Oh man. The past two days have been cah-ray-zee.

FIrst off, I did a little more procrastinating yesterday than I had anticipated. Remember, I had been working on finishing my History of Prints extra credit paper comparing Rembrandt to Whistler in terms of printmaking.

After my nap between classes, I later spent time chatting with Colleen and TiVo'ing through the American Idol results show (cutting it down from an hour to 10 minutes).

All in all, not a ton of procrastinating, but I still found the paper to be far more difficult to get out than I had originally anticipated. When I began writing, things were going pretty smoothy, but it went a little downhill. Anyway, long story short (too late), I didn't get it finished until 4:15am. OUCH.

And so I set my alarm for 6:30am, giving myself a full hour to proofread and edit the entire thing before printing off a final draft (and boy did it need it). I still managed to get to my 8:30 class on time and I wasn't falling asleep as I had foreseen.


In fact, I was really quite productive.
- I got to campus a little early and returned a few books to the library (I'm down from 10 to 7!)
- After class, I picked up my graded outline outside my theory and criticism professor's office, so I can use it to work on my term paper over Spring Break
- On my way home, I got gas (because the angry little light came on)
- At my apartment complex, I checked my mail and in addition to my two new Netflixes (Dedication with Mandy Moore and Billy Crudup and Silk with Keira Knightley and fuck all else) I got a postcard from the lovely Laura, who was in Portugal at the time
- Then, I went into the office to pay for electric overages ($0.57...yes, you read that right. I had to write out a check for fifty-seven CENTS).

So it was all little stuff, but still. Quite impressive, and on 2 hours of sleep as well.


Needless to say, I then napped, but only for an hour and a half. I woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed, so I have since feasted on a Hot Pocket for lunch and have plans to make this a "movie day." I'll be hitting up Be Kind, Rewind in Winter Park before meandering over to the Enzian for Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day. Tomorrow morning, I'll be catching The Bank Job for $5, thanks to AMC's A.M.Cinema program, before heading to Spring Hill. Saturday is a mexican fiesta and poker night at my sister's, so awesomeness is bound to ensue!!

Oh, and did I mention?

I'M ON SPRING BREAK!!!


Other plans include getting a new cell phone, taking advantage of Bath & Body Works' $3 hand soap sale (and JUST as I was running out! Literally...my last soap just started to sputter), and using a coupon at Yankee Candle for a reed diffuser. The stupid wall plug-in things are total shite, so I'm thinking diffuser might be the best way to give a fresh, lasting scent to my humble abode. I might get it all done today...who knows?

I've seen 52 movies since August 18th (the beginning of the school year).

Granted, some of those were repeat viewings (I saw Atonement, Sweeney Todd, National Treasure 2, and Juno twice each) and not all were new films (I caught Brazil and Blade Runner at the Enzian this past semester).


But I still went to the movies 52 times in 6 months and 6 days.

And I've seen 29 of the Oscar nominees (a few on DVD, so they don't count into the tally).


Additionally, I paid (or used a gift card) for every one of those, which I know because I have ticket stubs for them. I don't think I've movie hopped at all this year (though my memory is not great and it's possible I snuck into one or two).


I don't know whether to be proud or sickened.


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In other news, it's possible I enjoyed Juno more the second time around. It's really a very good movie. And I think Jennifer Garner is grossly under appreciated for that role. She is simply phenomenal and I cried twice during the movie, mostly for her character. I don't actually cry at movies that often, so that's kinda huge.

So yes.

First off, the Enzian (the local indie theater by me), has been dragging its feet lately to put up the upcoming schedule. They had Persepolis playing for a week. Then it was extended to two weeks. And now it's in it's third week (which I'm kind of glad of because I think I'm going to go see it again...I might cite it in my thesis because it is my thesis...or half of it, at least).

But after that, they only had a few limited engagement things (The Big Lebowski, Pink Floyd's The Wall).

But they have just put up two future events and I'm tres excited about both. Miss Petigrew Lives For a Day (which I think is a lousy title, but looks like a fabulous little movie) and The Band's Visit, which just looks cute and uplifting.

So yay.

