A Favorite

Earlier this year I read a book by Diane Keaton called Then Again. I know Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone are "it" these days, but Diane Keaton is one of my favorite actresses. She marches to the beat of her own offbeat drum, but she doesn't bang the thing right in your face. In her book she shares stories about growing up in sunny Southern California (hard life) and becoming an actress, but mostly she discusses her relationship with her mother. She even includes pieces from her mother's own memoirs and intersperses them throughout the book, drawing parallels between their lives and experiences. I thought it was a very sweet tribute to her mother and an interesting way of telling her own stories.

Reading Keaton's first book, I was pleased to discover she really is neurotic... The woman wears a lot of hats and gloves, guys. Neurotic, insecure, but still somehow extremely self-assured. And even though she's that actress who always seems to play some version of herself in her movies (since I know her, of course), she's so likable you don't mind. Most of her roles (the best ones, anyway) are variations of the same high-strung but well-meaning heroine who inevitably has some sort of hysterical meltdown. She's good at meltdowns. 

I recently started reading her second book - Let's Just Say It Wasn't Pretty, her memoir about working in the cliche beauty-and-youth-and-beauty obsessed world of Hollywood. Not something I can relate to on that scale, but it's still stuff I worry about. What I admire is that despite holding onto life-long insecurities about her looks and being encouraged to get some things "fixed" - droopy eyes, bulbous nose, flimsy hair - Keaton hasn't had a single nip, tuck, or injection. If all that's true, it's pretty commendable. 

In this second book, there's an entire chapter about hair-envy and how much she's battled against her own uncooperative strands. HATS, remember? In another chapter she talks about the irony of inheriting the shape of her eyes from her father, someone with whom she hardly ever saw things eye to eye. Then there are the chapters describing her general awkwardness, anxieties, and pursuit of authenticity. All of this SPEAKS TO ME. 

Other chapters discuss the pursuit of beauty. One chapter describes a wall in her home that consists of almost 50 photographs of different men - all famous actors, artists, musicians, models, political figures, etc. Her "detainees." Some she's met or worked with, others she's admired from a distance. The most prominent photo of the bunch is a famous portrait taken of Abraham Lincoln, one she describes as "beautiful." As an unabashed fanatic who has dedicated an entire Pinterest board to the same creepy pastime of collecting famous (and beautiful) men's faces, this speaks to me also. She asserts, "Other women collect men too; they must." This woman does. 

I suppose I'm not really recommending these books. If you like Diane Keaton and you're familiar with her movies then you'd probably enjoy them. What fascinates (and reassures) me is how universal female insecurity is. On one hand, Keaton's book makes her seem somewhat narcissistic, but in each chapter she refocuses every self-conscious observation with this reminder: our existence doesn't have to revolve around what we hate about ourselves. Or around what we envy in others. It's not the beauty of the eyes, but the beauty of what they see. It's not about the inescapable embarrassment of the moment, but the ability to laugh at yourself later. It's not about trying to stop time from mapping its course across your face, but realizing that even after all the "fixes," there's still no stopping it. Cliches, yes, but cliches are usually just things that are true.

So yeah. She seems an unlikely favorite, but she is. I'll wrap it up her best movie meltdown... At 0:52 especially.

"He is a Devil, that Mr. Darcy"

When seeing a movie for the first time and inviting your cousin to accompany you (though she's already seen it), it's a good sign when she replies YAAAAAYYY!! It's also a good sign when others have posted online about how much they loved it. And if that isn't enough, there's always the fact you already enjoy the book the movie is based on.

I saw Austenland over the weekend and I have to say it was a lot better than I expected. Critics didn't go for it - psh! - but it was never really a critics' movie. We all know there is a very specific audience of Darcy-lovin' types this story appeals to... 

If you yourself don't number among this demographic of Darcy-lovers, chances are you are well acquainted with someone who does. Never fear! This movie has something for you too. Because in romanticizing and trying to emulate the Regency era and Austen's novels in a 21st century world (the gowns! the balls! the gentlemen!), it actually exposes how ridiculous it all is (the corsets! the needlepoint! the gentlemen!). How you really can't take a modern girl and fully "immerse" her in the time period without there being some entertaining consequences. We don't watch this movie so we can laugh at the lovelorn heroine and her foibles in a mock-Regency setting. We watch so we can laugh at ourselves because we identify with her and the fantasy, bless our hearts.

