Last week Jana shared this Bad Day Recovery Plan post, and it made me think about how my own recovery plan simply involves turning to music when I'm feeling angry or sad. (Or, if I'm being totally honest, I turn to music regardless of how I'm feeling because I fucking love music. But, if you've been reading my blog for a while, you probably already know that.)
Anyway, her post inspired me to finally share some of my favorite angry songs. This has been on my list of blog post ideas for a while, and I've just never gotten around to it.
I'm using YouTube videos instead of a more traditional playlist because a couple of these songs weren't available on Spotify. And, just to change things up a bit, I'm breaking this list up into categories.
When you need to vent about a shitty friend:
"Keep It On Wax" by Alexisonfire
"I guess the only thing cheap to you is your friends/Oh, what a fucking shame that you had to mess things up this bad/Times change and people change with them/Some people love to play the victim"
"Pot Kettle Black" by Tilly and the Wall
"I bet you think we didn't know, didn't even see the tides change/But it's a small, small world, girl, getting even smaller every day"
"Butcher's Mouth" by Emery
"But it ends me when I can tell that I've become the person I can't take, that I hate/A person so much like you"
When love sucks:
"Limp" by Fiona Apple
"You fondle my trigger then you blame my gun/And when I think of it, my fingers turn to fists/I never did anything to you, man/But no matter what I try, you'll beat me with your bitter lies/So call me crazy, hold me down, make me cry, get off now, baby/It won't be long 'til you'll be lying limp in your own hands"
"Welcome Home" by Coheed and Cambria
"You could have been all I wanted/But you weren't honest, now get in the ground/You choked off the surest of favors/But if you really loved me, you would've endured my world/But if you're just as I presumed/You're a whore in sheep's clothing, fucking up all I do"
"Lust A Prima Vista" by The Spill Canvas
"In one fell swoop it became clear to me that I despise you entirely/But the good news is I'm gonna keep you around/And so your lust is just convenient now"
*Side note: I'll be seeing these guys live this weekend!
When you hate pretty much everyone:
Ænima" by Tool
"Some say the end is near/Some say we'll see Armageddon soon/I certainly hope we will/I sure could use a vacation from this bullshit three ring circus sideshow"
"March Of The Pigs" by Nine Inch Nails
"Shove it up inside/Surprise! Lies/Stains like the blood on your teeth/Bite, chew, suck away the tender parts/I want to break it up/I want to smash it up/I want to fuck it up/I want to watch it come down"
"King Kill 33°" by Marilyn Manson
"The world that hates me has taken its toll, but now I have finally taken control/You wanted so bad to make me this thing/And I want you now to just kill the King/And I am not sorry, and I am not sorry/This is what you deserve"
When you're sick of what's being portrayed in the media (and what's going on in the world in general):
"Testify" by Rage Against the Machine
"The movie run through me/The glamour subdue me/The tabloid untie me/I'm empty, please fill me/Mister Anchor, assure me that Baghdad is burning/Your voice it is so soothing/That cunning mantra of killing/I need you, my witness, to dress this up so bloodless/To numb me and purge me now of thoughts of blaming you"
"Road To Joy" by Bright Eyes
"So when you're asked to fight a war that's over nothing/It's best to join the side that's gonna win/And no one's sure how all of this got started/But we're gonna make 'em goddamn certain how it's gonna end"
"Doomsday Clock" by Smashing Pumpkins
"Apocalyptic means are lost amongst our dead/A message to our friends to get out/There's wages on this fear/Oh, so clear/Depends on what you'll pay to hear"
When you really just want to say "fuck you":
"A Punchup At A Wedding (No No No No No No No No.)" by Radiohead
"Hypocrite, opportunist/Don't infect me with your poison/A bully in a china shop/When I turn around, you stay frozen to the spot/The pointless snide remarks of hammerheaded sharks/The pot will call the kettle black"
"Judith" by A Perfect Circle
"You're such an inspiration for the ways that I will never ever choose to be/Oh, so many ways for me to show you how your savior has abandoned you"
"Precious Things" by Tori Amos
"He said you're really an ugly girl, but I like the way you play/And I died/But I thanked him/Can you believe that?/Sick, sick/Holding on to his picture, dressing up every day/I want to smash the faces of those beautiful boys, those Christian boys/So you can make me cum, that doesn't make you Jesus"
*Side note: That last line is one of my all-time favorite lyrics. So good (and so true).
