10 Things I Like Right Now

This Book

The Paris Wife

I absolutely love McClain's style and her depiction of Hadley Richardson, Hemingway's first wife. The language of the book is so well-crafted, fun, serious, and everything a good book should be. I simply cannot put it down! I find this time period, and Hemingway himself, more fascinating the more I read. Plus, it's got loads of references to the famous writers and painters who were scattered in Paris at the time. The English major side of me squeals with joy when the Hemingways encounter Sherwood Anderson, James Joyce, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

This TV Show

Parks and Rec

It got off to a shaky start, but the third season of this mockumentary set around Pawnee, Indiana's parks department is absolutely hilarious. I love that these characters seems fresh and exciting. This was once Amy Poehler's show, but now it's clearly an ensemble. Aziz as Tom Haverford is surprisingly deep, but at the same time funny in a "that guy" kind of way. The man who steals the show is Nick Offerman, who plays Libretarian Ron Swanson (who has his own pyramid of greatness). This show makes me howl with laughter every time I watch.

This Singer

Robyn

Her music is dancey and her hair is weird, but there's something about this Swedish-born singer that I absolutely adore. Perhaps it's her style of defying the industry by releasing to EPs and then a full LP in the same calendar year. Or her disenchantment with paparazzi and being famous. More than anything though, it's her great lyrics and thumping beats that really get me. Very rarely does a song about heartbreak make me want to dance. The single above "Dancing on My Own" is great, but I encourage you to listen to some of her others, such as "Hang with Me" and her collaboration with Snoop Dogg, and her full length album "Body Talk."

This Movie

The King's Speech

Yes, I know it recently won the Best Picture Oscar and it's a period drama, but I promise it is anything but boring. Colin Firth, a favorite of mine, plays King George VI, a man who reluctantly became king of England during a turbulent global climate and despite a personal struggle with a stammer. Geoffrey Rush, not dressed as a pirate, plays his unconventional therapist. This is a heartwarming and truly lovely tale of class and overcoming not just personal handicaps, but the kind of baggage we all carry around. I absorbed every minute of it and loved it.

This Restaurant

The Cherry Cricket

I don't know about any of you, but I've always wanted breakfast in the form of a hamburger. Okay, I know that sounds disgusting, but in all reality you can get a combination of all kinds of crazy things on your burger at this little hangout in Cherry Creek. I love the atmosphere, the great drink specials, and the burgers really are very good. I never have a bad meal. Plus, it was featured on the Denver episode of "Man vs. Food" so you know it's good!

This Song

"Helplessness Blues" by Fleet Foxes

The Fleet Foxes managed to make a surprising, but blissful, ear concoction in this song off their upcoming LP. The lyrics can be interpreted as completely hopeful or completely depressed. The instrumentation is what I enjoy most. It blends haunting harmonies, border on bluegrass a la Mumford and Sons, and soars in an unexpected, quiet kind of way.

This CD

21-Adele

I'm pretty much obsessed with this CD, but before I praise this epic, timeless album, I must first say that Adele's voice is truly beautiful. It's so distinct and so flawless. Having a voice like her's is rare, and what's even rarer is that there are no cans of whip cream attached to her boobs and no popping out of egg and people are still paying attention to her. That's how powerful her instrument is, and she uses it on this album to lament heartbreak. Her experience is so personal and so raw that I feel like she's understood every crumbled relationship I've been a part of. Her best tracks, besides the Johnny Cash inspired ">"Rolling in the Deep", are "Set Fire to the Rain" and the beautiful "Someone Like You." I absolutely adore Adele.

This Man

Stephen Colbert

I find Stephen Colbert to be a giant ball of amusement. His sense of humor is unlike other's on TV. He's so good at his ridiculous 'character' on 'The Colbert Report' that I sometimes think he is that way in real life (not so, or at least so I'm told). I find him charming and smart, a lot of things that Jon Stewart is as well, but for some reason, Stephen seems more ridiculous and I love him for it. Also, I hear he is a huge nerd in real life and this makes me respect him more.

This Video Game

Beatles Rock Band

There are few things I love more in life than the Beatles and pretending to be a rock star, and this game is a heavenly combination of both. The graphics are trippy, cool, and make you appreciate the growth of The Beatles. I like playing Rock Band in general (even more fun when the roommate and I make it into a drinking game), but getting to rock out on 'Day Tripper' and 'Hello, Goodbye' is as close as I'll get to a rock and roll lifestyle.

This Cookbook

Hungry Girl

If you know me at all, then you know that I have quite an appetite. This is sometimes not a good thing, but I feel like I've found my kindred spirit in Hungry Girl. The book contains loads of recipes, all of which are good for you! True, she substitutes some of the good things in life with healthier options, but I figure it's fine when it still tastes good...and it does. Check out her plethora of books or her website!

10 Things: The Music Version

So I just now noticed that I did not do one of my '10 Things' entries for the month of March. As I hastily tried to put something together, I realized that I am sort of tired of that format and I need to change it up. So instead I decided that I'll do four '10 Things' installments about music, movies, television, and books over the next few weeks. So here we have my 10 songs that I am really enjoying at the moment.

