A Very Boring January

According to my calendar, today is January 31, but to me it feels as if 2011 is much further gone. I suppose if I were busy, instead of sitting around the house all day waiting for a job to magically appear, time would feel more rushed. However, each day drags on and feels more like two or three.

If I had to describe this January in one word, it was definitely a month of waiting. I had applied for a job in mid-December, and the organization's hiring process took a lot longer than I expected. First I had to wait through the Christmas holidays for my phone interview, then I had to wait a week for their decision, then I had to wait a week for my flight to Maryland, and then I had to wait for their final decision. In the end, all the waiting added up to a big pile of nothing, except one more failed interview experience under my belt.

My time wasn't completely wasted, though. I know what once I start working somewhere, I'll have a lot less time to spend on my actors and books. So what better way to spend those long, empty days than catching up with my obscure British actors, discovering new ones through all the TV shows and movies I discovered, and reading books. And with no homework assignments or shifts at work, I was able to spend a lot of quality time with my friends. This wasn't the most exciting January, but it certainly beats another semester at school.

Another Missed Job Opportunity

It's been five days since my last post, which would usually indicate that my interest in this blog is already fading. However, I honestly did think about posting each day; I just genuinely had nothing to say! I'm still working my way through the same TV shows and books, so there's nothing new to review or recommend, and yesterday was the first day I'd left the house all week. For the most part, I've spent the week waiting for a phone call from the company I interviewed with last week. Every morning I thought "Maybe today is the day I'll get a real job!" Unfortunately, as I discovered yesterday, they have hired another applicant and I'm back to square one.

I really thought I had a chance at this job (since they flew me to Maryland for the second interview), but I guess the other applicants were even more amazing than me. I wouldn't be surprised if most of them had several more years of experience than me; so many historical organizations (museums, libraries, archives, etc) have had to cut staff that every stack of applications is filled with talent. And it doesn't help that I'm absolutely terrible at interviews. I look great on paper, but in person I get so nervous that I'm a mumbling mess. This one went A LOT better than my first real interview in November, though, so I hope that I'll keep improving with each one. The company also asked three times as many questions as my last interviewer, so I have a better idea of what answers I need to prepare.

I applied for this job waaaay back in mid-December, so the uncertainty of my future has been hanging over my head for the past month and a half. Now that I know their answer, I'm moving onto Plan B. I'm going to start volunteering at two organizations in town (probably the Civil Rights Institute and the county archives) while I simultaneously search for a part-time retail job. I managed to save up quite a bit during my two-year stint as a GRA at West Georgia, but those funds have been slowly dwindling since last summer. Since I still live with my parents, I don't spend a lot of money, and working in retail will give me more than enough to bulk up my savings account again.

With any luck, volunteering at an organization and archiving for free will open up new doors for me. Most places hire from within, so there are very few entry-level positions advertised online. I just know that an employer would be impressed with me if he could see me in action, rather than basing his decision on a resume and a half-hour interview. Even if neither organization has the funds to hire me at some point this year, they'll at least be in touch with other archives in the state, so they may hear about job openings that I would otherwise miss.

As much as I would have loved working and living in Maryland, part of me is very happy to remain in Birmingham. Everyone I know and love is within a three-hour radius, and I'd miss my life here if I had to move far away.

Review: Him & Her

I first heard about the television show Him & Her about six months ago, when Russell Tovey kept tweeting about his new show. It got a little bit of buzz on the websites I frequent (I wouldn't know about half of my favorite British shows if it weren't for the internet, let alone able to watch them), but there's been no indication that BBC America will air it. So when I found it on youtube a few days ago, I jumped at the chance to watch it. 

The title of the show is very simple, but it perfectly describes the plot: for six half-hour episodes, we get a glimpse into the life of Steve and Becky, who have been dating for seven months. There's only one set - Steve's flat - and a small group of friends and relatives to round out the cast.

I wasn't completely charmed by the pilot episode, but I rarely dismiss a TV show after only one episode, so I went ahead and started the second one. Once I had a feel for the show and the characters, I kept watching episodes until I (all too quickly) finished the series.

Him & Her works so well because it's meant to be a realistic representation of couples in their mid-20s (after they leave college for the real world), and the comedy stems from the absurdity found in every day situations. During the course of the series, we meet Steve's slightly creepy neighbor, watch Steve meet his girlfriend's parents, celebrate his birthday, and get annoyed that his girlfriend's sister won't let him watch the football game. I love a surreal comedy like The Mighty Boosh as much as the next girl, but I really appreciate a story that mirrors the simplicity of my own life. For this very reason, I found the style of Him & Her to be very reminiscent of the original UK version of The Office. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - Him & Her improved with every episode, and I'd love for it to get a second series.

