sad to say that out loud (or write it), that my confidence is tied so heavily to the shape of my body, but in some aspects - it is.

Recently a guy called me "chunky" and it really affected me negatively. Right before I started grad school, I went all out workout-diet crazy. I lost a ton of weight and everything was nice and toned; I was doing things in the gym that made me look like I was straight out of Women's Health (one of my favorite magazines) - my confidence was high and my waistline was trim(mer). The feeling of fitting into jeans that I've been hiding in boxes in the basement since undergrad was priceless.

Unfortunately, after starting back to school, my priorities shifted. I no longer could head to the gym everyday after work, and when I managed to get there, I was unfocused and lethargic. I was getting an "A" in all of my classes, but an "F+" on my health. As anyone that works out on a regular basis knows, if you don't want to be at the gym, you're probably not getting a lot out of your workout - and the more into working out you get, the more you have to push yourself, thus not interested = not getting results.

So over the last 18 months as late nights, stress, and caffeine overdoses took over my life, my muscles reverted back to fat. I didn't gain a ton of weight - but I looked like I did. I knew that I would have to refocus my energy and get back to the gym as soon as possible i.e. when classes were over. I was teetering at the edge of low self-esteem when it came to my body (and it's summer, which means less layers to cover up unwanted fat and more baring your insecurities to the judging eye in order to avoid heat stroke), so when this guy made that comment, it struck me as a) rude (seriously isn't it a universal rule not to mention a women's weight), and b) it stung (because I knew it was true).

It's been a week since classes were over, and I'm suiting up for the gym (not literally, since my workout outfits consist mostly of t-shirts and yoga pants) and tweaking my diet (more protein and veggies; less sugar, bread, alcohol, wheat, fruit, well basically less everything else). I don't like to get a big head, but I really like to hear "have you lost weight?" or "you look great!" from the women at work (and really anyone, I'm not
picky).

Stay tuned for periodic updates on the life of a temporary gym rat.

*I really owe my hott trainer for most of my previous success, seriously that's all the encouragement that I needed to get to the gym.

**He was really hott.

What to Expect When You're NOT Expecting

2011-08-15T11:58:00.000-05:00

Perhaps the most famous of all "expecting" books is the cult classic: What to Expect When You're Expecting, but why isn't there a book out there dedicated to 'what to expect when you're not expecting'? A guide book per say to sex without the intention of getting pregnant, or even just a relationship how-to. I realize there are about a million and thirteen books on dating and relationships, and even sex (besides your standard issued textbook), but why is there not one, singular, edition of a book that is as well-circulated as the aforementioned Yoda of all pregnancy books?

Now I've never personally read that best-seller (as I've never been expecting anything of the baby variety), but I assume it makes a series of generalizations about the female body and typical baby growth and such. I wonder why it has been deemed the guru of all 'being pregnant' literature? If it is that easy to generalize symptoms like those, than why isn't there a definitive guide to let's say 'How you should feel when falling in L-O-V-E'?

The difference obviously is that one has scientific backing and the other, well let's face it, is a crap shoot; often a two-faced Indian coin toss, in fact (think Batman). There's nothing definitive about being in love, or falling in love, or the steps and stages anywhere in between. There's very few generally accepted statements that you can even make referring to it. Women and men react so differently to the same stimulation of whatever hormones effect brain chemistry and tell you, in nothing less than flashing neon (preferably pink) signs that you have feelings for another human being and that it may or may not border on the emotion better known as love. Just like anything involving hormones, some people are more inclined to react strongly, while others are less impacted.

Just some food for thought. Relationships are tough cookies, tread with stilettos not flip flops. And always carry bandages.

The Anatomy of a Summer Vacation

2011-08-14T21:00:00.000-05:00

When you're a kid, there's nothing you look forward to more than summer vacation; three months of no homework, sunny days, adventures with your friends, family vacations (unless you're a middle child and in that case, it's a coin toss) - three months of lazy in-between.

When you grow up, those same things fall to the wayside as life takes over. No longer do you have three consecutive months to sit, roll over, and play illiterate. Long summer days are filled with responsibility and billable work hours (unless you prescribe to the freelance way of living and in that case, perhaps your days are not consecutively filled with anything of the work-related persuasion). Deciding how to spend your limited "free time" pretty much becomes the same game that you played last month, except now you can add activities that are warm-weather related (unless you live somewhere that's warm all the time and in that case, perhaps you should just ignore the last line).

However, there's still a strange urge to play hooky (which may be spelled hookey or hookie depending on which dictionary you're relying on). Even though I landed a j-o-b after undergrad that gave me the summers off, I've never really had the luxury of taking advantage of them in the same way I did when I was a kid. The first two summer's I scraped by with part time jobs trying to make ends meet, and the last two summer (including this one which is coming to an end in t minus 2 days), I did the same - except I added grad school classes to the mix.

I long for a lazy summer. One where money isn't the hindrance of my good times and responsibility isn't the backbone of my spontaneity. I gave myself one week this summer to have an irresponsible good time, to chase something I want, to let the teenage girl in me take over my cerebellum - the whole heart over head conundrum. I strongly recommend it. Everything you ran away from will still be waiting when you get back (I promise); the bills and the papers and the friends you don't ever seem to have enough time for aren't going anywhere (unless you've reached the due date and in that case, don't forget that paying bills or turning in a paper late often results in a penalty).