Mumford & Sons "Little Lion Man"

This British band is probably my current favorites. They sound familiar, yet so different at the same time. 'The Cave' is a fantastic song, as is this one. I recommend the CD that both of these singles are from, called "Sigh No More."

Marina and the Diamonds "I Am Not A Robot"

Another British singer! Marina has a very unique voice, sometimes I like it and sometimes I don't. This song in particular is very catchy. I think she will find some success when she comes stateside. Check out their other song "Hollywood" which is also really good.

Jay-Z "A Star is Born"

I say this as the whitest of white girls, but I am really enjoying Jay-Z lately. I appreciate how great of a performer he is, how he appreciates music of all types, and how his songs can be anthems but also speak to current topics. Jay is the best!

B.o.B. featuring Hayley Williams "Airplanes"

This is kinda an emotastic teen anthem, but it's catchy as hell. I think Hayley Williams has a truly fantastic voice (see her band's cover of 'Use Somebody' and her singing 'Bad Romance' if you aren't convinced). B.o.B. is certainly making a name for himself in making songs that don't involve rapping about stupid shit. Me gusta.

Bob Dylan "The Times They Are A-Changing"

A lot of people claim that Bob is a "prophet" which is a tall order, but he sure is perceptive. Written in the advent of the 1960s, the general themes of this song are still relevant in modern times. Bob Dylan proves why he is one of the best.

James Morrison "Please Don't Stop the Rain"

Not to be confused with the dead Doors frontman, James Morrison has a unique and really beautiful voice. I absolutely love his tone and this little song makes me smile every time I hear it.

Local Natives "Wide Eyes"

The vocals on this song, which sound either like two guys are singing the lead or there is a slight echo, are very haunting and I really find it to be easy to listen to and engaging. I think Local Natives will enjoy some nice indie success that will put them in similar categories as other former indie bands.

The Killers "All These Things I've Done"

This is probably not only my favorite Killers song, but also one of my favorite songs ever, which is not easy for me to say. I once read that "All These Things I've Done" is like U2's "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" in that it's a song about looking back on life and trying to go forward. I completely agree.

The Shins "New Slang"

I first discovered The Shins on the Garden State soundtrack and I really liked them. There's something in their music that reminds me of the early Beatles. They have catchy hooks and I find myself going back to this song constantly.

Regina Spektor "Us"

I love Regina's writing style and her voice is very elegant and distinct. I liked this song before it was perfectly featured in the opening credits of '500 Days of Summer,' which only made me like it more. Her songs have novel-like imagery and it's fantastic.

10 Things I Like (January)

This TV show

"Big Love" is fantastic in a guilty pleasure kind of way. I'm currently watching season 3, so slightly behind, but loving it.

This actor

Nicholas Hoult, you are dreamy. And to think you used to be that nerdy kid in "About A Boy." Sigh.

This website

Tumblr. I hate you but I love you.

This song

"Tik Tok" may be her big hit, but "Kiss 'N Tell" is pop refreshment at it's finest.

This CD

Vampire Weekend, you got better with your second album. Well done. Now, don't let me down when I see you in Philly.

This Band


I absolutely adore Phoenix. Their CD is great and I would LOVE to see them live. "1901" is their strongest song by far, but that doesn't mean the other songs are terrible in any way.

This Musical


"Spring Awakening" may be a little depressing and slightly confusing at times, but the music is awesome worth the price of admission and then some.

This Book

"The Gathering" by Anne Enright is a beautiful Irish novel. I read it in my Modern Irish Literature class over a year ago, but I went back to it and read it from a writer's perspective and it is crafted in such a beautiful way that I'm envious of her writing skills.

This Restaurant/Fast Food Place

I love to go to Panera, find a nice booth to write and read in, eat some healthy food, and continually steal pop from their soda machine.

Lines from This Movie

"This is a story of boy meets girl. The boy, Tom Hansen of Margate, New Jersey, grew up believing that he'd never truly be happy until the day he met the one. This belief stemmed from early exposure to sad British pop music and a total mis-reading of the movie 'The Graduate'. The girl, Summer Finn of Shinnecock, Michigan, did not share this belief. Since the disintegration of her parent's marriage she'd only love two things. The first was her long dark hair. The second was how easily she could cut it off and not feel a thing. Tom meets Summer on January 8th. He knows almost immediately she is who he has been searching for. This is a story of boy meets girl, but you should know upfront, this is not a love story."

Rachel: Better that you find this out now before you come home and find her in bed with Lars from Norway

Tom: Who's Lars from Norway?

Rachel: He's some guy she met at the gym with Brad Pitt's face and Jesus' abs

"I don't know how to tell you this, but there's a Chinese family in our bathroom."

10 things I like now (December)

This store

Oh, Urban Outfitters. You will drive me into debt one day.