When you have no one to blame but yourself:
"Room A Thousand Years Wide" by Soundgarden
"Listen, hear he is inside/One who lives while others lie/I close my eyes and walk a thousand years, a thousand years that aren't mine/It seems he's near me as I walk/One who loved what love denied/He lives these years that I walk blind/All these years cannot be mine"
"Some Red-Handed Sleight Of Hand" by Cursive
"So why do I think I'm any different?/I've been making money off my indifference/We all pass the hat around/This is my body, this is the blood I found on my hands after I wrote this album"
"Needle In The Hay" by Elliott Smith
"I can't beat myself, and I don't want to talk/I'm taking the cure so I can be quiet wherever I want/So leave me alone/You ought to be proud that I'm getting good marks"
It was actually a lot more difficult than I thought it would be to break these up into categories. Some of these song lyrics are pretty straightforward, but some are definitely a little more subjective.
I also left off several of my favorites, so there may be an "Angry Songs Volume 2" playlist posted one of these days.
Oh, and I was totally rocking out to all of these songs while I was writing this post. (I'm sure you'd expect nothing less.)
Life, love, food, and all the things in-between
Showing posts with label favorites. Show all posts
Showing posts with label favorites. Show all posts
Friday, April 15, 2016
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Tasty Tuesday: The Top 15 Divulge and Indulge Favorites From 2015
I should probably start this post by clarifying that these are my personal favorite recipes. And, to be perfectly honest, it was difficult to narrow it down to just fifteen. (I have no idea how I managed to make a very simple "Top Five" recipe list last year!)
I made things a little easier on myself by only including recipes I tried for the first time in 2015. Although I'd love to put something like Arni Giouvetsi or Tortellini Soup on the list, these are things I've been making for a long time ... So I felt they didn't accurately represent the "Best of 2015."
I also tried to only include recipes that I've made over and over (or that I plan to make over and over in the future!). For me, these were the true winners of 2015.
1. Sausage, Onion, Pepper, and Tomato Frittata
This, along with potatoes and mimosas, has become our "official" New Year's Day brunch meal. It may not be the healthiest way to start the new year, but it's worth every calorie.
2. One Pot Turkey Kielbasa Dirty Rice
I love one pot meals (trust me, there will be several of these on this list!), and this is no exception. Slightly spicy, slightly smoky, slightly healthy, and very easy, this is one of my favorite quick weeknight dinners.
3. Zesty One Pot Lemon Chicken Pasta with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Artichokes
This recipe really surprised me. I honestly didn't have very high hopes for it, but it wound up becoming one of my favorite new pasta dishes.
4. Grilled Steaks with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce and Red Garlic Mashed Potatoes
This is a completely decadent meal that's perfect for a special occasion. I'd love to have it all the time, but I'd probably gain about 500 pounds.
5. Chorizo Potato Enchiladas with Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce
I'm proud to say that this something I came up with on my own. I used a sauce I already knew how to make, but I didn't use a recipe for the overall meal. The result was even better than I initially hoped!
6. Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes
This is the only side dish to make this list. I was so excited when I first made these because they were almost identical to the potatoes Eric and I get at our favorite Greek restaurant (and man, do I love those potatoes!).
7. One Pot Tortellini with Italian Sausage in a Tomato Cream Sauce
Sometimes the simplest ingredients can combine to make the best meals, and this is a perfect example. Cheesy, creamy, and super easy, this was, without question, one of my favorite one pot dinners in 2015.
8. Tex-Mex Mini Meatloaves
I combined two recipes to make these mini meatloaves, and the result was fantastic. They're spicy and smoky and will melt in your mouth. What else could you possibly ask for?
9. Crockpot BBQ Chicken Chili Mac
This meal quickly became a favorite in our house. It's a crockpot meal, so it's obviously pretty simple, and the combination of Tex-Mex and BBQ flavors is awesome.
10. Chicken Veggie Avocado Rice Bowl
This is another meal I created without the help of a recipe. It's probably one of the simplest recipes I've ever posted, but it has become a staple in our house. There's no way I was leaving it off this list!
11. Caesar Crusted Salmon
We try to have salmon fairly often, and this is by far our favorite way to make it. If you don't typically cook fish at home but think you might want to try it, don't feel intimidated ... This recipe is super simple!
12. One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice
I thought I'd probably enjoy this meal, but I had no idea I'd love it. This has become one of my favorite ways to prepare chicken and rice!
13. Steak Penne with Caramelized Onions
This is one of the most unique meals I made all year, and it was amazing. It took a bit of time and effort, but it was totally worth it.
14. Red Curry Lentils with Coconut Jasmine Rice
Eric and I are both huge fans of curry, and this recipe was a big hit. I'd never cooked with lentils before, so this took me a little out of my comfort zone. I'm so glad I tried it, though ... It's delicious and definitely one of the best vegetarian meals I've ever made!