::insert cliche about life being short and enjoy the ride here:: Summer is once again reaching its finale and the credits are starting to roll in, but when you're an adult you have the advantage of being able to take a vacation during other seasons (unless you can't and in that case, this paragraph is not really for you). You never get too old to have some quality kid-like time.

The Flight of the Twenty Something: Autobiographical Intent Only

2011-07-30T17:36:00.001-05:00

When I was five, I wanted to be an artist. This dream lasted until I was abruptly confronted with the fact that my drawing skills were limited to well, pretty much, stick-figures and dotted lines.

When I was seven, I saw potential for myself in the realm of rockstardom. I was fully committed by Halloween of that year. I took to the sidewalks with my ravishing red feather boa and matching satin dress, which my mother sewed for me (that makes it couture right?), and came home with bags full of free loot. It was all very diva like, and I felt I could easily acquiesce into this lifestyle. However, I quickly lost interest sometime around early spring when my role as Little Miss Muffet included singing; And someone recorded it.

When I was eleven, I was convinced my future was secure in the world of lawyerism. I practiced on my parents practically every time I opened my mouth. I took my sentence of "grounding" as constructive criticism. My biggest hindrance was that I was not quite the social butterfly I am today, meaning, I didn't speak in public unless spoken to first, and even then it was a toss up. This aspiration was reignited circa 2001 (which puts us at 15/16) when Legally Blond was all the rage. I mean seriously, if Elle Woods could do it, clearly Hollywood was telling me I was on the right path.

When I was seventeen, my parents told me I had a business mind, so I majored in business; that is until the university told me in more than one harsh letter, "try again," with an exclamation point. I was pretty good at talking, I'd been doing it just about my whole life, so I went into communication. I liked movies and I was pretty social, so I concentrated in film & media studies and society & rhetoric; double to make up for lost time. Obviously.

When I was 21, I was over-experienced and un(der)employed. So I did what any recent college grad does in the case of a bottomless recession. I moved home - bribed with the promise of insurance, free rent, and a gym membership - and went to work in the family business, education.

When I had enough of letting my potential take a nap, I applied for grad school. Armed with a deadline of finishing no later than 25 and a new master plan (which was more like an outline really), I headed back into the world of high priced academia.

Which brings us up-to-date, 25, a week away from graduation, Master's program (mostly) in the bag. And what next? A world of possibilities! Any suggestions?

Who is Amanda Dreschler?

2011-07-26T19:09:00.003-05:00

Amanda Dreschler. Why would you know who that is? Well, you probably wouldn't..yet. One day I firmly believe that you'll hear that name and utter something that sounds a lot like "Oh yeah her, she was in that one movie, right? I liked her." And eventually becoming the subject of statements like "Did you see that movie? It starred Amanda Dreschler. She was great." Until that time, I'll be content if someone that has never heard that name reads this post and takes something away from it that makes them smile, about her.

If you haven't taken the hint, Amanda is an actress. She's not unlike Twilight's Ashley Greene or a bevy of now well-known, twenty-something actors that were very recently struggling to make it in their craft. Unlike some, however, Amanda is a trained actor. She has a B.F.A. in theater and studied for several years at the world famous Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood. Aside from working in front of a camera, she has done theater and opera over the years, is well-versed in dance, and has worked crew on several projects.

But all of this you can probably read on her IMDB page..

What about Amanda the person?

Amanda is funny.

She is really funny.

Besides that, she's very down to earth and easy to get along with. The first time I met her, I have to admit, I was slightly intimidated; I mean she's gorgeous! But it's not her looks that have endeared her to me, it's her personality and drive; she's humble. Amanda loves what she does and that's something that makes a world of difference when you're working on an independent feature where the benefits are really what you make them to be. She is a pleasure to be around (even when she's risking her own safety with her unnatural clumsiness).

Check out Amanda's "What's Up?" interview at Doobious.org for examples!

*Images taken by Jonathan Owens of Chameleon Red Photography, an amazing talent in his own right.

Breaking Up is Hard to Do..

2011-07-26T16:41:00.000-05:00

I have a friend who recently broke up with his girlfriend. He's pretty bummed actually, and I feel bad because I was a proponent of him ending it. Ultimately, he's known for a while that things weren't working out and he was unhappy in the relationship. So why the extreme bummed out-ness?

Well, duh. Being alone is sometimes worse than being in a bad relationship, together. It's odd how that works out. The idea of being single seems pleasant, just as the idea of being in a relationship seems ideal from the outside - but the truth is, we want our cake and we want to devour it, all without caloric intake. We are innately creatures that suffer from lack of boundaries. When we have something, we aren't satisfied (at least the vast majority of the time), we want more, or different, or exactly what we have but can't and adamantly won't admit it.

So to my friend who may* or may not be reading this while he stumbles through his work day that is providing him only more agitation instead of the cheery distraction my text messages are, BUCK UP! Someone else will inevitably come along and put a patch on your fractured heart. People that care about you are all around and sometimes it takes moments like these for you to look up and see that fact. You're not alone unless you want to be..so take advantage of this opportunity and put in more face time with the friends. Call someone up for a movie & coffee date (male or female), go thrift store shopping for nick-knacks that you can never justify needing, or throw a potluck dinner party where everyone brings something to eat and something to serve as entertainment. AND..you can look forward to my list of: "Things to do after a break-up!"