Current Obsessions (Disguised as Recommendations), Part 2

Now reading: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett - One of my great obsessions is medieval England, so the modern classic The Pillars of the Earth has been on my radar for several years. I watched the mini-series last year and absolutely loved it, although I tended to yell at the TV every time that the true historical account of The Anarchy was changed to suit Follett's plot. I started reading the book a couple of days ago, and I must admit, I can't put it down. Despite the fact that he's yet another author who changes history on a whim, I can't deny that Follett is a masterful storyteller when employing his own characters.

Now watching: Miranda - One week ago, I had never heard of the TV show Miranda or its creator and star, Miranda Hart. Now, it's one of my top ten favorite Britcoms (mental note: top ten list would make a great blog post). I watched all twelve episodes of its two seasons in three days, and I'm going through such terrible withdrawals that I will probably watch it again next week. Oh all right, I admit it...I'm madly in love with Gary (played by the adorable Tom Ellis) and want to see him again.

Can you blame a girl?

Now listening to: "Proud" by Heather Small - This song is one of the running jokes in Miranda, but it's actually legitimately good!

Clearance Sales and $1 Movies, aka, The World of Unemployment

When you're as lazy as I can be, you tend to postpone running errands until you have so many that you're gone all day.  Yesterday was one of those days, and I can gladly say that I successfully accomplished all three missions: flail over The Social Network, buy a new top and a little black dress, and have a fun dinner date with friends.

Since I've been unemployed since last May, I've had to severely limit my spending on books and DVDs.  The Social Network was released last week, and I've spent every day since gushing over the clips and quotes from all the glorious special features; however, I was very good and didn't buy it.  Instead, I went to the $1 movie theater and saw it on the big screen again.  I loved it just as much the second time around, and the fact that I knew every twist and turn meant that I didn't embarrass myself with incessant giggling.  One other point worth mentioning: I was the youngest person in the theater by A LOT.  Everyone else was at least sixty years old, so I kept wondering why they were seeing a movie about facebook.  I mean, at its heart it's really the story of a friendship betrayed (the friendship of HOT YOUNG ACTORS, that is), but surely understanding the social media context leads to a greater appreciation.

When the movie ended, I had two and a half hours to kill before I was going to meet my friends for dinner.  I've been trying to bulk up my wardrobe with professional clothes, so obviously I decided to go shopping for the one thing that I can buy.  I went to Burlington Coat Factory for the first time, and I have to say I was terribly disappointed, mostly by the horrible organization (if I'm looking in the "medium" section, I expect there to be mostly medium sizes, not a jumble of everything!).

My disappointment was short-lived, though, because I hit the jackpot at TJ Maxx.  I went in on a mission to find a simple long-sleeved black shirt (the one I currently wear with skirts is several years old), and I found one on the first rack.  With time to spare, I wandered over to the dress section, and I founded the cutest little black dress there.  And it was in the clearance section to boot!  It's a short-sleeve dress with a scooped neck and a bell skirt, originally priced for $129, and I bought it for only $20.  I tried it on again at home with a skinny red belt, and it is GORGEOUS.  Best dress I've ever owned.

After TJ Maxx, I headed down to Alabaster to meet my friends.  This week, we went the cheap route and ate at Chick-fil-A, but no one complained because on the plus side, we got to eat at Chick-fil-A! We had to break apart right after dinner, rather than meandering around the bookstore like we usually do, but it's so nice to have free time to see each other that none of us minded.

The 2011 Golden Globes

As a TV, movie, and actor junkie, it should come as no surprise that I'm a HUGE fan of  awards season.  Every year, I faithfully watch the Emmys, Golden Globes, and Oscars, and if I lived in England, I'd happily watch the BAFTAs too. 

Usually I have to watch the awards shows by myself, but last year I discovered a kindred spirit in my roommate Shanda.  This year, we no longer live together, but since we're both done with graduate school and back in the Birmingham area, we got together to watch last night's Golden Globes at her house. 

The two movies that really stood out this year, at least to me, were The King's Speech and The Social Network.  Shanda and I were thrilled when Colin Firth won Best Actor (Drama) because out of all of his memorable roles, King George VI is without a doubt his best performance.  And since Geoffrey Rush's character and performance was so integral to the success of the movie, we both wished that he had won a Golden Globe alongside Colin Firth.

