And the Oscar goes to....

Confession: I love award shows. Maybe this makes me a little shallow and a little too "of the world" or some other not great quality but I can't help it. 

I'm not completely sure what it is about them that I love but I do. It isn't that I am star struck or that I like seeing a bunch of rich people dress all fancy or hear them botch an acceptance speech (cough cough Jodie Foster at the globes cough cough). Maybe it is that I just like seeing the people and nominees I like win, I don't know. 

Although if I had to bet I would say it is just my competitive side coming out. I like picking the winner. I like being right (that would also probably be the shallow/slightly arrogant side coming out) and yelling that my pick got ripped off when they lose. It is almost like a sport to me. But all of this is just my rambling.

After seeing Silver Linings Playbook with my former roommate Caroline, we were discussing the Oscars and she suggested I write a blog about it. So I am.

I started writing this and it started getting really long so I've divided it up into a couple of posts. 

Disclaimer: I have not seen all the films and some of the categories I'm going to skip because, really, how am I supposed to pick a film editor. We will just say my default pick is Les Miserable because I'm a little obsessed with it. 

Best Picture
The Nominees: Amour, Argo, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Django Unchained, Les Miserables, Life of Pi, Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook, Zero Dark Thirty. 

My pick: Les Miserables

I think Les Miserables is the top choice because it is phenomenal. If you have not seen it stop reading and go now. But more than just my obvious bias, I picked Les Mis because it is held in such high regard in the theater world that it was a huge risk for all those involved in making it and they knew it would be held to the highest standard. It is not Mama Mia. It was bad and the world moved on. Some people, who must be tone deaf, loved it. Had Les Mis been poorly done, it would have been disastrous; all of the names of those involved would be mud! But what really pushed it over the top was that it was not simply good, it was incredible. A magnificent film adaptation of a legendary production.


Although Les Mis is my pick, it is not however a shoe in. I think this is probably the hardest category, as it should be. There are lots of nominees and, unlike other award shows, they are all lumped into one. Like I said, I haven't seen all of these but I think there are some other clear front runners: Amour, Beasts of the Southern Wild, and Lincoln. 

Amour and Beasts of the Southern Wild are definitely the wild cards. I have not seen either of these but I am always wary of films like these. To be really honest, I had not even heard of Amour until I saw it listed as a nominee. However, I think it is a front runner because the Academy likes foreign films in America. As for Beasts of the Southern Wild, I've seen trailers, previews, and interviews and heard reviews. The reviews are mostly outstanding but that's not why I picked it. It is artsy and different and the Academy likes that (i.e. The Artist last year) and it certainly helps that it has been well received. 

As for Lincoln, it is a great film, Daniel Day-Lewis is Abraham Lincoln, and Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones both do a good job. But, it just isn't over the top. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed it, I will probably buy it when it comes out, which is saying something in the era of Netflix and Red Box, but I probably won't be counting down the days until it comes out and be at Target that day to get it, like I will be with Les Mis. 

Zero Dark Thirty is a toss up for me. I have not seen it and do not intend to see it because of some of the controversies surrounding it (although the day Osama Bin Ladin was killed I jumped up and down and celebrated like a 4 year old in a bounce house at a birthday party). Personally, I do not think it should even be a front runner but reality is that it probably should be, primarily because of political and historical reasons rather than the quality of the film. 

After telling this to my friend Caroline, she reminded that The Hurt Locker was similar and won several years ago (2010). Which is true, but, as the song says, "the times they are a changing." I think that the major difference is that The Hurt Locker was made several years ago, earlier in the War on Terrorism. Although Zero Dark Thirty is a different, but similar, story, it is the same war and polls from the election showed that Americans are tired of it, no matter what the political opinions surrounding it are. However, unlike the election, the American people aren't voting, the Academy is, and therefore I'm ruling it a toss up (but am secretly rooting against it). 

Ben Affleck in Argo

For the rest, I have seen some and not seen some. I'm sure all have their merits but they just don't strike me as Oscar winners. I did see Silver Linings Playbook and Argo. I liked both, although Argo is more my style than Silver Linings, but I would be shocked if they win.

Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook

Best Actor
Nominees: Bradley Cooper, Daniel Day-Lewis, Hugh Jackman, Joaquin Phoenix, Denzel Washington. 

Who I think will win: Daniel Day-Lewis
Who I want to win: Hugh Jackman

Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln

Again, I'm a little biased. I loved Les Mis. But I have a case to make here. 