*he most likely is, since I sent him a text message instructing him to do so..

Person of the Moment: Albert Escobedo

2011-07-26T00:20:00.000-05:00

I've known Albert Escobedo since before I knew Albert Escobedo. So I will start with, my dear friend Albert Escobedo is a talented comedian and I am in fact biased to this opinion*.

*Side Note: my opinion may or may not be valid from this point on, but keep reading..

As you may be aware, there are a lot of talented, funny people out there. Albert may not be the funniest of them all (he may be, but I'm not comfortable extending into fact-land like that), but he is talented with his tongue. No ladies (and gentlemen), please remove your minds from the side of the road, I am not referring to anything sexually explicit. He has a talent for witty repertoire. Besides adding a slice of comedy to every conversation, Albert can wax philosophical with the best of them (the universal "them," of course). He is open to new experiences and soaks them up, very much like a sponge (perhaps a slightly dirty one at that). Which is how Albert ended up where he is now. After soaking up all there is in his Northwest Indiana hometown, this veterinary technician (didn't see that one coming, huh?) exerted himself a little farther than average, and found himself in South Korea.

Nearly two years ago, Albert uprooted himself from his super tight family and challenged himself to live outside the box in small town Korea where he began teaching English, and even more surprising, to young children. But Albert didn't let this change of location deter him from his real dream of entertaining the masses (or anyone really, which is probably more realistic). Featured recently in the popular NEH magazine, this "wiseguy" has found his niche organizing American-style comedy shows in Seoul, where he's been living for the past year.

Far from home, Albert often incorporates jokes or commentary that tie him back to his Chicago-land roots and Mexican heritage, bringing a piece of home with him every time he takes the stage.

Scheduled originally to return to the U.S. in just two weeks, Albert, who is always up for a change-in-plans, was offered an exciting new job opportunity. New job, new place to live, new adventure. One guess what he chose. South Korea is lucky to have this charming fellow for another year.

You can check out Albert's new blog, Life is Funny and spend some time exploring his perspective.

Albert Escobedo- Virtual Ilsanity from Rip City to Seoul on Vimeo.

Discovery Band of the Month: The Heavy Florist

2011-07-25T16:05:00.002-05:00

Atlanta-based alternative / indie pop / pop punk* (or some combination of those) band, The Heavy Florist, is this month's (and the very first) discovery band [of the month].

The first time I heard them, was on a cell phone. Yes, an mp3 streamed from a semi-smart phone introduced me to this up and coming act before I ever laid eyes on them. Officially only having met 1/3 of the infamous trio at this point.

The second time I heard them, was through the floor boards of drummer Marvin Reese's house, while they held band practice in the basement. Now boasting introductions to 2 out of 3 (and armed with tasty leftovers), I enjoyed a muted version of the musical stylings this group has to offer.

The third time I heard them, was live and in living color at the East Atlanta venue, 529. Before the show, I met the final piece of the tripod that makes up The Heavy Florist, and enjoyed some riveting pre-show entertainment over pizza with the boys.

The guys behind the music are just as incredible and the actual music itself; the cohesive unit translates well on stage, bringing the crowd a mind blowing musical experience that was well worth more than the $5 it cost to get in. The highlight of the show may have been the switcheroo between lead singer/songwriter and guitarist, Chris Tsambis, and brilliant (according to him) bassist, Steven K. Greer. These two multi-talented rockstars exchanged roles briefly during the show, giving Steve a chance to show off his singing chops with two tracks that he wrote himself, my favorite of which "She Says" sounded particularly great this evening.

The band also uniquely includes a fourth ::surprise:: element, their own commentator, Bret wood. Bret introduces the band and several songs during the set. This added bonus seemed like a crowd favorite, bringing some comedy to the already talent-filled evening.

The Heavy Florist is currently in (and out) of the studio recording their debut album. But luckily for you, Reverbnation is giving you the chance to check out some of their stunning tunes. You can also follow their rise on Facebook, become a fan and get all the latest news and updates on this phenomenally polished group of musicians brought together to offer all of our senses a musical treat.

*self-described genre (source: Reverbnation)

**All photo's courtesy of the very talented Jessica 'Imoto' Harney, Owner of Captain Crazy Productions, Inc. (and The Heavy Florist's biggest fan)

2,000 Miles to Graceland

2011-07-19T14:29:00.002-05:00

I believe it was Stephen King who said that if you want to be a writer, you should write 2,000 words each day. But what do you write about?

Should you sit in front of the screen and ponder the meaning of life, waxing philosophical about moments of your existence that clearly point to a higher level of consciousness? What about over-analyzing the romantic happenings of your already naturally confusing and heavy-on-the-busy-side lifestyle? Should you regale readers with the details of your every waking moment - First, I woke up; Second, I twitched to the left half an inch; third, I thought about rolling over but ultimately decided my right shoulder was more comfortable - ?

Am I writing for myself or for an audience? If it's the latter, who is my audience and what would they like to read about? How can I tweak my style to accommodate to their personal taste, but in mass?

