Discovering New Music: Active Child

I love discovering new music! I do! I will sit on my uncomfortable stoop in front of Spotify clicking on song after song for hours without realizing it. I also love when TV or movies harmonize the feelings they are trying to portray with the perfect song. Music can make or break a film for me. Music, it has an incredible power.

SO in my first ever edition of Discovering New Music, I give you Active Child.

As Spotify states, "Active Child is the electronic-meets-choral project of musician Pat Grossi." I first heard Active Child while binge watching one of my guilty pleasures, Reign. Reign does an amazing job of coupling a period show with contemporary music. I LOVE the songs that are featured on the show! I have discovered so many new artists from this show, and I am sure I will talk about more of them later! Anyway, Active Child! The song that was featured on Reign was Johnny Belinda... here have a listen.





Beautifully haunting. It has such an ominous feeling to it, but is still so melodic. It's perfect for a nice somber mood. I love it.

I naturally began to listen to his other songs. And I came across this song!!!



Do you recognize it? AHH!!! I did! Change the voice to a female one... accompanied by Abnegation, a choosing ceremony, and Tris! This song was on the Divergent soundtrack! (I told you, I have a thing for soundtracks!) Ellie Goulding does a cover of Active Child's Hanging On for Divergent to transition from Tris's kitchen to the Choosing Ceremony. AHHH! I love music!

Here is Ellie Goulding's version.




Which one do you like better? I love them both! DON'T MAKE ME CHOOSE!!!!

So there is a little sampling of Active Child. I love his style, it's not mainstream, which is great for you hipsters out there, but it's beautiful.

Here is one from his new album Mercy. (He kind of sounds like Sam Smith here to me...)




Do you have any new to me music you'd like to share?

The Fantastic Four?

It's a Thursday night, I got nothing to do, so I decide to go see Fantastic Four. With a large popcorn and drink in hand, I march into the theater with my independent "I don't need to go the movies with someone because I am sensationally single" swagger (which is really just how I walk normally). The previews are already rolling, and I am the fifth person into the theater. Really? Only five people are here, didn't this just come out? Oh, the foreboding!

Plot Summary:
Previews done, movie starts. Oh look it's Reed and Ben as kids! They are adorable! And as a 5th grader, genius Reed has, in his garage, sent a toy car into an alternate dimension! How smart is he?!

Some years later, Reed gets recruited by some brainy university, were there aren't really any classes and he becomes number one scientist on his experiment to send and retrieve organic matter into this alternate dimension. After some tests, four of them decided it is their turn to make the auspicious journey. And something goes terribly awry! SHOCKING!!!! They get special powers, have to learn to control them... yada, yada, yada... bad guy appears, gotta take him down.

Overall Thoughts and Feelings: 
This movie was Fantastically Okay. Predictable storyline aside, there just wasn't anything really fantastic about it. Which, with all the advertising, is completely underwhelming! And what with Marvel doing amazing Avengers and quite enjoyable Antman, I expected more from this movie. The actors were okay, character development was underdeveloped. The main conflict, it's climax, and resolution happen in what feels like the last 10-15 minutes. It was utterly blasé. I didn't really care about the characters like I should, I was uninspired by their pep talks to each other... just so meh.

And the best actor of the main group, Jamie Bell, wasn't really in it! He was The Thing... Come on People! Why don't you actually use the best actor you recruited?

Soundtrack:
I only noticed it at one point in time, but after looking up that particular song on Spotify, it really doesn't last long. Though the end credits song is quite good. Maybe it was a celebration of the conclusion of such inadequacy? (Was that mean? Well, write a better movie...)

Parental Warning:
Mild swearing, explosions, and a finger is given.

Dear Sara B. Larson

Dear Sara B. Larson,

Did you know it is Utah Book Month? I did! But only because my sister Suey keeps me informed of such things. On my recent visit to Utah she, my niece, and I went to hunt for a certain read-a-long Utah book. After several visits to different book stores we had no such luck in finding that certain book. I know, isn't it such a disappointment when that happens! But this left the three of us standing in the BYU bookstore staring dejectedly at the YA section, when I said, "Well, find me a different Utah book to read." I opened myself up for what came next. Suey and niece immediately started pulling down books and thrusting them into my arms. With the pile getting high and my arms getting tired, there was no way I could fit all of these books in my carryon, so the agonizing deliberation began. I weeded out ones that didn't catch my fancy, and kept only those they guaranteed I would LOVE. And your DEFY made it into the final four!