As much as I loved The King Speech, I was SO EXCITED when The Social Network won Best Picture (Drama) because a) it surpassed everyone's expectations and was GREAT and b) it's sure to be a movie that defines my generation.  Similarly, I believe that David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin deserved their wins in their respective categories, Best Director and Best Screenplay.  Without these two solid foundations, The Social Network would have been as laughably bad as people expected it to be, even with the actors' amazing performances.

For the television awards, I had a much hard time picking out my favorites because there are so many quality shows on the air right now.  However, I think the Golden Globes completely missed the boat in several key categories.  I really enjoyed the first season of Boardwalk Empire, but I wouldn't name it Best Television Series (Drama) like the Golden Globes did.  Steve Buscemi definitely deserved to win for Best Actor (Drama), though, and Kelly MacDonald was robbed of her award,  Their scenes were always amazing, and their performances instantly elevated the quality of individual episodes.

In the comedy category, I didn't approve of the way that Glee dominated with Best Television Series (Comedy), Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress.  I adore Jane Lynch, but that award should have gone to Kelly MacDonald, and Glee is too uneven to be called "the best" when Modern Family is consistently hilarious.  I am glad that Chris Colfer won, though...anyone who watches Glee can tell you that he deserves all of the praise that he receives.

The only award I'm truly upset over, though, is Best Miniseries or TV Movie.  I've never heard of Carlos, so it might be wonderful....but how did The Pacific not win???  I'm completely obsessed with The Pacific (I've seen it three times and it just gets better and better with each viewing), and I totally went into that award with a false sense of security.  "Of course The Pacific is going to win, just like it did at the Emmys and just like Band of Brothers did...it's just the best!"  Ugh, I am so disappointed in you, Golden Globes.

Review: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

I've been aware of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy for years, even before the movie adaptation of The Golden Compass came out in 2007, but I read it for the first time this week.  I absolutely loved the entire series, and I sped through the last book in record time because I was dying to know what would happen.  Book stores and libraries classify the series as young adult fiction, but I think reading it as an adult made me appreciate certain aspects of the story more than I would have ten years ago (when I was fourteen).

Since His Dark Materials is a fantasy story, the plot is hard to explain to someone who hasn't read them too.  Lyra Belacqua is an orphan who lives at Oxford University, but not our Oxford.  Her world is very similar to ours, with a few adjustments, such as witches, armored polar bears, and daemons (a tangible part of the soul that takes the form of the animal, depending on each person's unique personality).  What drives the plot, though, is Dust.  Some people want to study it, some want to destroy it, and Lyra's destiny is tied to it.  And really, saying anything more than that would ruin most of the twists and turns of the story.

His Dark Materials might be classified as a young adult series, but Pullman has said in interviews that he intended for adults to read the books too.  Because he had such a diverse audience in mind, Pullman did not write the series at a juvenile reading level.  There are some themes that children can relate to (childhood vs. adulthood, the pros and cons of growing up), and there are other themes that adults would appreciate more (religion vs. science, the beauty and value of all forms of life); however, everybody can enjoy Lyra's adventure for the pure narrative alone, without any knowledge of various symbolic meanings and parallels.

It's impossible to discuss His Dark Materials without mentioning the controversies that erupted first when it was published and again when the movie premiered.  I've seen the series described as the anti-Chronicles of Narnia, and Pullman purposely created a narrative that inverted Paradise Lost.  One of my few complaints is that all the "good" characters are either skeptical or completely reject religion while all the religious leaders are written as zealots trying to maintain complete control over society.  A mixture of the groups would have made for even more interesting characters, but then Pullman probably would have had a harder time telling the story he wanted.  However, I would still encourage everyone (children and adults alike) to read this series because it's an engaging adventure story on the surface, yet it contains so many parallels to our society that the reader is forced to stop and think. 

Rating - 4.5 out of 5 stars - There were some chapters that dragged in the third book, and I felt that one of the major plotlines had a weak conclusion.  Overall, though, His Dark Materials is one of the best fantasy series I've ever read.

400 Years of the King James Bible

In 1611, after a seven-year process, the King James Version of the Bible was printed for the first time.  Yesterday, BBC Radio 4 celebrated the historic event by airing selected readings by various actors, which I downloaded as podcasts.  I'm always thrilled to hear my obscure British actors read to me (I have dozens of audiobooks for this exact reason, although I've only listened to a few of them), but I'm particularly excited by the three-part documentary on the KJV's creation and legacy.