See the problem with being a writer, in my opinion, is that sometimes you write for yourself and that's all dandy and such, but if you're like me and you'd like to make a career doing what you love - writing - then you are also writing for everyone else, at the same time. This presents certain problems for writers that suffer from tunnel vision - the inability to write outside of their comfort zone. The inability to adapt to your audience is a hindrance for many people. Yes, your style is of course awesome (I'm sure), but is it awesome enough that you can connect with your reader. Is it accessible to others? Accessible. That's a word the universal "they" throw around a lot. Can people read your piece and relate. Can they connect with your thoughts and in return exchange them for an emotional response?

That's why I write. I strongly believe that writing is cathartic and can be a form of release for emotions unexpressed, but if that's all I was looking for - let's be honest, I could just talk to myself. I want to write pieces that bring me closer to someone that I've never met. That allows me to share something about me with someone that is nothing like me. To be a voice in chaos of things you've never thought about, not because you wouldn't think of them, but because they haven't yet crossed your mind; a point of view undiscovered by your consciousness.

That wasn't 2,000 words, but it's a start. My name is Lindsay and I am a writer.

A Suitcase Full of Anxiety

2011-07-13T23:05:00.002-05:00

I can't speak for anyone else in the population, but I assume [read: hope] I am not alone when I say that packing gives me extreme anxiety. In fact, sometimes it causes me so much stress that I literally am forced to lay down. I understand that it sounds extreme, but let's deconstruct the idea of packing, shall we.

When you are going on a trip, often times there is only a tentative or "loose" schedule of events. This means that you are essentially packing for both this planned trip and all of the alternatives, at the same time. Men may have less of a problem with this idea, but if you are a female and anything like me, this means options are needed.

My mother is not like me. If she is going away for a week, she pulls out a suitcase (or maybe only a large backpack), places approximately 3-4 bottoms, 5-6 tops, 1 pair of shoes and enough under garments and toiletries to get her through; she probably takes longer and deliberates more on choosing what goes in her carry-on than on anything that will clothe her.

Me, on the other hand, I am O.C.D. about packing.

I have to wash every item, or as close to that as possible, before packing can commence. I like all of my options (and there are a LOT) to be hung up or folded in the appropriate place so that I can than go through and pick and choose and scrutinize before deciding on the contents of my bag. The problem with this is that I am also extremely busy and laundry has a tendency to pile up. That means that before I even pick out a suitcase (and there are options there, too), I probably have around 5 loads of laundry that need washing, drying, hanging, folding, and ironing if I'm not inspired enough to move quickly*. After this is all completed, I have to coordinate outfit options. Unlike my mother's wardrobe, not everything I own can be paired with everything in it.

Some things that complicate packing unnecessarily include, but are not limited to:

A tendency to over pack
An active imagination of what the trip might entail
Accessorizing (shoes, bags, jewelry, etc.)**
Confidence issues that all of a sudden I am acutely aware of

However, it helps when I have shopping bags of new clothes to help my efforts.***

I pack, and repack, and contemplate for several hours (give or take depending on the amount of time I will be gone) before zipping up my bag and struggling to lift it off the bed and onto the floor, where it sits until I decide to redo part of the process; adding or eliminating something that probably less than 20 minutes before I was certain I did/did not need. And than I call someone else in my household to haul the bag downstairs. Occasionally, I make more decisions once it is out of my sight. Carry-on bags for me, however, present no problem; grab my iPod touch (and charger), whatever book I'm reading (been procrastinating on reading) and the latest issue of Glamour or Cosmopolitan and I'm set - Let's be honest, if I'm a) in the passenger's seat or b) flying, than I'm sleeping most of the way regardless..I don't even pretend anymore that anything productive will be accomplished in this transitional period.

This Friday, I will be last minute packing for Atlanta (where I will be spending the next week hanging out with the Altered crew)..wish me luck!

*I also prefer a neat and tidy room, not often, but for this purpose -- it helps alleviate stress during this painful process.

**In the winter the weather presents an additional and time consuming problem, adding hats, scarfs, gloves, etc.

***Which I do.

Who is Stan Harrington?

2011-07-10T18:49:00.001-05:00

While filming Altered, I had the incredible opportunity to hang out with more than a few amazing talents, those on both sides of the camera. One of those exceptional people was Stan Harrington. This name probably doesn't immediately jump out at you, as I expect, but he is worth recognizing for at the very least his attitude toward hard work, which is a quality that has too often fallen under the radar. Harrington (or Stelios Georgiadis as his parents intended) is the manager of the world famous Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood (yes, California). This building has seen the likes of acting greats such as Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro, Salma Hayek, Benicio Del Toro, Holland Taylor, Gary Ross, Eric Stoltz and Mark Ruffalo (list taken straight from the website, but pretty much says it all, AMAZING!). Stan fell into this position after becoming an indispensable member of the staff and literally moved in.

I'm currently in the process of writing an article based on my recent interview with this engaging character, so in the interest of hopefully finding an outlet to publish it I don't want to expose too much. I can say that the focus will be his passionate support of SAGIndie and his continued efforts to make movies sans a budget. Although I won't try to decode the meaning, I can assure you that his quote "I love Showtime!" will be included - if only out of curiosity for what it really means. Stan Harrington is definitely someone that should be in your peripheral as he moves onto center stage in the coming years, showcasing his brilliant persistence in an industry that (in my opinion) is lacking this historically important aspect.