15. Crockpot Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
This is another indulgent recipe that I can't make all the time (I wish!). If you're willing to splurge on some extra calories, though, you should definitely give this dish a try.
I tried a lot of really amazing recipes in 2015, and I'm looking forward to trying many more this year!
I made things a little easier on myself by only including recipes I tried for the first time in 2015. Although I'd love to put something like Arni Giouvetsi or Tortellini Soup on the list, these are things I've been making for a long time ... So I felt they didn't accurately represent the "Best of 2015."
I also tried to only include recipes that I've made over and over (or that I plan to make over and over in the future!). For me, these were the true winners of 2015.
1. Sausage, Onion, Pepper, and Tomato Frittata
This, along with potatoes and mimosas, has become our "official" New Year's Day brunch meal. It may not be the healthiest way to start the new year, but it's worth every calorie.
2. One Pot Turkey Kielbasa Dirty Rice
I love one pot meals (trust me, there will be several of these on this list!), and this is no exception. Slightly spicy, slightly smoky, slightly healthy, and very easy, this is one of my favorite quick weeknight dinners.
3. Zesty One Pot Lemon Chicken Pasta with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Artichokes
This recipe really surprised me. I honestly didn't have very high hopes for it, but it wound up becoming one of my favorite new pasta dishes.
4. Grilled Steaks with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce and Red Garlic Mashed Potatoes
This is a completely decadent meal that's perfect for a special occasion. I'd love to have it all the time, but I'd probably gain about 500 pounds.
5. Chorizo Potato Enchiladas with Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce
I'm proud to say that this something I came up with on my own. I used a sauce I already knew how to make, but I didn't use a recipe for the overall meal. The result was even better than I initially hoped!
6. Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes
This is the only side dish to make this list. I was so excited when I first made these because they were almost identical to the potatoes Eric and I get at our favorite Greek restaurant (and man, do I love those potatoes!).
7. One Pot Tortellini with Italian Sausage in a Tomato Cream Sauce
Sometimes the simplest ingredients can combine to make the best meals, and this is a perfect example. Cheesy, creamy, and super easy, this was, without question, one of my favorite one pot dinners in 2015.
8. Tex-Mex Mini Meatloaves
I combined two recipes to make these mini meatloaves, and the result was fantastic. They're spicy and smoky and will melt in your mouth. What else could you possibly ask for?
9. Crockpot BBQ Chicken Chili Mac
This meal quickly became a favorite in our house. It's a crockpot meal, so it's obviously pretty simple, and the combination of Tex-Mex and BBQ flavors is awesome.
10. Chicken Veggie Avocado Rice Bowl
This is another meal I created without the help of a recipe. It's probably one of the simplest recipes I've ever posted, but it has become a staple in our house. There's no way I was leaving it off this list!
11. Caesar Crusted Salmon
We try to have salmon fairly often, and this is by far our favorite way to make it. If you don't typically cook fish at home but think you might want to try it, don't feel intimidated ... This recipe is super simple!
12. One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice
I thought I'd probably enjoy this meal, but I had no idea I'd love it. This has become one of my favorite ways to prepare chicken and rice!
13. Steak Penne with Caramelized Onions
This is one of the most unique meals I made all year, and it was amazing. It took a bit of time and effort, but it was totally worth it.
14. Red Curry Lentils with Coconut Jasmine Rice
Eric and I are both huge fans of curry, and this recipe was a big hit. I'd never cooked with lentils before, so this took me a little out of my comfort zone. I'm so glad I tried it, though ... It's delicious and definitely one of the best vegetarian meals I've ever made!
15. Crockpot Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
This is another indulgent recipe that I can't make all the time (I wish!). If you're willing to splurge on some extra calories, though, you should definitely give this dish a try.
I tried a lot of really amazing recipes in 2015, and I'm looking forward to trying many more this year!
Monday, January 4, 2016
My Favorite Books of 2015 (a.k.a. The Year I Finally Hit My 50 Book Goal!)
I wanted to link up the day this bonus edition of Show Us Your Books! with Steph and Jana went live, but, as some of you know by now, getting stuck in Chicago for two days derailed any plans I had for writing blog posts (or doing anything productive, really).
When it comes to reading, 2015 was a huge year for me. I'd been saying I would read 50 books in a year for at least 10 years, but I never managed to hit my goal. But last year? 59 books! I still can't believe I not only met my goal, but exceeded it. (It even inspired me to set my goal a little higher this year at 60 books!)
Because I read so much last year, I came across my share of amazing books (and a few duds). It took some time for me to narrow down my favorites, and I put a lot of thought into it.