In other news, I'm off to see Juno this morning. It's showing before noon, so it's $5, and I happen to have a $5 gift card for AMC, so it's FREE to me. I figured, in honor of it's big wins yesterday (Film Independent's Spirit Award for Best Picture and for Best Actress), and as a precursor to the Oscars this evening...

And I kinda don't want to work on my thesis for 12 hours again. So this will cut that down to about 6 hours today (because there's no way in hell I'm working through the Oscars).


This is kinda late in the game, but just for some fun...predictions!
Best Picture - No Country for Old Men (this one makes me nervous...I though it was much better than There Will Be Blood, but there's been so much hype for Blood lately)
Best Actor - Daniel Day Lewis
Best Actress - Marion Cotillard (but I'm putting Ellen Page as a back-up incase the Academy decides it hates biopics...which it never has, so...)
Best Supporting Actor - Javiar Bardem
Best Supporting Actress - Tilda Swinton (I'm going out on a limb for this one. I'm 85% sure it's going to Cate Blanchett, but I think it would be fabulous for Tilda to take it)
Best Director - Julien Schnabel (or at least he should win, if Best Picture goes to There Will Be Blood, they might give it to the Coens as a consolation)
Best Screenplay, Original - Diablo Cody (with Tamara Jenkins as a close second pick, adults loved The Savages)
Best Screenplay, Adapted - Christopher Hampton (I'm really unsure about this one, but I figure the Academy has to throw Atonement a bone for something, otherwise it'll probably go to the Coens)


As a final note, I went on weather.com to (duh) check the weather, and there was an American Airlines add to receive 60,000 bonus frequent flier miles if I book a ticket round-trip to London. Clearly, it's mocking me, because the first thing I did this morning was gaze longingly at my Europe pictures (I have 8 framed 5x7s hanging on my wall). While I was really admiring Barcelona today (it's different everyday), Barcelona is just a train ride away from London...


And if I don't leave now, I'll be late for Juno. Zut!

I love Regal Cinemas, I really do.

But...

AMC might be pulling ahead a bit.

On Saturday, February 23rd, many of their theaters will be hosting the "Best Picture Showcase" where for $30, you can go see all five Oscar-nominated films, plus receive a free, refillable large popcorn.
Michael Clayton - 11:00 a.m.
There Will Be Blood - 1:20 p.m.
Atonement - 4:20 p.m.
Juno - 7:00 p.m.
No Country for Old Men - 9:00 p.m.

That's super intense. But if I hadn't already seen 4 of the 5, with the intention to see There Will Be Blood this weekend, I would probably take advantage. (5 films by me would cost $40 at student prices.)

Additionally, AMC theaters often feature A.M.Cinema, where shows before noon on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays occur at a discount ($5 at the one closest to me, though they can also be $4 or $6, depending on location).


Oh, and I have $19 in gift cards to AMC from campers a couple years ago.

The only downside is that I have 3 Regal Cinemas closer to me (2.1 miles, 7.5 miles, and 12.5 miles, respectively) than the AMC (which is 15 miles away, an estimated 31 minute drive). And I won't earn Crown Club points toward free sodas, popcorns, and movie tickets.

But if I can see There Will Be Blood on Saturday at 11:40am for $5, it might be totally worth it. I might even be able to catch the 3:45 Persepolis at the Enzian on my way home.

Days go by quite quickly when they are spent in movie theaters.

Indeed, I was out of the apartment from 1:30pm until 8:30pm. Part of that was drive time and there was an hour between when one ended and the other began, but still.

I did see The Darjeeling Limited, which I found enjoyable and engaging. I really like Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman is just awesome. I recommended it. The companion short film, Hotel Chevalier with Schwartzman and Natalie Portman, is available for free from iTunes (accessible through www.hotelchevalier.com). Director Wes Anderson recommends watching it before seeing The Darjeeling Limited.

I also saw Lust, Caution and the jury's still out. It was a very typical narrative, not overly dramatic nor a sweeping epic, really. It was long to be sure (2 hours, 37 minutes), and felt it at times. I was also disappointed in the ending, and I have yet to come up with a satisfactory explanation for that. That said, it was a captivating story with very interesting characters whose actions left me thinking. It was certainly well acted and well directed.


Also, I find it funny that I was carded buying a ticket for The Darjeeling Limited (apparently I look 16?), but not for Lust, Caution, which is rated NC-17. Then again...it's the Regal versus the Enzian.