S-E-X: A Working Title

2011-07-10T13:40:00.002-05:00

The first time I read about sex I couldn't have been more than 12. As part of a program my school had with the Detroit Public Library, the librarians (or a representative) showed up every two weeks with a set of pre-selected books until everyone in the class had theoretically read them all (barring lost/misplaced books and lazy readers)*. I can't be sure what the criteria was in the selection process, but it seems likely that they were on the bestseller list. The book that ironically I enjoyed the most was Rats Saw God written by Rob Thomas**.

At 12, I won't speculate as to what my classmates were thinking about, but sex was definitely on the list of "things that had not yet entered my subconscious." Although the characters are adamant about procuring condoms, the content seems a bit above what we were covering in health class where I think we were still watching videos on "why not to kiss boys" (which by the way I wasn't).

Flash forward to today, parents are up-in-arms about series like Gossip Girl and Twilight (both of which I've read in their completeness) permeating the shelves of elementary school libraries and exposing their children to the raw truth of adolescents. But the truth is, kids today are much more likely to be effected by this kind of information than they were when I was in middle school over a decade ago. Statistically, teens are engaging in sex, and sexually-related activities, at alarmingly early ages; "Spin-the-Bottle" is no longer a parent's worse nightmare and "7-Minutes in Heaven" has taken on a whole new meaning. Realistically, even if you take away books that contain sexual content, sex is still all around us: advertisements, clothing, television shows. "Sex sells" is a reality that we as a society created and it doesn't look like its going anywhere, anytime soon.

This being said, I avidly support parents that take an active role in monitoring the materials that their children consume. I saw a group of teenagers out the other day wearing shorts that practically showed off their goodies (more disturbing was that I'm pretty sure they were to young to know the reference "goodies"). I'm a firm believer that if we start treating children like children instead of burgeoning adults, that they may start thinking that are actually children instead of at 12 being convinced they are adults and deserve the same respect.

Sex is great, but not when your still young enough that someone has to explain to you why.

*I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize for never returning this book to DPL, I am still in possession of it (located securely in a box somewhere in my basement) if you'd like it back. Feel free to contact me via Twitter!

**This is the same Rob Thomas who later became the creative genius behind one of my favorite television series of all time, Veronica Mars.

The Misunderstanding of Fireworks

2011-07-06T16:36:00.001-05:00

I must admit that I've never understood the appeal of fireworks. I can see why they were conflated with the idea of freedom historically, but they have since become controlled expressions of this once unpremeditated show of organized chaos. They are no longer confined to simply the 4th of July, America's Independence Day, but instead keep me up on most warm nights as the neighborhood kids feel the need to show off their personal independence on a daily basis (I also blame Indiana's "loose" laws on the sale of fireworks to minors for the disruption in my beauty rest).

Seriously, bright light, lots of noise..if I wanted to incorporate those things into my everyday routine I would have chosen a more urban environment to call home [no offense city dwellers, that was once me].

On the plus side, it did provide PETA with the opportunity to send me a text letting me know that fireworks, although fun, often frighten animals - in case the sight of Fat Kitty hiding behind the bathroom door didn't alert me to that fact already.

**Check Out Doobious.Org for an otherwise lovely photograph capturing fireworks that at least look pretty.

Behind the Scenes of Altered: Recap

2011-07-05T08:53:00.001-05:00

Production on Altered wrapped last week in Gary, IN where we shot our final scenes of this leg of filming. All of our actors have returned to wence they came, Rob Pralgo to Atlanta, Amanda Dreschler and Stan Harrington to Los Angeles. The Atlanta-based crew made it safely home this past Saturday morning after a 12 hour plus car ride. Director Kely McClung remains in the GI editing portions of the film, starting to put the puzzle together and figure out what he has. Plans to return south later this week are in the works to start pre-production on Round 2 of filming scheduled for the next few weeks down in Atlanta. Production Assistants Cole Daniel and myself, make the trek at the end of next week to continue our epic journey.

**Side Note: I had an epic recap post set to go last week, and poof..it disappeared. Thanks Blogger! This one doesn't begin to describe the great set of actors and dedicated crew that Altered has been blessed with, but it will have to do for now.

Stay tuned for more Altered updates, coming to you next week! And as always, Facebook and Twitter will be bringing you the latest tidbits as we move forward with production. Thanks for all of your support!

Transformers 3: Epic or Epic Failure?

2011-07-04T21:58:00.000-05:00

I sat down to take in the latest (final?) installment of the Transformers franchise last Friday and the first thought I had as I slipped into those mildly stained, red-ish theater seats was this:

What is this movie supposed to be about?

It occurred to me only after I (and by I, I mean someone else) coughed up the $12.50 to see the 3-D version of Michael Bay's latest Blockbuster, that I had no idea what the premise of the movie was. Other than the Super Bowl commercial that gave away the first 30-seconds or so of the film, the only ads I'd seen simply showed things blowing up. Despite being an energetic fan* of the first two films, I had my reserves about the third after the press release came out confirming the exit of lead actress Megan Fox. I may not be her biggest fan, but I'm not to proud to admit that there was a certain chemistry between her and Shia that added to my viewing pleasure.

I won't bore you with a recap of the plot, but my two biggest complaints with it centered mainly on the lack of Fox's character.

1) The absence of Michaela (Megan Fox) was skirted under the rug as "she dumped me" which was mentioned twice in the early part of the movie with no further explanation. It seems odd that after Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen where the big plot finish involved the two lead characters finally proclaiming their love to each other that a) she would just dump him, and b) he would so easily jump into this obviously serious relationship with Carly (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley). Which brings me to point dos.