The books I chose for this list aren't necessarily the books I rated 5 stars on Goodreads. While several of these would definitely fall under that category, I tried to pick books I'd recommend to others with little to no hesitation. (I say little hesitation because, let's face it, I read some pretty fucked up books sometimes, and I realize that some things just aren't for everyone).
I also tried to pick the books that stuck with me long after I turned the last page, whether it was because they made me see things in a new way, brought a lot of emotions to the surface, or were just that good.
These books are listed in the order in which they were read. If you click the link in the title, you'll be taken to my original review.
1. The End of Everything by Megan Abbott
This was the first book I read in 2015, and, after feeling stuck in a reading rut for several years, I credit The End of Everything for reigniting my passion for reading. This is one of those "not for everyone" books: a 13-year-old girl is abducted by a much older man, and her best friend is left to try to piece together exactly what happened and why. But, while it could be disturbing at times, it was a beautifully written story.
2. The Contortionist's Handbook by Craig Clevenger
I occasionally reread books I really enjoyed, but I'm often disappointed the second time around. It says a lot, then, that I loved The Contortionist's Handbook just as much last year as I did when I read it about 8 years prior. The main character is a master of forgery who constantly needs to reinvent himself in order to escape mental institutions and legal authorities, and the story completely sucks you in from page one.
3. The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld
If you're looking for a lighthearted, feel good kind of book, The Enchanted is not it. This book was heartbreaking and beautiful and tragic and horrifying. Set in a prison (more specifically, death row), the story is told from the point of view of a nameless, mute death row inmate who seems to see and know everything that goes on within the walls of the prison. I've never read anything quite like it.
4. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
When I dread going into work because I don't want to put a book down for 8 hours, I'm clearly really into it. It definitely lived up to the hype for me, and I loved that I wasn't able to completely figure everything out before it was revealed. (I love when an author can surprise me with his/her plot twists!) I think most people have probably read this book already, but if you haven't, you should.
5. White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi
This book had been on my "To Read" list for years, and I'm so glad I finally took the time to read it. The unconventional writing style may not be for everyone, but I thought it was almost poetic. Haunting, heartbreaking, and, at times, unsettling, White is for Witching tackles themes of family relationships, fear, alienation, and race (among others). It's not an "easy" read, but it's fantastic.
6. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
I haven't gotten around to reading everyone else's "Best Of" lists for 2015 yet, but I'm about 99.99% sure this book has popped up on a ton of them. It's just such a great story about first love and second chances featuring damaged yet realistic characters that you really fall in love with. I didn't expect to be hit so hard emotionally with this book, but I was a sobbing mess by the time I reached the end. I've been recommending this book to tons of people in real life, and, if you haven't read it already, I'd recommend it to you as well.
7. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
This powerful, beautifully written story of a family living in small town Ohio in the 1970s was yet another book that reduced me to tears. The characters were all dealing with some major issues, but it never felt over-the-top. Instead, Everything I Never Told You felt very real ... And it was brilliant. I loved everything about this book.
I tried to be very selective with my choices, so I left off quite a few books that I really enjoyed but wouldn't necessarily list as my absolute favorites of the year. I decided to make a quick list of the books I thought were really awesome, but not quite good enough to make the final cut.
Again, these are listed in the order in which I read them, and the link in the title will take you to my original review.
1. Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon
2. The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly
3. The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
4. A Pleasure and a Calling by Phil Hogan
5. Summer House With Swimming Pool by Herman Koch
6. You by Caroline Kepnes
7. The Kingdom of Childhood by Rebecca Coleman
8. Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes
9. Girl Defective by Simmone Howell
10. The Man From Primrose Lane by James Renner
11. We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver (review coming soon)
When it comes to reading, 2015 was a huge year for me. I'd been saying I would read 50 books in a year for at least 10 years, but I never managed to hit my goal. But last year? 59 books! I still can't believe I not only met my goal, but exceeded it. (It even inspired me to set my goal a little higher this year at 60 books!)
Because I read so much last year, I came across my share of amazing books (and a few duds). It took some time for me to narrow down my favorites, and I put a lot of thought into it.
The books I chose for this list aren't necessarily the books I rated 5 stars on Goodreads. While several of these would definitely fall under that category, I tried to pick books I'd recommend to others with little to no hesitation. (I say little hesitation because, let's face it, I read some pretty fucked up books sometimes, and I realize that some things just aren't for everyone).
I also tried to pick the books that stuck with me long after I turned the last page, whether it was because they made me see things in a new way, brought a lot of emotions to the surface, or were just that good.
These books are listed in the order in which they were read. If you click the link in the title, you'll be taken to my original review.