If you've read the book, you already know it isn't great literature. But if you thought the book was fun, the movie is even more so. It's silly, hilarious, and even adorable at times. Definitely more over-the-top than the book, but not necessarily in a bad way like I originally feared it would be. And it's set to a really fun soundtrack of 80s and 90s pop tunes - Betty Davis Eyes, It Must Have Been Love, Lady In Red, Heaven Is A Place On Earth, etc. Which shouldn't work, but it DOES. 

I also loved the cast. Jennifer Coolidge? Are you kidding me?? HILARIOUS. And Keri Russell was perfect as Jane. SPOILER: When I read the book, there were times I was torn between Nobley and Martin. And the same thing happened with the movie - JJ Field and Bret McKenzie were wonderful. But by the end I thought, Okay, so if Mr. Henry Nobley cures Jane of her Darcy-as-played-by-Colin-Firth fixation, who is supposed to cure us of our Nobley-as-played-by-JJ-Field fixation?? No one, I guess. END OF SPOILER. 

This image pulled from this blog...

So if you have ever found yourself swooning over a man in riding boots and a cravat or sighed at the thought of a Regency courtship, congratulations! This movie is for you. If you're married/related to someone who fits the above profile, congratulations! This movie is for you too. You will all giggle yourselves silly. 

Oh, and be sure to stay for the credits.

Lauren's Grade: A- ...minus because all the servants seemed to be smeared in self-tanner. 

What's been goin' on?

Lately...

I enjoyed a nice road trip with the family for my mom’s birthday. That’s all I’ll say for now because I'm still sorting through pictures. Then you will be visually and verbally treated to the many adventures of the Waters family. Aren't you lucky??

I have back to school burnout. I’m feeling slightly tired and overwhelmed and like I want my free evenings back so I can go to Zumba. But I’ll live.

I endured the overblown sleaze-fest of the VMA’s to watch ‘NSYNC reunite onstage… for about 23 seconds. If you’re going to all that trouble of reuniting the band then at least have them perform an entire song! Also, I don’t think I’ll be taking fashion advice from anyone in the music industry any time soon. Gross.

Speaking of the VMA’s, I’m really sick of hearing about Miley Cyrus. The last thing this girl needs is more publicity. From this day forward, this blog will be a Miley-free zone! …As it was before I wrote this entry.

Right now I’m reading the second Austenland book, Midnight in Austenland. I’m enjoying it more than the first, which isn’t too shabby since I really liked the first book. Now to see the movie!

I purchased my first ever Macbook and am almost too scared to use it. It's a very sophisticated piece of equipment and I'm all thumbs. Help.

The God Who Weeps

Right now I'm reading a book called The God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life by Terry L. Givens and Fiona Givens. It's been enlightening thus far, though the philosophizing goes a bit over my head at times. It approaches Mormon belief from spiritual and intellectual viewpoints, illustrating how our mortal existence points to a higher power that is lovingly invested in our lives. Within the first couple chapters I've already found myself nodding in agreement at a number of passages. Here is one I read today...

Though we may be in the infancy of moral development, as individuals and as a species, surely we are striving toward a perfect model that God already embodies. And while personal and collective progress may be shaky and uneven, some moral imperatives have only grown more sharply defined across time: we reject inhumanity, cruelty, caprice, and callousness. We prize kindness, we value tenderness, and we esteem compassion. Who can doubt that the most transcendent instance of human love is a testament to a more perfect source, a love without limit? We are continuing, with tragic and devastating exceptions, on the trajectory inaugurated by Adam and Eve, becoming ever more like God, as we become ever more adept at discerning good and evil, and nourishing the wellsprings of human love. And in so doing, we grow more capable of discerning a kind and merciful God among His many counterfeits.

Lately Lauren...