2) I believe the whole I'm-not-going-to-say-I-Love-You-first-and-instead-wait-until-we-save-the-world plot line was exhausted in the last installment. I feel like I just watched all of the same events take place with a different leading lady, and a slightly different - but not really - threat to humanity.

The rest of the film kind of blended together in my mind as an epic disappointment.**

*I went to see the last film 4 times in theaters (including opening day), that's 4 times folks!

**The highlight of the film for me was the 6 seconds of screen time the abandoned Methodist Church in Gary, Indiana that the Altered movie filmed at received.

The Altered Spotlight Shines (One Last Time) for Ace Harney

2011-07-04T11:50:00.057-05:00

We have now arrived at our final Altered spotlight poster child. I didn't save the best for last, but I did save Ace Harney for last, and he is the Best Boy. Ace has worn many hats over the last 3 weeks (give or take, heavy on the give) of filming, and I mean literally, many hats.

**Side Note: Ace is only not the best because he's part of a team, a crew, and each member is equally amazing and talented. Ace knows the value of teamwork and the importance of being part of something bigger than himself. He is always willing to share the credit for great accomplishments.

Follow Ace on Twitter or check out his brain child Doobious.Org for the latest in news, art, and entertainment.

The Altered Spotlight Shines on Cole Daniel

2011-07-03T12:36:00.003-05:00

Production Assistant (or "intern" depending on who you're talking to) Cole Daniel. Hold for applause.

Still Holding.

**Side Note: Cole is great. He came into production looking to maximize his experience and he's done an excellent job. Cole really put forward a lot of effort and even though the crew might give him a hard time, most of us really like and appreciate him. Much to his credit, he has already landed a spot on a new project, working as part of the art department, filming in Chicago the remainder of the summer. Good luck!

The Altered Spotlight Shines on Chris Sailor

2011-07-03T00:01:00.004-05:00

Today we honor sound tech extraordinaire, Chris Sailor, with the Altered spotlight dance. Chris has been experiencing some technical difficulties of his own, suffering from a bout of sinus infection that's lasted most of the duration of filming. We all know how much it sucks to be sick during regular, low-stress days..but imagine working 18 hour days on 4 hours of sleep and a steady diet of fast food and donuts. Yes, ouch.

Chris, who you might remember from Behind the Scenes of Altered: Take II, is a willing participant in team building activities like being an extra, and driving my car (which seemingly turned into a group project, everyone has taken a turn).

**Side Note: Production Assistant, Cole Daniel, donned a similiar (if not the same) costume choice last night, playing CSI agent #2

On top of his active film making duties on Altered, Chris holds the title of graduate student (very impressive) but what makes him stand out even slightly more is that when he came aboard this project he knew absolutely no one. I met him to exact same day and he was already bonded to the crew, it's hard to tell that any of them haven't been friends since the fifth grade. The definitely click well.

Chris does sound. This means that when everyone gets off for a skeleton crew shoot..he doesn't. He's great.

Behind the Scenes of Altered: Last Take

2011-06-29T10:13:00.015-05:00

Last night, The Altered Movie wrapped production in Gary, IN at the epic abandoned church near 6th and Adams. This place is so dynamic that it works for everything. During our extended time scouting, prepping, staging, filming here, we've watched countless individuals and groups come off the street to get a glimpse. Everything from engagement-photo-wanting-couples to cross-dressing camera crews have been through these doors. The light is amazing during the day and there is so much you can do with it. Amongst the devastation that this building has endured over the last 30 years or so - fires, scrapers, natural hazards, etc. - it remains a beacon of artistic integrity in the community, bringing foot traffic to a city long left to dismay.

Our amazing art department deserves special props for this location in particular. The church is pretty much a blank canvas and allowed for us to be creative in new ways. Douglas Kupferman and his intern, Elizabeth Rawlings, transformed nothing into something under some serious time constraints. They brought their own character to every room. On top of set design, in the same department we have two awesome make-up ladies, Halli Vehrs and Deanna Bajorek, that deserve some acknowledgement. They have had their work cut out for them in the last couple of days with bloody corpses and demon murderers to dress up. Last night, they transformed a pretty stunt lady into an old maid (the stunt team was fantastic!).

Stay tuned for more behind the scenes action right here and keep up with our adventure on Facebook and Twitter! You can also see more behind the scenes photos at Doobious.org run by our very own Ace Harney.

Behind the Scenes of Altered: Back to One

2011-06-28T09:03:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, we were back at Police Athletic Gym (PALs) gym in the lovely Gary, IN, temporary home of the Altered crew. This historic location is a testament to its owner and operator John Taylor, epic boxing coach and fighter.

Taylor started a youth program to train young men and women in the community to use their aggression in a more positive light. His students are among several successful fighters including the WBC International Super Lightweight and NABC Lightweight Champion “Merciless” Mary McGee. Taylor opened his doors to the Altered cast and crew with outstretched arms and provided us with excellent young boxers, filling the scene with some great upcoming talent.

The PALs boxing gym almost closed a few years ago due to insufficient funding, but has risen again to be deemed "the comeback." It was thanks to generous donations from supporters that made sure the gym remained open for future generations. Taylor, himself, is an asset to the community and a genuine gem. Despite being 80 years old, he is actively present in the facility at all times, and shares a bond with his students based on respect and mutual hard work. The city of Gary, and the world of boxing, is lucky to keep company with this endearing man.