Way back in 9th grade (let's not think about the fact that it's been ten years...), I wrote my very first research paper.  My English teacher gave us a long list of possible topics, and, in the name of fairness, drew our names out of a hat.  Mine ended up being last, so all of the topics I wanted had already been chosen.  Since my choices were limited, I mindlessly grabbed one of the few remaining ones: the creation of the King James Bible.  I don't remember what grade I received, but I do remember having a hard time filling out the required three pages; my paper was probably only two and a half.  Of course, I had no idea that in ten years time I would be able to effortlessly write a three-page paper the night before it was due, but at the time it was just so hard.

Somehow that feeling of semi-failure stuck with me, and when it came time to choose the topic of my senior thesis - my last research paper at Montevallo - I revisited the topic.  This time, I managed to churn out twenty pages (although once my professor had finished editing it, the final version was closer to seventeen), and I was thoroughly proud of it.  It was a fascinating subject to research, and I think my interest showed in my final product.  When History Day arrived and my senior seminar class gave our presentations, several people told me that mine was one of the best.

Because I know the historical context and significance of the translation, it really upset me when I heard that people complained to BBC Radio for airing the readings.  It is possible to celebrate the creation of the King James Version without promoting Christianity over all other religions.  It was a remarkable feat that was unprecedented for its time, and there are reasons that it has survived when most other translations have been forgotten.

Prior to the King James Bible, most translations were the product of one man's work, or at most, with the help of a few colleagues.  Even with approximately fifty scholars, though, the King James Version took seven years to finish, largely because these men were devoted to accurately translating every single word.  They were the best English scholars of their time, with many holding Greek and Hebrew positions at Oxford and Cambridge, and they reviewed everybody's work before the final version was approved.  Their method of peer review was unprecedented for vernacular translations of the Bible, and the subsequent high quality of their translation cannot be a coincidence.

The beauty of the language is another effect of their detailed work, and it is possibly the only reason why the King James Version has lasted for four hundred years.  It was not immediately popular in 1611, but the Geneva Bible and the Bishops' Bible that it was designed to replace have been virtually forgotten, as have most translations that came after it.  Other popular translations have appeared in the past century (New International, New American Standard, etc.), but only time will tell if any of them can successfully displace the King James Version.  In my experience, people bought them because they wanted a Bible without all the thee's and thou's, yet they consistently use the King James Version to quote verses, whether subconsciously or not. 

I'm by no means a language scholar, so I don't pretend to know if the King James Version is the best English translation of the Bible.  They were humans, like we all are, and surely made their own share of mistakes.  However, its influence on English - and therefore American - culture can be found in language and literature, as well as religion.  I personally am glad that BBC Radio highlighted the translation's 400th anniversary and tried to educate the public about its historical context, who knows - maybe its popularity will last another four hundred years.

A New Semester for Some (But Not Me)

Now that the New Year has come and the holiday festivities are over, nearly everyone I know is preparing for another semester of classes, whether they are the teachers or the students.  Needless to say, graduation has yet to sink in, and occasionally I feel the dread of another round of classes too.  However, for the first time since I was five years old, the school calendar no longer controls my life. 

I've been unusually busy for the past few days; well, unusually busy for me.  On Thursday, I spent the day in Tuscaloosa with my friend Laura, who is in her second year of law school.  Her dad found forty Doctor Who DVDs at an estate sale, which he gave to her for Christmas, so we picked a few to watch.  Doctor Who marathons are always a great way to spend the day, and it was nice to hang out with Laura while I can.  I certainly know from experience that graduate school (and law school in particular) keeps people too busy to have fun.

Yesterday, on Friday, I went to dinner with my group of friends, which was great since I hadn't seen any of them (except Laura) in two weeks.  Although we went to a steakhouse, I decided my wallet and waistline would be happier with a small salad and a bowl of soup.  Not that the grilled chicken in a portabella mushroom sauce didn't sound awfully tempting (mental note: find recipe and try).

Today I spent the morning shopping, but it wasn't very productive; I only found one shirt to buy.  Now I'm back at home, catching up on my hulu.com queue and finishing The Golden Compass.  Pretty much the typical end to a typical week, with next week looking to be more of the same as well.

Current Obsessions (Disguised as Recommendations)

After the non-stop action of the holidays, my life has slowly settled back into its old routine.  I'm still checking archival job listings every week, and in another week or two, I'll start searching for a part-time retail job.  Until then, though, I'm enjoying my break between college and the real world by reading as many books and watching as many actors as I possibly can.  And since my day revolves around books and actors, I thought I'd talk about my most recent discoveries.