The only thing I knew about your book was what the little employee blurb said, "It's like Mulan. But with magic. And not in China." Okay, I like Mulan. I like magic. And coolness can happen outside of China. So that night, as I traveled north on the Front Runner, trying to avoid eye contact with other passengers, I pretended to be enthralled in a book... and I picked yours. I didn't have to pretend long, that is for sure! (Now to give context to what I am about to say, I need to inform you, I am not a fast reader. Nope, it usually takes me weeks to finish a book. The only book I have ever finished in one day is The Hunger Games.) I devoured your story in less than two days!!! Every chance I had, I was tucked into a corner, turning pages as fast as I could! UGH, I loved your book!!!

So now I am going to gush about it...

Oh man, I love a girl that kicks butt!!! I do! And Alexa can kick everyone's trash! It's awesome! She is right up there with Katniss and Tris! Maybe even better because she has to hide who she truly is, and not trust anyone with her secret.

I love Rylan and Damian so equally it's not even funny! Ugh! and your descriptions of them... Dreamy! And they both respect her, and both are so sweet! And Damian!!! Oh but Rylan!!!! ... And the awesome tent awkwardness!!!! I feel like I can't go on with out giving away spoilers... but the romantic tension! Well Done!

I thoroughly enjoyed devouring this book! Thank you for writing it! IGNITE is already on it's way to me. But then I will have to wait for ENDURE! OH, CRUEL REALITY!!! :)

May your creative juices continue to flow so that I may lap them up from the comfort of my couch! (Is that weird?)

Respectfully,

Megs

P.S. After gushing about your book, my dance teammate from college informed me she was your roommate! Small world!

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.... A Review

It's a SPY movie! I love a good spy movie. Nothing like the gizmos and gadgets, the furtive glances, the legal naughtiness, and spyrific action. Why yes, it had everything you want a spy movie to have. The  flirtatious fun of the sixties style, the mystery of knowing you don't have all the information, and better than a Bond film, we have two hunky dudes to drool over appreciate. 

Let's be honest, a big reason I went to see The Man From U.N.C.L.E was because of this guy!

I know, he IS dishy! Henry Cavill is not my most favorite actor, but I think that this film lent itself to him performing a bit better. But you can't go wrong with Henry in a three piece suit at any point in time!

What I didn't anticipate was liking Armie Hammer (What a name!) a whole lot more than I have in both Mirror, Mirror and Lone Ranger. Don't get me wrong he was adorable in Mirror, Mirror and well, Lone Ranger I don't really remember... (but I do love the soundtrack). But I definitely noticed him in this movie! BOY, is tall!!!!  And with his Newsie hat, and fake Russian accent he comes across as strongly handsome. With some pretty eyes. *Swoon*

Plot Summary: 

It's in the 60's, Cold War. CIA agent and KGB agent are forced to work together to find a missing German atomic bomb engineer before he is forced to make an atomic bomb for another country. They use said engineer's daughter to help find him after rescuing her from East Germany. They, of course, don't have all the information they need, and, of course, don't trust each other, and, of course, try to out spy each other.

Cinematography Notes:

I loved the split screens and views during the action parts. I also enjoyed the surreptitious angles.

Soundtrack: 

Yup, GREAT JOB Daniel Pemberton! I noticed it! It was SPYTACULAR! It definitely gives the correct ambiance for a spy movie. It was sixty-ish, it was spyish and I throughly enjoyed it! Listening to it on Spotify right now for the appropriate inspiration.

Overall Thoughts and Feelings:

I liked it better than Bond. It was witty and made me laugh. It's what you expect from a spy movie, only a bit more fun. I give it 1.5 thumbs, or if you don't like maimed phalanges, 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer: 

Because I am having technical difficulties, I am linking it here.

Parental Warning:

Several sexual references, and a quite unnecessary profile of a naked woman. For more details, check IMDB parent guide.

Dear Veronica Rossi

Dear Veronica Rossi,

Two years ago, I was moving across the country. With endless hours of driving ahead of me and my dad, who was helping me along the journey, I ventured to the library, on the hunt for some audio entertainment. Perched in front of the Young Adult books on CD, I searched for something to grab my attention. I scanned, and deliberated, and finally decided on a few. None of them had I ever heard of.

Once on the road, we popped the first one in. We listened to the first few chapters… but the story became… shall we say embarrassing, for a father and his young adult daughter to listen to together, trapped in a car. Next! We popped in a second book. This was a little better. A little. The story had potential, but was also kinda weird, and a lotta boring. We didn't make it very long before we decided to try again. Eyeing each other, we hoped this book panned out. A bit nervous about our luck, I pushed in Under the Never Sky. My dad and I didn't talk for hours. Which doesn't sound like a good thing, but it is when you are both engulfed in the imaginary pages of an audio book!