The Altered Spotlight Shines on Jessica 'Imoto' Harney

2011-06-27T10:43:00.012-05:00

Behind every good man, is a great woman. This great woman is Jessica 'Imoto' Harney. She is our fabulously amazing Assistant Director and the glue that holds us all together. The spotlight really shines on her every day, but today especially. She spent the last two nights holed up in a tent with Director Kely McClung and protector Mookie Harney in order to safe guard our props, still located at the epic abandoned church, merely feet away from her warm bed. Why is this exceptional? Well, it means that we didn't have to do a total break down every night, which means we got off set slightly earlier, which means we had more time for "team building," which means ummm..nothing I'm authorized to disclose.

Imoto is a rockstar. She goes full-speed until she crashes and then after a brief nap, gets right back up and takes off running. There is nothing (most likely) that will stop her from pursuing her art, in fact the concept of "Carpe Diem" may have been created with her in mind. She brought together an awesome crew to work on this film and it is sure to look great under her camera direction.

So here's to you Imotoson, the spotlight shines brightly in your direction (and is not limited to any single day, but every day).

Check Imoto out at Captain Crazy Productions, Inc. and make sure to follow her on Twitter!

Behind the Scenes with Altered: Take IV

2011-06-27T09:45:00.002-05:00

This weekend cameras were still rolling on Altered. Thursday night, we had a late call time. Set was what used to be the atrium for a school auditorium in Gary, IN around the downtown area, now it's an abandoned half of a building slowly crumbling away (a result of arson, and unable to be rebuilt due to budget cuts. I'm sure this was a gorgeous building at one time, complete with marble staircases and adorned in engravings). Nonetheless, through the lens of a camera it still looks quite epic. We had to light the site from scratch because a)it was night and b)abandoned building = no working light switch (in fact, I'm pretty sure someone stole the light switches that used to be there, a sad reality indeed).

DP Dan Slemons and Key Grip Steven K. Greer deserve special acknowledgement for their early arrival to set to make this all happen. Our director, Kely McClung stepped in for a close-up, and we had some great extras make their way to set just in time to be part of movie magic.

Starlett, Amanda Dreschler got a little carried away (literally) and we all enjoyed some direction from Rob Pralgo (Vampire Diaries). This is the first time we had a guest director on set, and it was nice to see a different angle behind the camera (but we still love you most, Kely).

Saturday and Sunday we filmed in the abandoned Methodist church in Downtown, Gary. This is an absolutely epic location. Michael Bay shot here last summer for Transformers 3, and the latest Nightmare on Elm Street reboot as well. The lighting is great and it really lends itself well to a variety of motifs. Otherwise, it was a closed set ,which means details are under wraps (you'll have to see the movie for a glimpse at those intense scenes). But I'll leave you with something to ponder, there was some heavy lifting involved.

Stay tuned for more behind the scenes action right here and keep up with our adventure on Facebook and Twitter! You can also see more behind the scenes photos at Doobious.org run by our very own Ace Harney.

The Altered Crew: Breakdown

2011-06-23T15:29:00.006-05:00

We now take a break from our regularly scheduled posts for an important movie service announcement.

At the end of the day, the worst kept secret is that audiences don't flock to see movies because of the people that made them. The director will probably be acknowledged by some, maybe a producer or director of photography on larger projects, but the actors are really what gets people in the seats (or nowadays, to click "add to queue" on their Netflix or spend their hard earned dollar at Redbox).

But this is why The Altered Movie crew is awesome, and why you should care:

**Side Note: I'll go in alphabetical order to not show any favoritism, so we'll start with Ace..

Ace Harney (Best Boy): Ace runs the successful website Doobious.org ("News. Art. Entertainment. Love. Exploring The World Created By Insanity.."). He is always looking to branch out and learn new things. He has a very genuine personality and brings a sense of chillness to set, even during the most stressed days, he's exceptional at keeping his cool. Ace shows his dedication time and time again, he even volunteered to be literally hit by a car for the sake of the movie, and his stunt looked amazing! He will be interviewing all the actors in the film for his website, so check them out.

Chris Sailor (Sound Engineer): Chris is a graduate student at Georgia State University in Atlanta where he's majoring in production. He's always willing to go the extra mile and pitch in, and he's just legitimately nice to be around. His light-hearted nature makes him a joy to work with and he plays nice with others. You can always count of him to cheer you up. Plus, he's been bruised on set more than once, and never complains.

Dan Slemons (Director of Photography): Dan is dope. Seriously, he is so incredibly knowledgeable in the field of production (and a magnitude of others). He is well respected in his craft and in addition, builds most of his own equipment with his mad master welding skills. Dan works full-time at a university in Atlanta in the audio visual department.

Jonathan Owens (Assistant Camera): Jonathan owns and operates Chameleon Red Photography in Atlanta. He does a lot of freelance event work and takes AMAZING photos. His eye for the artistic in even the simplest of things makes his work brilliant, and his travels have brought him home with extraordinary photographic evidence of that. Plus, he is incredibly funny and personable. He formerly worked in the music industry managing a venue and has an extensive knowledge of music. He's also an epic storyteller.