Movies I Want to See (possibly this weekend, possibly extending into next week):
- The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford
- The Darjeeling Limited
- Rendition
- Michael Clayton
- Gone Baby Gone
- Into the Wild
- Lust, Caution
- Things We Lost in the Fire
- Across the Universe


All are playing near me. The first two are in Winter Park (25 minutes away) and Lust, Caution is at the Enzian (just beyond Winter Park...still 25 minutes away). The others are all just down the street at Waterford Lakes.


Sadly...that's about $67, at least. Because when I'm at Enzian...I feel bad not ordering something. So that's another $5-20, depending on if it's just a drink or food, too.

I just came back from seeing King of California, which I thought was RIDICULOUSLY good. Especially for a first-time writer/director. Michael Douglas was good, but Evan Rachel Wood was simply amazing.

I really, really enjoyed it and recommend it.

Again, I was recognized by a couple people working at the Enzian. It's nice, and I actually got offered free popcorn (they had made too much so there was extra), and totally should have taken it, but I don't really eat popcorn, so I turned it down. But I felt bad, because it was free and a really nice gesture. And in my delusions of grandeur, I wondered if they were talking about me in the kitchen.

But then, it makes me feel like a total loser, because I'm always there alone.

I like going to movies alone, I really do. But god...out of the last 17 films I've seen, I was alone 15 times. And that's just in the past couple months. I frequent movie theaters alone. I'm there alone more often then when I'm with someone.

I've only been to the Enzian once with other people...and that was last spring for the Florida Film Festival, when my group project dictated that we all be at the screening. It's a social type place...it's lonely when you're sitting by yourself at a table for two. At least at traditional theaters, you can get lost in the rows of seats.


But alas. I am coming down off the high from the movie (it really put me in an amazingly euphoric state of mind). So I should just go to sleep.


One last note...I think I'm going to dye my hair violently red tomorrow. I'm in need of a change.

First off, the staff at the Enzian is starting to recognize me. It's not necessarily a bad thing, the three people who mentioned it are nice people. However, it makes me embarrassed that I'm always there alone. Like..."oh, that girl is back. Alone, again."

In their defense, I've been there 6 times in 9 days. It's nice to have a pleasant rapport with people I see somewhat frequently. I just hate always being there on my own.

(The Enzian is an independent, nonprofit, café movie theater that shows foreign, independent and documentary films. It's set up with tables and a waitstaff, they serve food and drinks...the french dip is ridiculously good. It's awesome, I love it...but I'm always sitting at a table for two...all by myself.)


Second, Nathan Fillion was on "Ellen" today and he was so fabulous and charming and told an amazing story about how he acquired a cat and I adore him. SO glad he's joined the cast of "Desperate Housewives" and when I get a free 24 hours of my life, I need to watch "Firefly."


Third, I still enjoy "Kid Nation," as a partially guilty pleasure. It's just so good.

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This afternoon, my roommate Jane and I worked out (I know, right?) at the fitness room in the office. Basically, I walked on a treadmill for an hour. It was kind boring, but did feel good.

And tonight, Anna and I are probably seeing a movie. I'm a little nervous that she'll want to see something that a) is crappy or b) I've already seen...but I'm sure I'll agree with anything she wants.

EDIT: The movie fell through, and instead, I was dragged off to a bar. It was pretty crappy (very crowded, smelly, with a wet floor). And I wasn't drinking because I didn't have the cash, so I couldn't enjoy that part of it, and I never loosened up enough to dance. Overall, I really shouldn't have gone, but I felt bad making Anna go alone. It could have been worse, though, and once we got outside, things looked up. Except the guys she was meeting were kinda total jerks. Every once in a while they would say something that made me cringe and want to get the hell away from them before they got themselves into a fight. Eh, what's done is done.

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Finally, I just got off the phone after a 1 hour and 20 minute conversation with Candace, which was fabulous. I'm pretty sure that's about 7000 times longer than any other phone call I've had with Candace, so it was nice that it flowed so well.

AND! I now have a general plan to visit her in NYC over winter break!!! I'm SO SUPER excited! The Met! The MoMA! Broadway! And a free place to stay. I am SO there.