So... January is over! (Yeah... try last weekend.) That's 31+ days down and about 330 to go. Studies (I don't know which ones) show it takes about 20 days of doing an activity before it becomes a habit. After almost 40 days I have some new habits and some almost habits under my belt. Still working toward a few others, but don't worry - they're all good habits. Except for the one where I start off my blog posts by tooting my own horn - "Guys, I am sooooooo good at making good habits. Good habit-making should be its own good habit habit!" I will now cease tooting and get down to business...

Lately Lauren Likes...

...Carpooling to work with 2 other people. That means less money spent on gas and eating out for lunch (I can't just hop in my car whenever I want now...), not to mention less car exhaust being spewed into the air. Not that it's helped much. 

...Wallander. Kenneth Branaugh plays gloomy Swedish detective Kurt Wallander. Tom Hiddleston also stars, playing Wallander's young colleague Magnus Martinsson. Which brings me to my next item... 

...Tom Hiddleston. Oh, he's been here before...

...Things we love about Tom: just about everything. I realize his many admirable characteristics are probably only part of a well-crafted public image - he is an actor after all - but I've officially bought into the fantasy. And sometimes the fantasy will just have to do!  

...Finally chatting with the BFF who currently resides in another state. 

...The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. GAH! I'm still a little tender... It was a wonderful read and it broke my heart, but in a good way. I even added a couple more literary characters from its pages to my list of all-time favorites. 

...Warm Bodies... Aside from the blood, gore, and consumption of brain matter, this movie was so stinkin' sweet. Sweet as in "awwwwww." And not just for a Zombie movie. Or a zom-rom-com. I loved it. 

...Hires Big H... Haven't eaten here since my days at the U. After my first bite, I couldn't think of a good reason why. 

...Spinal Tap... With commentary. 

...Watching re-runs of Sabrina the Teenage Witch on Hulu. My new favorite time-wasting activity while nursing a post-split hamstring injury. I'm still limping a little, BTW. 

...Losing 13 lbs. since the Holidays. TOOT TOOT! There I go again. TOOT TOOT! 

...This new song and dance for my Zumba class. Though we're not quite as intense as the guy in the video. Because YIKES. 

...This book my Grandma bought me for my birthday...

Every month for the last year we've met up with my Dad's side of the family to celebrate birthdays for that particular month. Our Grandma gets each family member a gag gift - usually something related to the individual's interests. We did December and January a few weeks ago and when my Grandma presented my gift she said, "Lauren can't wait to go back to London someday so I got her something she can read for her next visit." Knickers In A Twist: A Dictionary of British Slang. The book is bawdy and hilarious. I will definitely share some of its more amusing (and appropriate) slang terms. Things like...

Hacked off : Annoyed... As in "I was really hacked off at my sister." 

I haven't read the whole thing yet, but I will say this - the British are strange. And a little bit perverted... (snickers)

Lately Lauren Loathes...

I've decided not to do a Loathe List this time around because my last couple entries have been pretty whiny - I don't complain ALL the time, I promise. So as for those things I've been "hacked off" at lately (see what I did there?), we'll save them for another day!

Just A Thought

As toilsome I wander'd Virginia's woods

As toilsome I wander'd Virginia's woods, 

To the music of rustling leaves kick'd by my feet, (for 'twas autumn,) I mark'd at the foot of a tree the grave of a soldier; 

Mortally wounded he and buried on the retreat, (easily all I could understand,) 

The halt of a midday hour, when up! no time to lose--yet this sign left, 

On a tablet scrawl'd and nail'd on the tree by the grave, 

Bold, cautious, true, and my loving comrade. 

Long, long I muse, then on my way go wandering, 

Many a changeful season to follow, and many a scene of life, 

Yet at times through changeful season and scene, abrupt, alone, or in the crowded street, 

Comes before me the unknown soldier's grave, come the inscription rude in Virginia's woods. 

Bold, cautious, true, and my loving comrade.

-Walt Whitman-

I Have Felt

Scotland. Somewhere between Loch Ness and Sterling.