Steven K. Greer (Key Grip): Steve has been in the business for a long time. He has incredible insight and great stories from over the years. Steve brings so much to the crew, including comic relief which is always appreciated on set. He loves what he does and it shows in his work. He can make anyone smile and is never afraid to laugh at himself (which is a particularly awesome quality).

Cole Mellendorf (Production Assistant): Cole is a former Columbia College student and still resides in Chicago. He's eager to learn and has shown everyone that he wants to be there. He literally got off a train in Gary, IN and walked 4 blocks alone in the middle of the night, on the wrong side of the tracks, so he wouldn't be late for an early call time.

I'm really lucky to be part of this fantastimazing crew, and they may not be branded the official "talent" but are most certainly incredibly talented. Keep watching as I spotlight, each and every one of them in upcoming blog posts.

Behind the Scenes of Altered: Take III

2011-06-22T11:11:00.017-05:00

Another epic day on the set of Altered. We were shooting at the abandoned cement factory behind the lovely Majestic Star Casino in Gary, Indiana. The smell of perspiration and micro-dust particles mixed with something that I can only assume is acid-based, creeping down the the concrete slabs holding up the large and surprisingly scary mixer bowls. On the plus side, as a torrential downpour/tornado speed winds hit Northwest Indiana, we were in perhaps the most secure location in the area.

Our epic crew (Ace Harney, Steven K. Greer, Dan Slemons, Jonathan Owens, Chris Sailor, and P.A. Cole Daniel) set up an awesome set and made everything run smoothly. These guys blow my mind with their talent. Props also go out to Douglas Kupferman, our Art Director, and his assistant Elizabeth Rawlings, who are responsible for making everything look as epic as possible.

As always, Jessica 'Imoto' Harney made making movies look easy with her natural camera finesse.

**Side Note: Missing crew member? Yes, me, Lindsay Sperling. I didn't think it was right to use words like "epic" and "awesome" when referring to myself..well not in the company of others at least.

Stan Harrington, Amanda Dreschler, and Chris Meister gave a profound performance in their make shift police lair that would make any director proud, like ours (Kely McClung). Stan's cowboy boots added just a little extra to every take.

The highlight of the day was clearly when I got to leave, airport bound, to pick up our very own serial killer Rob Pralgo.* But filming didn't stop for that unfortunately, so I missed the final scenes. The hard working crew and cast had a late night ahead of them and wrapped sometime well after midnight.

**Side Note: If you don't know who Rob is, you should google him. He has done a tremendous amount of work in the industry and has probably been in something that you not only have seen, but really liked. In addition, he is just a really great and talented guy.

For more information on The Altered Movie, follow us on our newly revived Twitter or on Facebook.

*I'm a huge Vampire Diaries fan!

The Altered Spotlight Shines on Kely McClung

2011-06-22T10:31:00.003-05:00

The Altered Spotlight moves up the ranks today to showcase our fearless leader, Director Kely McClung. BUT, because he is the director, AND, because I'm not yet convinced that he shares my particular brand of humor..I'll let this picture speak the 1000 words bubbling in my bouncy brunette brain.

**Side Note: Yesterday he was particularly complimentary of me..that's really why I chose him. Flattery may get you almost anywhere..

**Another Side Note: You can't mention Kely without praising his partner-in-crime, Jessica 'Imoto' Harney - one word: supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

You can follow Kely on Twitter or stalk him on Facebook..your choice.

The Altered Spotlight Shines on Dan Slemons

2011-06-21T08:41:00.001-05:00

There was no easy choice for today's Altered spotlight superstar (mostly because everyone that spent the day working on the skeleton crew has already been featured), so the honor goes to the always deserving and praiseworthy. Director of Photography Dan Slemons.

Dan (and our beloved CSI investigator Chris Sailor) braved morning traffic to get to set in Chicago, only to find out that the park was closed due to an unexpected (early) set-up for the Taste of Chicago. But, no traffic, no location mishap, no rain could stop this dynamic picture/sound duo from persevering. And, we do reward and appreciate effort, so both boys were given the opportunity to rest up this afternoon.

Dan inched above Chris in the race for spotlight sweetheart when he was the unlucky one to be awoken by the sound of the door chime, and me entering the crew house. Chris unknowingly woke up just in time to be an active bystander in the cookie-making process. Cookies? Yes, cookies. After I arrived to the crew house fashionably late, Dan took it upon himself to put me to work, and I distracted him (after we ran all of the errands) with the idea of baking cookies (which turned out excellent in their ooey gooey goodness by the way). Dan selflessly endured errands in order to be a contributing member of the team while the remaining posse members Ace Harney, Steve Greer, and Jonathan Owens (yesterday's spotlight savant) set up the epic police lair location across town.

For more info on The Altered Movie, consult Facebook.

How To Tell If a Guy Likes You..

2011-06-21T08:03:00.000-05:00

I did some googling this afternoon on a subject that has perked my interest lately, "How to tell if a guy likes you." Now, there once was a time when it was blatantly obvious whether he did, but that was back in the second grade when he would hit you on the playground and run away. As an adult it can be a painfully disappointing effort to discern like from LIKE and lust from Love. And frankly, after a longer than average stint outside to world of male interaction, it has recently come to my attention that my coveted seventh sense, the one that combines a plethora of the original six and tells the brain 'Oh. Girl. He is so into you," might be broken.

My research has concluded that either I am broken, or he's just into that into me, or maybe a combination of the two.