1. The End of Everything by Megan Abbott
This was the first book I read in 2015, and, after feeling stuck in a reading rut for several years, I credit The End of Everything for reigniting my passion for reading. This is one of those "not for everyone" books: a 13-year-old girl is abducted by a much older man, and her best friend is left to try to piece together exactly what happened and why. But, while it could be disturbing at times, it was a beautifully written story.
2. The Contortionist's Handbook by Craig Clevenger
I occasionally reread books I really enjoyed, but I'm often disappointed the second time around. It says a lot, then, that I loved The Contortionist's Handbook just as much last year as I did when I read it about 8 years prior. The main character is a master of forgery who constantly needs to reinvent himself in order to escape mental institutions and legal authorities, and the story completely sucks you in from page one.
3. The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld
If you're looking for a lighthearted, feel good kind of book, The Enchanted is not it. This book was heartbreaking and beautiful and tragic and horrifying. Set in a prison (more specifically, death row), the story is told from the point of view of a nameless, mute death row inmate who seems to see and know everything that goes on within the walls of the prison. I've never read anything quite like it.
4. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
When I dread going into work because I don't want to put a book down for 8 hours, I'm clearly really into it. It definitely lived up to the hype for me, and I loved that I wasn't able to completely figure everything out before it was revealed. (I love when an author can surprise me with his/her plot twists!) I think most people have probably read this book already, but if you haven't, you should.
5. White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi
This book had been on my "To Read" list for years, and I'm so glad I finally took the time to read it. The unconventional writing style may not be for everyone, but I thought it was almost poetic. Haunting, heartbreaking, and, at times, unsettling, White is for Witching tackles themes of family relationships, fear, alienation, and race (among others). It's not an "easy" read, but it's fantastic.
6. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
I haven't gotten around to reading everyone else's "Best Of" lists for 2015 yet, but I'm about 99.99% sure this book has popped up on a ton of them. It's just such a great story about first love and second chances featuring damaged yet realistic characters that you really fall in love with. I didn't expect to be hit so hard emotionally with this book, but I was a sobbing mess by the time I reached the end. I've been recommending this book to tons of people in real life, and, if you haven't read it already, I'd recommend it to you as well.
7. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
This powerful, beautifully written story of a family living in small town Ohio in the 1970s was yet another book that reduced me to tears. The characters were all dealing with some major issues, but it never felt over-the-top. Instead, Everything I Never Told You felt very real ... And it was brilliant. I loved everything about this book.
I tried to be very selective with my choices, so I left off quite a few books that I really enjoyed but wouldn't necessarily list as my absolute favorites of the year. I decided to make a quick list of the books I thought were really awesome, but not quite good enough to make the final cut.
Again, these are listed in the order in which I read them, and the link in the title will take you to my original review.
1. Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon
2. The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly
3. The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
4. A Pleasure and a Calling by Phil Hogan
5. Summer House With Swimming Pool by Herman Koch
6. You by Caroline Kepnes
7. The Kingdom of Childhood by Rebecca Coleman
8. Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes
9. Girl Defective by Simmone Howell
10. The Man From Primrose Lane by James Renner
11. We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver (review coming soon)
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Playlist: October 2015
I guess I should start this post by saying Happy Halloween. I'm not doing anything exciting to celebrate, but I'm totally fine with that. Instead of dressing up and going out, I'm working on getting some posts written and scheduled for the upcoming couple of weeks, doing a few things that need to be done around the house, reading, and figuring out last minute details for the upcoming trip to New Mexico. That's more than enough stuff to keep me busy this weekend!
And, since it's the end of the month, it's time for yet another one of my playlists.
This month I'm focusing on a few of my favorite "haunting" songs. (It is Halloween, after all.) These songs aren't scary (not at all!), but they all have a way of crawling deep under my skin and sticking with me long after the song has ended.
I know that haunting music isn't everyone's favorite thing, but I love it. I love when a song affects me in some way, and the songs on this playlist definitely do that.
And, since it's the end of the month, it's time for yet another one of my playlists.
This month I'm focusing on a few of my favorite "haunting" songs. (It is Halloween, after all.) These songs aren't scary (not at all!), but they all have a way of crawling deep under my skin and sticking with me long after the song has ended.
I know that haunting music isn't everyone's favorite thing, but I love it. I love when a song affects me in some way, and the songs on this playlist definitely do that.
Friday, October 16, 2015
Life Right Now/Random Thoughts and Things
I rarely write "currently" or "life lately" posts because, to be honest, my life isn't always that exciting. Not that I'm complaining. Sometimes I like to reread my old journals (including my LiveJournal), and I have to say that I do not miss living a crazy life worthy of a teen soap opera!