That which we dare invoke to bless;

         Our dearest faith; our ghastliest doubt;

         He, They, One, All; within, without;

The Power in darkness whom we guess;

I found Him not in world or sun,

         Or eagle's wing, or insect's eye;

         Nor thro' the questions men may try,

The petty cobwebs we have spun:

If e'er when faith had fall'n asleep,

         I heard a voice, "Believe no more,"

         And heard an ever-breaking shore

That tumbled in the Godless deep,

A warmth within the breast would melt

         The freezing reason's colder part,

         And like a man in wrath the heart

Stood up and answer'd, "I have felt."

No, like a child in doubt and fear:

         But that blind clamour made me wise;

         Then was I as a child that cries,

But crying, knows his father near;

And what I am beheld again

         What is, and no man understands;

         And out of darkness came the hands

That reach thro' nature, moulding men.

~Alfred Lord Tennyson, 1809-1892

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover...Especially THIS One!

I'm not speaking metaphorically. So those of you who think this entry is in reference to how my physical attractiveness conflicts with the "beauty within," well... you would be mistaken. But read on...

I've noticed something rather disturbing during my latest visits to the library and book store. I was recently perusing the young adult fiction section at the Sweet Branch Library in the Avenues when I came across a book cover that was very reminiscent of Stephanie Meyer's Twilight saga. At first I thought, "Oh no, not another one" and I stepped forward to get a closer look. The book cover was in the iconic black, white, and red of Ms. Meyer's series - a red rose against a black background with white type in a "Twilight" font. However, upon closer inspection I realized the title did not read Breaking Dawn or New Moon or Winter Equinox or Solar Flare... No, this title read Wuthering Heights. ACK! What's more, there was a label that read "Edward and Bella's Favorite Book." And apparently this is not an isolated incident. I found Romeo & Juliet, Pride & Prejudice, AND (my personal favorite) Jane Eyre, all adorned with the same unfortunate book covers. 

Now, admittedly I was on the Twilight bandwagon when the books were still fairly new. I read the first book in 24 hours, I believe. The story did pull me in and I thought it was very inventive and interesting... Aaaaand I fell for Edward. Then when I read the 2nd and 3rd books (which I cannot really differentiate as far as plot and character development) I became disenchanted. Bella was still whining and pining, Edward was still moody and broody, and Jacob was always running some kind of fever. Oh, and don't forget the random cast of vampires that were always out for Bella's blood. Oh, Bella Swan. She is my very least favorite heroine written in the entire world of literature. Ever.  Shouldn't every irritating literary character (especially if they're the protagonist) possess some redeeming qualities? Or even a personality? Why are all these mythological man-beasts pursuing this Bella Swan? My only understanding of her character is (a) that her happiness is totally dependent on some boy and that she is (b) willing to give up her soul to *cough* progress her relationship with this boy, forsaking all else for an eternity of blood-sucking bliss. Yuck. And Jacob? He's just a hot (literally) and hunky distraction to fill the void whenever Edward's glittery and cold marble abs aren't there to keep Miss Bella company. 

Still, I really enjoyed the first book... As a story, there was wonderful potential. It was just that the books that followed were more of the same thing over and over again. I picked up the 4th book and skimmed the first few chapters, but beyond that, I did not devote any time to its pages. I figure I'll just see the movie since movie Bella bugs me much less than book Bella.

So... 

Why market these Classics as an extension of Twilight? On one hand it's rather a clever way to get these teens (and, let's be honest, their mothers) to read actual literature - romantic, complex, profound, and beautifully written literature. On the other hand, it's kinda a sad commentary on the state of literacy when Twilight is the standard we must follow, tricking readers into picking up a book because of its cover and slyly offering reassurance that the book they hold in their hand is "Bella and Edward's favorite." Instead of "As Seen on TV!" it's "As Read in Twilight!" So read on, Twi-Hards, and impart of the worlds of Shakespeare, the Bronte Sisters, and Jane Austen, but please note, they were writing (and doing it well) long before these tacky book covers ever adorned their timeless stories.

*     *     *

Oh, let's face it. I'm just bitter that the owner of THIS beautiful face wasn't cast as Edward Cullen in the movies...

Sigh...