This actor

I know it's silly, but for some reason I find Cory Montieth of 'Glee' to be totally dreamy in a high-school-fan-girl kind of way.

This movie

Weeks after seeing "The Blind Side," I'm still thinking about it. It was a truly uplifting film and a very good sports movie!

This city

Denver, I miss you. Don't worry, I'm coming home soon.

This man

Colin Firth: Dreamy and Darcy (twice!)

This drink

I really like Great Lakes Christmas Ale, especially around the holidays. Don't tell New Belgium.

These lines from this movie


"I realize that when I met you at the turkey curry buffet, I was unforgivably rude, and wearing a reindeer jumper."

"I like you...just as you are."

"Resolution #1: uggg - will obviously lose 20 lbs. #2: always put last night's panties in the laundry basket. Equally important: will find nice sensible boyfriend and stop forming romantic attachments to any of the following: alcoholics, workoholics, sexaholics, commitment-phobics, peeping toms, megalomaniacs, emotional fuckwits, or perverts. Will especially stop fantasizing about a particular person who embodies all these things."

"I'm sorry? Outside? Should I bring my dueling pistols or my sword?"

This book

There are many, many stories written about WWII and the Nazi occupation, but "The Book Thief" is a breath of fresh air. With a twist on the setting, the characters, and the style, this thick YA novel is a page turner and truly satisfying in so many ways. It is a real artistic and literary achievement!

This TV show

"The Big Bang Theory" is funny and not campy at all. They don't follow a lot of normal sitcom conventions either and the characters are truly dynamic and funny. I LOVE Jim Parson as Sheldon, he is hilarious. Plus, these guys make me feel so less nerdy.

This CD

I know I mentioned Pixie Lott once before in this blog, but now my affinity for her has grown. Since downloading her album "Turn It Up" I have been listening to the whole thing (and genuinely enjoying it) on repeat. She reminds a little of Natasha Bedingfield, only she can sing better, and she's quirky and conventional, and just all around good pop music.


That's all for December! This feature will be back in January!

10 things that I like right now

10 Things that I like right now (because I have nothing else to write about)

This CD

Florence and the Machine, "Lungs": Her voice is melodic and haunting, I love her lyrics and her style. Plus, she is Britsh. So that means I like her even more.

These girls

Kelley and Abby are still in Cincinnati and still keep me entertained. Bless them.

This Book

"The Wednesday Wars" by Gary Schmidt: I love it so much that I am teaching it to the 7th and 8th graders. It's a charming and witty tale about a 7th grader reading Shakespeare and growing up in the Vietnam era. Parts are tender and true, others are off the wall and laugh out loud funny. Perfect for the classroom!

This TV Show Couple

Finn and Rachel as seen on Fox's "Glee": They are both big characters with big voices and have undeniable chemistry. I hope they continue to sing together on the show! (And I hope that one of these pregnancy plotlines gets dropped soon)


This Drink

Diet Mountain Dew: Keeps me caffinated throughout the school day. And tastes good! And is zero Weight Watchers points!


This TV Show

"Modern Family" on ABC: Every week if makes me laugh out loud, so much sometimes that I almost end up crying (see the episode with Shelly Long in it). The adults are sometimes stereotypical, but they are painfully honest. There are some fantastic lines on this show..."at least I don't have a son who wears aftershave and dresses like a count" "why is our daughter dressed as the hamburgler?" and, of course, "Batman doesn't get picked on because he's a muscular genius. Manny can't make it to the top bunk."


This Author

John Green, author of "Paper Towns," "An Abundance of Katherines," and "Looking for Alaska": Now I've only read two of is books and I only liked one of them ("Katherines"), but I'm a huge fan of his video blogs on YouTube. He's funny and philosophical, the perfect combination! I went to see him in Columbus and get some books signed and he was humble, funny, awkward and very intent on making sure that everyone had a good time a got their books signed. What a good guy!


These Movie Stars

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint: I love all three of these actors and they are even pretty good when they aren't in Harry Potter related projects (Dan Radcliffe was hilarious in his guest stint on 'Extras' and Rupert was very good as a boy learning to drive in 'Driving Lessons'). These kids are movie stars, but still seem approachable, and terribly normal. They act like kids their age, but don't embarrass themselves. I'm excited to see what their futures have in store for them!


This Comedian

Conan O'Brien: I love him, he makes me laugh, and I'm so used to watching him almost every day that I feel a little empty if I don't. Sad. But he makes me laugh when I'm sick, tired or cranky. And who doesn't love a man who does that?

This Poem

Invictus


Out of the night that covers me,
Black as
the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my
unconquerable soul.

In the fell cluthc of circusmstance
I have not
winced nor cried aloud
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloddy,
but unbowed

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror
of the shade
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me
unafraid

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with
punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my
soul

"Invictus" by William Ernest Henley: I didn't know of this poem's existence until I saw the trailer for the movie by the same title. I read the poem and loved it, looked up its meaning and its connection to the movie and loved it more. The last four lines really get me!