- Speaking of books, I still need to finish reading and commenting on the blogs that participated in Steph and Jana's Show Us Your Books! link-up. I've gotten so many great recommendations so far, and my "To Read" list just keeps growing!
(P.S. The quality of this video isn't as shitty as the still frame would have you believe. Also, this is a shortened version of the song, but you can at least get the idea.)
Okay, I promise to stop going on and on about how much I love Dallas Green ... For now, anyway.
- I've been having some issues with breakouts lately. It's nothing serious (thankfully I've never had any major issues with my skin!), but it's annoying. I started using Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser a couple of weeks ago, and my skin looks so much better already! It's also not drying out, which is a problem I often have when I'm trying to fight breakouts. (By the way, this isn't sponsored or anything, I just really like this product and wanted to share it!)
- I'm getting really excited for Christmas this year. I've been pretty depressed around Christmas for the past few years, so this is a nice change. I think I'm mostly excited because Eric and I will be flying to my hometown to spend Christmas with my family. This is something I haven't done since 2008 (and my grandmother passed away the following month). I'm hoping I can shake off the sadness this year and just enjoy the time with my family.
I'm happy with the way things are in my life right now, but I don't always go out and do a lot of things that I'd consider "blogworthy." I mean, if I'm being totally honest here, most of my weekends are pretty low key. And by low key, I mean that at least 80% of my weekends are spent living like a hermit, escaping to the world of books. Nothing wrong with that, right?
Anyway, today I've decided that I actually have enough random things I want to share to write a post. Some are more exciting than others, but they'll give you a good snapshot of my life right now.
Right Now in Entertainment:
- I'm slowly making my way through my gigantic stack of library books. I returned a couple today, but, of course, I had one waiting on my hold shelf. At least I returned more than I checked out (which is rare for me!).
- I'm currently reading Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin, and I'm having trouble getting into it. I think part of the problem is that I've been reading it in very short spurts, but I don't know. I feel like it's taking me forever to read it. I started it on Tuesday, and I'm not even 100 pages in! I hope it wows me soon because I was on the waiting list at the library for at least 3 months for this, and I was so excited when I finally brought it home!
- Speaking of books, I still need to finish reading and commenting on the blogs that participated in Steph and Jana's Show Us Your Books! link-up. I've gotten so many great recommendations so far, and my "To Read" list just keeps growing!
- I've been on a huge Dallas Green kick thanks to the release of the new City and Colour album last Friday. I knew he'd be exploring some new sounds on this album (his willingness to play around with different musical styles is just one of the reasons I love him), and I definitely wasn't disappointed!
- In addition to If I Should Go Before You, I've been listening to the entire Alexisonfire catalog on shuffle every afternoon on my drive home from work. The weather has been beautiful lately, so I've been enjoying it by opening my sunroof and singing at the top of my lungs. Definitely one of my favorite things to do.
- And just one more Dallas Green related thing (sorrynotsorry). When I was trying to figure out what live Alexisonfire video I wanted to include in my post last week, I found some videos of them performing back around 2004-2006, and I could not get over how young they look! I know it's been like 10 years and I've seen plenty of pictures of them from that era, but man ... They're just so adorable with their headbanging. Also weird/funny: Dallas with no facial hair and significantly fewer tattoos and George actually wearing a shirt. Haha.
(P.S. The quality of this video isn't as shitty as the still frame would have you believe. Also, this is a shortened version of the song, but you can at least get the idea.)
Okay, I promise to stop going on and on about how much I love Dallas Green ... For now, anyway.
Right Now in Random Shit I Like:
- I've been having some issues with breakouts lately. It's nothing serious (thankfully I've never had any major issues with my skin!), but it's annoying. I started using Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser a couple of weeks ago, and my skin looks so much better already! It's also not drying out, which is a problem I often have when I'm trying to fight breakouts. (By the way, this isn't sponsored or anything, I just really like this product and wanted to share it!)
- I always take a late morning break at work in an effort to recharge. I'm usually starving by this point, and my new favorite thing to snack on is a Clif Bar. If you haven't tried them, you should ... They're so fucking good! They have a ton of varieties, which is really nice if you're like me and find yourself eating one every day during the workweek. (Again, this isn't sponsored ... I just really love these. If you don't believe me, see the picture below.)
Right Now in Things I'm Looking Forward To:
- I'm getting really excited for Christmas this year. I've been pretty depressed around Christmas for the past few years, so this is a nice change. I think I'm mostly excited because Eric and I will be flying to my hometown to spend Christmas with my family. This is something I haven't done since 2008 (and my grandmother passed away the following month). I'm hoping I can shake off the sadness this year and just enjoy the time with my family.