Now reading: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman - When I was in middle school I adored reading Pullman's Sally Lockhart trilogy, which was about a girl solving mysteries in Victorian England, and I still read them every two or three years.  I always meant to read his other trilogy, His Dark Materials, but I didn't even buy the books until the movie came out in 2007.  I'm only 100 pages into the first book, but I can already tell that I won't be disappointed. 

Now listening to: "I See the Light" from Tangled - I found this song on youtube before the movie was even released, and my first reaction was a) oooh this is pretty and b) OMG ZACH LEVI IS SINGING *swoon*.  After seeing the movie and placing the song in the proper context, though, I've become absolutely obsessed.  I listen to it at least once a day, and I see no need to apologize.




Now watching: Upstairs, Downstairs - Last week, the BBC aired a three-hour miniseries rebooting the classic 1970s drama Upstairs, Downstairs, set six years after the original series ended and introducing completely new characters.  I've never seen the original series (PBS hasn't re-aired it in ages and the DVDs are dreadfully expensive), but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the show in the slightest.  It started out a little wobbly (I found several of the characters boring at first), but I thought it ended very strongly.  I particularly loved the theme of responsibility to the family and the shifting definitions of family.  Oh, and this man certainly added to the appeal:

I wouldn't mind seeing Ed Stoppard show up in all of my costume dramas.

Post-Holiday Update

It's now January 3, and the holiday season is pretty much over for me.  I've visited everyone I needed to, the leftovers have finally been eaten, and if I hadn't already graduated (woot!), I'd be getting ready for a new semester of classes.  Pretty much the only thing left on my list is to take down the Christmas tree and decorations, which I'll probably do today.

After my trip to Tennessee last week, I spent one night at home before heading to Anniston to see my friend Rachel.  I always look forward to visiting her because we always have such a fun and relaxing time, just sitting on her couch, talking, eating junk food, and watching pretty British actors.  I'm not exaggerating when I say that we never leave the house except to scavenge for food, and even then, the wonders of delivery pizza occasionally take that responsibility out of our hands.

We had a particularly fantastic playlist this time.  We watched two discs of How I Met Your Mother, one of Supernatural, two of Brisco County Jr., Jurassic Park, How to Train Your Dragon, and an old-school Doctor Who ("The Robots of Death" with Tom Baker).  The icing on the cake, though, was when we left the house and saw Tangled.  I know, I know, I just said that we never leave the house, but this was the exception that proves the rule.  Kerri came over on New Years Eve because she had the day off work, and she wanted to go see the new Chronicles of Narnia movie.  However, on the ten-minute ride into town, she and Rachel referenced a joke in Tangled and were horrified when I didn't get it.  Despite the fact that neither had seen Narnia, they agreed that Tangled was a far more pressing concern.  Even with the annoying children sitting behind us, we all agreed that it held up on a second (or first) viewing and is one of the cutest movies ever.

I would have stayed with Kerri and Rachel through New Years, but I had plans to visit my dad's side of the family on Saturday.  Since my parents decided we wouldn't spend Christmas Day with them, like in years past, I was glad that I got to see them at all.  I knew when Nanny died that I would see that side of the family less often than before, so I treasured the time I had with them.

I've been home for a couple of days now, and it feels weird settling into my old routine of staying in the house all day.  I keep feeling like there is something I should be doing or some place that I should be going, but there's nothing to do now but wait and continue my job search.  Hopefully I'll have some news regarding that in the coming weeks!

Five Goals for 2011

I've never been one to make New Years' Resolutions, but there are several things that I hope will happen during the next year.

1. GET A REAL JOB - Self-explanatory, really.  I need a job in my field and with a proper salary, not a part-time retail position.
2. Go on a Road Trip - I love to travel, and there's nothing more fun than piling friends into a car and driving somewhere.  The only problem is coordinating schedules, so we haven't done one in nearly two years.
3. Expand My Cultural Horizons - I missed a lot of cool exhibits and plays when I was living in Carrollton because I could never get home on the right weekends.  Birmingham has a lot of fancy-pants cultural experiences, from art and orchestras to Broadway shows and museums, and I need to take more advantage of them.
4. Get My Own Apartment - Really, this goes hand-in-hand with getting a real job because I can't afford it until I earn a decent salary.  Living with my parents is convenient for many reasons, but I really miss having my own place like I did in graduate school.
5. Study the Bible More - My only real resolution, since everything else is an event and not a promise to change my daily routine.  However, now that I'm finished with school and its required assignments, I can no longer hide behind the excuse that "I never have time."  And what better time to start than on January 1, right?