Two years later, and much waiting in between, I have just finished Into the Still Blue. Makes me kinda sad. But mostly it makes me want to say thank you.

Thank you for writing a captivating story.
Thank you for creating a heroine that was relatable, clever, teachable, vulnerable, and yet determined. Thank you for writing Roar and Aria as best friends, and nothing but friends on either side. Thank you for writing Perry with just enough brief jealousy, but mostly trusting of their friendship. (So tired of the love triangles and the jealous boyfriends in recent books). Thank you for writing a young adult book without a love triangle. Thank you for writing a book with romance, that glimpses the intimate, but never crosses the line of vulgarity about what is private. (Especially something a young woman could listen to with her dad without being embarrassed.) Thank you for writing about pain, love, forgiveness,  saying you're sorry, admitting your mistakes, and sacrifice. Thank you for writing a truly entertaining book that I can recommend to my students without reservation.

And Thank You for not killing off my favorite characters!!! Especially this. Thank you.

Respectfully,

Megs

P.S. Would the child of Aria and Perry have all three Senses? Cause that would be wicked awesome!

Another PS: If you need help casting roles for Roar and Perry, I would be more than willing to sit in on the auditions. ;) They gotta get this right!

Barely a Blog, Blog

When I first started blogging I was 20, I think. It was a really new thing, and hardly anyone was doing it. I found it fun to just Blah, Blah, Blah on my endless musings, but I didn't really have an audience to share them with. So naturally I recruited my sister. Having introduced her to Josh Groban, Michael Buble (or did she introduce me to him?), and other amazing things I think she trusted my judgement and me on things that are amazing. Shortly thereafter though, I left the "in touch" world to go on a mission for my church. When I came back, my sister had pretty much dominated the Blogging World… and I… I hadn't even heard of Facebook. I liked the idea of starting to blog again, but it seemed too big now… too real.

Finally, after many years of reluctance and trepidation and brewing excitement, I decided I was going to jump in again. It was a daunting task for me. There actually was a blogging world, with people who did this for real… for a living… not just cause they were goofing around. People-- That is intimidating to me. For Reals! Legit writers! That are entertaining… The pressure! My sister had found her niche, Books. Everyone had a niche, so I felt like my blog needed a niche… What should it be about?

I agonized about that question for months… still do.

As you can see, or read, I don't have a niche… I barely have a blog. What ends up happening is life. See, my life revolves around teaching school during the school year, and during that time I really don't do anything. At least not anything terribly entertaining. But sometimes, I have thoughts that I feel need to be spewed out onto a page, and journal just would be, I don't know too private… haha.

So I thinking today, the reason my blog doesn't have a niche, is because I don't have a niche. I don't have a solitary thing that defines me. My life is like a revolving door, the focus changing in a yearly cycle. I have the same passions, but their priority is never in the same order. And some passions do fade and are replaced by new ones. So what I am saying… I guess… is… Here is a niche-less, revolving, nondescript, evolving, barely a blog, Blog. It isn't consistent because my life isn't consistent.

Welcome… looking at my track record, I'll talk to you in about another 5 months… peace!

2014 To Read List

First, I know, it's my third post within the same month, of the same year!!! Suey, don't die from shock! And secondly, I really should be doing something else, so naturally I figured I would write a blog post right now. :) I really do put the Pro in procrastination!

Well we all know that the New Year is just days away, and with it the list of goals that shall just be ignored within the week by most of us... because let's be honest we all have Christmas goodies laying around that we are all going to continue  to eat. So I decided to make a list that I actually have interest in and might accomplish. Now I know some of you can read books in days or weeks, but for me, I am lucky to finish a book in a month during the school year... but come summer, librarians, ye be warned!

So here are some of the books I hope to devour this year!

• Finish Book Thief... then finally see the movie!
• Finish Pride and Prejudice... don't judge me
• Through the Ever Night... The only book I asked for Christmas, but instead I got "Flirt Fearlessly: an A to Z Guide on Flirting (More to come on that! Sheesh)
• Into the Still Blue
• Allegiant
• Night Circus
• The 5th Wave
• Ender's Game
• To Kill a Mockingbird... No I have never read it, and I really want to
• Finish Days of Blood and Starlight
• Dreams of Gods and Monsters

Other bookish things I want to do this year...

• Blog more... about books, or movies, or my sad singleness... Whatever
• Encourage a certain someone to continue with her book.... ;)
• Maybe experiment with writing myself... just cause I think it would be fun to try... maybe
• Read... read... read

 Any book you think I really should read that's not on the list?