- Eric and I finally picked a destination for our anniversary trip next month! We were having a hard time agreeing on where to go, and it suddenly just clicked for us in the most random way.
At first we considered going back to Europe (we considered Greece and Spain), but we really didn't want to spend that much money. It just wasn't practical for us to blow thousands of dollars on a vacation this year, so we started researching places closer to home.
New Orleans was pretty high on both our lists, but we knew we'd probably end up spending a lot on food and alcohol if we went there ... So not exactly a "cheap" trip.
We then started considering places within driving distance, and Colorado seemed like a good option. The only problem is that Eric has already been there several times, and we really wanted to go somewhere that was new to both of us.
So then I just started researching bed & breakfasts in random states we'd never been to that were 15 hours away or less. I found The Chocolate Turtle in Corrales, New Mexico and asked Eric what he thought. He thought it seemed like it was exactly what we were looking for, and we booked a room shortly after.
New Mexico is completely random and pretty far away for a road trip (about 13.5 hours, according to Google Maps!), but I think we're going to have a lot of fun. And, really, we were sold after looking at pictures like this:
At first we considered going back to Europe (we considered Greece and Spain), but we really didn't want to spend that much money. It just wasn't practical for us to blow thousands of dollars on a vacation this year, so we started researching places closer to home.
New Orleans was pretty high on both our lists, but we knew we'd probably end up spending a lot on food and alcohol if we went there ... So not exactly a "cheap" trip.
We then started considering places within driving distance, and Colorado seemed like a good option. The only problem is that Eric has already been there several times, and we really wanted to go somewhere that was new to both of us.
So then I just started researching bed & breakfasts in random states we'd never been to that were 15 hours away or less. I found The Chocolate Turtle in Corrales, New Mexico and asked Eric what he thought. He thought it seemed like it was exactly what we were looking for, and we booked a room shortly after.
New Mexico is completely random and pretty far away for a road trip (about 13.5 hours, according to Google Maps!), but I think we're going to have a lot of fun. And, really, we were sold after looking at pictures like this:
I can't wait!
If anyone has been to New Mexico (specifically the Albuquerque area), please feel free to give me some recommendations on places to eat, things to see, etc. We're only staying 5 nights, and we have a few things in mind already, but I'm always open to suggestions!
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Playlist: September 2015
I've had a few playlist ideas floating around in my head recently, so it was hard to choose which one I wanted to go with this month. After some thought, I decided to go with the one that would be the easiest to throw together. (Yes, I know ... I'm such an awesome blogger.)
And, since there aren't any Tool songs on Spotify, I'll share this YouTube video. I mean, I couldn't just leave them off the list completely ... They've been one of my favorite bands since I was 13! (Also, their music videos are fucking amazing, so it's not the worst thing in the world to have to post one here.)
I just rewatched the video while I was working on this post, and I'm still amazed by it. I'm not sure exactly when this video was made, but Undertow (the album the song is from) came out in 1993 ... So it's a safe bet this was made sometime in the early 90s. Now I feel like I need to dig out my Salival DVD and rewatch all of their videos on a bigger screen! (Wow, I'm a such a nerd.)
Okay, moving on to the playlist:
I know that several of these songs were really popular and were probably what drew most people to check out more of that band's/artist's music, but that doesn't make them seem any less special to me.
P.S. If you're reading this post on Bloglovin' and want to actually listen to the music, please click on through to the original post. Apparently the embedded Spotify playlists don't show up properly on Bloglovin', but you should be able to listen to the playlist if you're on my actual blog (assuming you have a Spotify account, of course). And if you don't have a Spotify account, you should get one. It's quick and easy to sign up (and free!), and you can make your own playlists and share music (and listen to all of my playlists, of course). And no, this isn't sponsored ... I just really love Spotify!
I usually don't mind putting a little extra effort into most of my posts, but, as you may have noticed, I've been kind of "meh" about blogging lately. I've been trying to post at least a couple of times each week, but I've either been too busy or too distracted with other things (like tearing through the huge stack of library books I have at home) to give my blog the attention I think it deserves. October should be a slightly less chaotic month for me, though, so hopefully I can work on getting back into a nice blogging groove.
But anyway ... Back to the music.
When I talk about music with other people, one of the most common questions I get is "How did you get into them?" ("Them" being the band or artist we're talking about.)
I always respond with the song that made me fall in love with that band/artist. Sometimes it's the first song I heard. Sometimes it's a song I heard much later that made me rethink my original opinion.
