Documentaries!

You know what's super great about rainy days and even feeling kinda sicky? I can watch all the documentaries I want on Netflix streaming, and there's no reason not to! Here's a list of the ones I've watched recently:

1) No Impact Man - interesting story of a year in the life of an NYC-based couple with one child who attempt to go one year leaving no carbon footprint. There are definite little steps you can take from this that are very doable: biking or walking instead of driving or taking public transport, shopping at your local farmers market, cutting down on trash by curbing buying things, etc. Now, the going without electricity and toilet paper....not so sure about that.

2) Food, Inc. - Fascinating story of how very few large corporations actually own most of the food produced in this country. Be prepared to see animals mistreated and find out how sneaky some of these corporations can be. Now, I don't know if all of this is the God's-honest truth, but it certainly made me glad I've made the switch to veganism. Buy organic!

3) The Business of Being Born - Mostly an advocacy film for midwifery and natural childbirth. It seems like a good way to go. I was astonished to learn of all these "designer births" with moms choosing induction dates and scheduling c-sections. I definitely understand that sometimes a c-section is necessary, and thank goodness we have qualified surgeons who can help in those scary times, but for the most part, I think women should be able to trust their own bodies and have a natural birth. It's what we're made to do!

4) National Geographic: China's Lost Girls - This one was made even more interesting to me because I know a couple who just adopted a little girl from China last December. China's one-child policy coupled with a traditional desire for boy children has left thousands of little girls abandoned, hidden, or even killed. Lisa Ling follows a group of American couples going to China to adopt little girls. Tearjerker, people.

5) A State of Mind - Follows two young gymnasts in North Korea as they prepare to participate in the Mass Games, an enormous dance/gymnastics extravaganza designed to show the people's dedication to their country, their leader and communism. And boy, do they hate America. Quite interesting. I found out I know nothing at all about North Korea. And I'm sure that's just the way they want it.

6) Exit Through the Gift Shop - This one's pretty kooky! It follows a French "filmmaker" named Thierry as he delves into the world of street art. He's a nut, so it's pretty entertaining.

7) Every Little Step - Follows the audition process (all 8 months of it!) for the revival of A Chorus Line on Broadway in 2006. It was even cooler to watch because I saw that production with the original cast when I lived in NYC. Fascinating portrait.

8) Paper Clips - The story of a middle school in rural Tennessee that does an in-depth Holocaust study by collecting 6 million paper clips for each Jew killed. Everyone learns about tolerance and evil and injustice. Watch with tissues. The Holocaust survivor stories are so touching.

9) Ballerina - A couple years in the lives of 5 Russian ballerinas at the Kirov ballet. It's like Black Swan without all the crazy, which is why I prefer this one. The dancing is amazing, and seeing their process of choosing girls from age 10 is fascinating.


Seen any good documentaries lately?

Tomorrow's my birthday

So, tomorrow I'm turning 29. Some people think of this as rather tragic, but I'm looking forward to it. Like most milestones in my life, I'm going to attach some sort of mystical power to this birthday, the one bringing me that much closer to ending my 20's. I've been reflecting on my life lately and realize that I'm constantly looking for a thrill, for fulfillment, for SOMETHING exciting to happen. I always think it will come when I begin something new: a new job, get a new apartment, start a new school, heck, buy a new pair of shoes. Yet nothing really changes. I'm still the same me. No big shocking revelation happens, no horrible tragedy, no amazing good thing. Just life continues. Is it wrong for me to yearn for something new, different, and exciting? Is it wrong to want to be special, to be different?

I've been thinking a lot about the concept of "ambition." This has weighed on my mind for years. I remember several years ago being in a Bible study and the subject of ambition came up. I said something about ambition being a good thing and that I was glad I had it and suddenly everyone looked at me like I was an alien or something. Apparently, ambition is a bad thing. I was unaware. I always thought ambition was that drive to be something special, to be successful. I never thought of that as a bad thing. But maybe it is. Maybe I'm so unbelievably selfish that I can't see how that wouldn't be a good thing. Of course, I want to follow God's will, and I know He says to put others before myself. That's not something I'm very good at, unfortunately. And I just can't shake that feeling that I'm meant for something bigger than my little life. And I keep thinking it's coming just around the bend. With this move, with this birthday, with this new beginning.

I've tried running to different places, only to find the same old me there that was in the last place. It doesn't matter where my mail goes: Texas, London, New York, the moon...it will still just be coming to me. Is it wrong that our parents raise us to think we can be anything we want? I'm a very practical and realistic person, but inside me is this crazy daydreamer who's always slightly disappointed. Is this really it?

Thanksgiving

I know, Thanksgiving is in November. But there's nothing wrong with being thankful year-round! Here are some things I'm thankful for today:

1. Sleeping through the night. Sounds insignificant, but you really realize how important sleep is when you don't get enough.

2. The fact that my dog always loves me, even when I'm not a great mommy to her.

3. Curly hair. Seriously, I only have to wash my hair every 3-4 days. That ROCKS.

4. Internet access at work. I think I would quickly go crazy without it.

5. Otters. Come on, they're just flipping cute.

6. Lasik. Best.idea.ever. Not having to wear contacts anymore is awesome.

7. Homemade bread from KG. You have no idea.

8. A great hairdresser. Novi, you make my day.

9. The perfect pair of heels.

10. Cocktail hour. Hey, it's 5 o'clock somewhere!

11. Finding new bands to love. Muse and Mute Math, this is for you.

12. The Doctor.

13. Having a book you look forward to reading. Even if it is young adult vampire fiction.

14. Road trips to New Orleans with the coolest girl ever. Love you, AC!

15. Big Texas sky.

Cookie dough

I am a firm believer in making cookies. And to make cookies, you first have to make cookie dough. And I'm an even bigger believer in eating raw cookie dough. It is how a cookie is first to be enjoyed. And these cookies make the BEST DOUGH.

I believe KG may be a believer now, too. Even if you have to make two stops to track down pumpkin puree in the middle of summer. :)

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Do you remember this book? It was one of my favorites as a kid; I read it multiple times. The story was full of adventure, a girl kicking butt and learning to climb rope ladders, a crazy captain, and murder - all on the high seas. I've been wondering for years why no one has made a movie adaptation. It's the perfect story! Well, I read some potentially good news today - there's a movie in the works! It is to be written and directed by Danny DeVito (not sure what I feel about that), and is slated to star Saoirse Ronan as Charlotte (very good),



Morgan Freeman as Zachariah (yes, please)



and...Pierce Brosnan as Captain Jaggery (hmm...as long as he isn't sporting his Ogilvie Home Perm from Percy Jackson).



But let's hope for the best! Because this book was very important to me as a girl. Not that I'm about to run off to live on a ship, cut all my hair off with a jagged knife, or kill anybody. And I'm certainly not down with having callousy hands. But...it fueled a lot of great daydreams.

Some might ask why I named this blog "daydream believer." Well, there are two reasons:

1. My imagination is usually a much more interesting place to live than in my regular life.
2. I really like that song by the Monkees. And I like the Monkees in general. And in particular. My sister and I grew up watching old reruns of their kooky TV show, and I developed a crush on more than one of them. You can only imagine my heartbreak when I learned they were old enough to be my parents! Tres disappointing. But it would have been cool to hang out with them - they lived in a cool beach house and were in a band and always got into crazy situations. Once they even stayed in a haunted castle! And they had a cool car. See?



Yeah, so that's why I named it this. :)