Both are incredible and deep down I wish they could share it. Like I said above, Daniel Day-Lewis is Abraham Lincoln. Everything you've ever heard about Lincoln Daniel Day-Lewis captures it. Every mannerism associated with Lincoln, he brings to life. The way he walks and talks and sits and grieves for our broken country,  is unreal. A similar performance would be Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in the Iron Lady. Both embody these historic figures. 

Hugh Jackman as Jean Val Jean In Les Miserables 

On the other hand, Hugh Jackman plays a legendary literary character. He pours incredible emotion into every word and every note he sings. He is my pick because I feel like his performance is critical to the overall success of the film by inspiring and enhancing the performance of the other actors and actresses. Whereas, I feel like Daniel Day-Lewis is the primary performer and the other actors and actresses, although good, don't quite live up to it. In the end I think Daniel Day-Lewis will walk away with it though because of the role he plays. When you see his performance, you compare him to Lincoln. When you see Hugh Jackman, you compare him to his past performances and other Jean Val Jean's you have seen. 

That's all for now. Feel free to comment. Check back later for more picks and be sure to watch the Academy Awards on February 24th at 7 pm est on ABC!!

NYC

After my parents helped move me out of my apartment we flew to New York City for a few days to see all of the Christmas festivities. I must say there is nothing quite like New York at Christmas time.  The lights, the windows, the decorations, the shopping, the shows- Christmas time is definitely the best time to visit.

Mom and I at Rockefeller Plaza. Dad was taking the picture. 

One of our favorite things to see every year is the decorated windows at stores like Macy's and Lord and Taylor. Even in years when we can't go to NYC we enjoy watching the HGTV special on how they design and put together the windows. 

Macy's Window 

Macy's Window

Macy's Window

Macy's Window

Although the weather wasn't great, not to mention I was a little under the weather, we still had a great time. We usually stay at a nice little Hampton Inn that is about two blocks from Times Square. It is nothing fancy but it is really convenient, affordable, and you always know what you are getting with a Hampton Inn.

The first day we were there I was trying to recuperate in the room and get my feet back under me while the rest of the family went shopping. That night we were able to get tickets to Radio City's Christmas Spectacular and see the Rockettes. Every year Radio City does a great job with it and it is a lot of fun.

The next day we did a little more shopping. We visited the shops at Central Park and dad and I got one of our favorite treats, a real Belgian Waffle. This is probably what my dad I look forward to the most when we go to NYC. They are delicious. 

Belgian Waffle

After that we went to FAO Schwartz. I am just a big kid when it comes to toy stores and I love FAO. Although I was a little disappointed that they didn't have their giant key board performers any more but I did love the giant lego people. 

StarWars LEGOs

FAO Guard made out of LEGOs

After some more shopping we went to see Annie on broadway. Annie has been one of my favorite musicals for my entire life and our Annie VHS tape was well used back in the day. It was excellent... duh it's Broadway!

Time's Square

All in all it was a great trip. The next day mom, dad, and I took the train from NYC to DC, picked our car up and made the 8ish hour drive home. And boy was it good to be home!

For those of you have never taken the Amtrak before, I would recommend considering it on your next trip. It is not always quicker or cheaper but sometimes it is and, unlike a plane, it has outlets to plug in your computer or phone and free wifi! Not to mention you can get up and walk around some if you feel like it. It was a fun little adventure for us!

Last day in DC

Well it has certainly been awhile. I have moved home from DC back to SC and am currently looking for a job. However, I have a few more DC posts that I never finished so I think I will finish them as well as posting any new adventures. 

My mom and dad came to DC to move me out of my apartment a little over a week before Christmas. That Saturday, after we packed everything up, we had a few last DC adventures. 

One that we really enjoyed was the National Botanic Garden's Christmas decorations. They have models of each of the National Mall monuments made out of natural materials such as tree bark and leaves. It is absolutely incredible that they were able to do all of that. 

US Capitol Building

Check out the details! It even had windows!

Even has Lady Freedom on top.

Just to give you an idea of how large this replica is. It was massive. 

Supreme Court Building with the Capitol in the background.

Library of Congress

US Botanic Garden

Washington Monument

Lincoln Memorial 

Lincoln Memorial with Washington Monument in the background. Although I was slightly disappointed that Lincoln is backwards, but I do understand they were trying to make it easier for people to see. 

Thomas Jefferson Memorial. I like how they left the stem of the gourd.

The Smithsonian Castle

The White House

They also had an extensive model train exhibit. All of the buildings and creatures were also made out of natural materials. 

I wish I had gotten a better picture of the dragon on top of the pagoda, its wings were made out of giant maple leaves. 

The train zipping past. 

Then we ran through (quite literally I am afraid) the National Gallery of Art. I was able to show mom and dad the highlights and things I thought they would like. 

Fountain with Christmas decorations at the National Gallery of Art

After that we grabbed a quick lunch in the cafe in Sculpture Garden and watched the ice skaters as we quickly ate are lunch. (BTW it was quite tasty and not a bad place to stop and grab a quick bite if you are on the Mall for the day!)

Ice Skating rink in the Sculpture Garden in front of the National Archives.

Then we headed for the Museum of American History and saw some of its highlights like Abraham Lincoln's hat and suit in their new Emancipation Proclamation exhibit, the First Ladies Dresses, Julia Childs Kitchen, Kermit the Frog, and Abraham Lincoln's Rifle. 

Julia Child's Kitchen

Me inside Julia Child's Kitchen

Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat

Abraham Lincoln's Suit

Abraham Lincoln's Rifle

After all this fun we met some friends of our who just happened to be passing through DC for dinner in Arlington at one of our favorite places, the Cheesecake Factory! 

Another busy day in the capitol but I thought it was a good way to say good bye! DC will always be one of my favorite places to visit. 

In closing, I wanted to share my last visit to the Rotunda for a while. I went by for one last visit as I left work that Friday. I had the place to myself for about 5 minutes. Maybe I teared up. I started to lie down in the floor and just look at it for a while but I thought that would be awkward if someone came through. I will really miss seeing this. 

My last visit to the Rotunda

Christmas in DC

US Capitol Christmas Tree

Christmas is almost here! As I am writing this, Christmas is about two weeks away. One thing I love about big cities is that there are always lots of Christmas festivities. So far I have had two great Christmas weekends here in DC and plan on having another in NYC next week. 

Two weekends ago I was lucky enough to have my mom (you can see her blog here) in town and we had a great weekend together. 

Saturday we went to Middleburg, Virginia for their "Hunt" and Christmas parade. Middleburg is a nice little town about an hour outside of DC. We met my friend Samantha there and together we decided that Middleburg is very much a real life Stars Hollow (from Gilmore Girls). It is a small town of great people, shops, food, and traditions. 

The Middleburg Hunt

The Hunt is one of their great traditions.  It takes place in the morning and pays tribute to the rich fox hunting history in the area.  First the lead horses and the hounds come through followed by others on their horses in their full fox hunting regalia. 

We also got a special Christmas treat, we got to tour the White House and see all of the Christmas decorations!! 

This was really unexpected. Typically you have to schedule a tour of the White House through your senator or congressman's office at least a month in advance and even then there is no guarantee that you will get it because of the White House's rigorous schedule. But lucky for us, my office received an email about last minute tour openings the week before my mom came! We applied and were accepted!

 My mom was especially excited about this because she watches the White House Christmas Special on HGTV every year and this year she got to see it all for herself! The White House Gingerbread House is always one of our favorite parts of the show. 

White House Gingerbread House

This is the best photo of us but our confirmation email said that we could not bring cameras or bags on the tour. Being the rule followers we are, we didn't bring a camera other than the ones on our phones. As it turns out it was some type of special tour day and you could bring cameras. Luckily we were able to get some photos on our phones. They may not be the best quality but at least we have them!

This past weekend was my second Christmas weekend. Timing has definitely been on my side lately (knock on wood) and one of my best friends since middle school was in Maryland with her work and came to visit me for the weekend. We had a great time catching up and got to do some DC Christmas activities along with my friend Samantha. 

It was quite a marathon of a day but it was totally worth it. After visiting a museum and doing some exploring we went ice skating at the National Gallery of Art on the National Mall. I don't know how many times in life I will get to go ice skating in front of the National Archives which holds some of the greatest documents of our country so I had to take advantage while the weather was warm. 

 We also went to see Zoolights at the National Zoo! Although I think we were the only ones there over the age of 20 without kids we still had a great time! 

 Finally we wrapped up the evening with a trip to the White House to see the National Christmas tree! 

Although both weekends were packed full and a little tiring, they were both a great way to wind down my time here in DC. 

But no worries, I leave Saturday but still have several DC blog posts that I have not been able to post yet that I will post after I return to SC. 

Oh and one more thing...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

I gave my mom a very special gift this year that you can give too! My mom is a former teacher (still one at heart) and education is very close to her heart so this year, in her honor, I gave the gift of education to girls in Pakistan and you can too by clicking here! Every dollar counts and every dollar helps! To learn more, visit my friend Caroline's blog here. She is working in Pakistan and doing some pretty incredible things there. Now, go do something awesome!!