For example, Regina Spektor was one of those artists I didn't immediately fall in love with. A friend of mine made me listen to "Samson" years ago and I didn't really like it. Several years after that, "Eet" started playing on one of my Pandora stations and I realized I may have been a little too quick to judge. (And, oddly enough, "Samson" is now one of my favorites.) I guess this is proof that my tastes can change.
So today I'm going to share the songs that made me fall in love with some of my favorite bands/artists. (And trust me, this playlist doesn't cover all of my favorites. I had to use some restraint since I didn't want to make a 50+ song playlist!)
And, since there aren't any Tool songs on Spotify, I'll share this YouTube video. I mean, I couldn't just leave them off the list completely ... They've been one of my favorite bands since I was 13! (Also, their music videos are fucking amazing, so it's not the worst thing in the world to have to post one here.)
I just rewatched the video while I was working on this post, and I'm still amazed by it. I'm not sure exactly when this video was made, but Undertow (the album the song is from) came out in 1993 ... So it's a safe bet this was made sometime in the early 90s. Now I feel like I need to dig out my Salival DVD and rewatch all of their videos on a bigger screen! (Wow, I'm a such a nerd.)
Okay, moving on to the playlist:
I know that several of these songs were really popular and were probably what drew most people to check out more of that band's/artist's music, but that doesn't make them seem any less special to me.
P.S. If you're reading this post on Bloglovin' and want to actually listen to the music, please click on through to the original post. Apparently the embedded Spotify playlists don't show up properly on Bloglovin', but you should be able to listen to the playlist if you're on my actual blog (assuming you have a Spotify account, of course). And if you don't have a Spotify account, you should get one. It's quick and easy to sign up (and free!), and you can make your own playlists and share music (and listen to all of my playlists, of course). And no, this isn't sponsored ... I just really love Spotify!
Monday, August 31, 2015
Playlist: August 2015
Last month I shared some of my musical guilty pleasures, and then went on to make a playlist featuring many of the bands and artists mentioned in that post. My guilty pleasures post wasn't all about the music I'm embarrassed to admit I like, though. I also included music that most people are surprised to learn I like as well as some long time favorites that some might think I should have "outgrown" (but I obviously never did).
I tend to get a little nostalgic around this time of year, but it's not just because of all the back to school stuff. I mean, yes, sometimes I miss the excitement of a new school year (yes, I was one of those nerdy kids who actually looked forward to learning new things), but I think it's mostly because I'm another year older. I'm more removed from my youth.
In some ways it's relieving ... I mean, who wants to relive all the drama and insecurity and raging batshit crazy hormones of their preteen and teenage years? I certainly don't.
At other times, though, it's a little sad. High school wasn't the nightmare for me that it was for some people. I wasn't the prettiest, most popular girl (not by a long shot!), but I had a great group of close friends. I was involved in a lot of fun activities (drama, dance, band, flag corps, etc.). I had a few boyfriends, and began my first very serious, very long term (4 years) relationship the summer before my junior year. I saw my family, including my now deceased grandparents, all the time (something I definitely took for granted back then). I spent a lot of my free time writing, reading, and listening to music (not much has changed there, I guess). Sure, there were the shitty fights with friends, dramatic breakups, and occasional feelings of inadequacy ... But I mostly enjoyed my time in high school.
So, as an ode to my high school days (and the music I never outgrew), this month's playlist is all about the band that was my absolute favorite from 7th grade until my last year or so of college: Pearl Jam.
I never stopped loving Pearl Jam ... I just fell in love with some other bands and artists and stopped listening to them as often. (It probably also didn't help that most of their stuff after Riot Act just didn't do it for me.)
Lately, though, I've been listening to them a lot. And listening to Pearl Jam transports me back to a completely different time in my life ... A time when I thought anything was possible.
Music is powerful because it can bring so many memories to the surface. A single line might remind you of the happiest time in your life (or, conversely, your lowest point). So now I have to ask ... What music transports you to a completely different time in your life?
I tend to get a little nostalgic around this time of year, but it's not just because of all the back to school stuff. I mean, yes, sometimes I miss the excitement of a new school year (yes, I was one of those nerdy kids who actually looked forward to learning new things), but I think it's mostly because I'm another year older. I'm more removed from my youth.
In some ways it's relieving ... I mean, who wants to relive all the drama and insecurity and raging batshit crazy hormones of their preteen and teenage years? I certainly don't.
At other times, though, it's a little sad. High school wasn't the nightmare for me that it was for some people. I wasn't the prettiest, most popular girl (not by a long shot!), but I had a great group of close friends. I was involved in a lot of fun activities (drama, dance, band, flag corps, etc.). I had a few boyfriends, and began my first very serious, very long term (4 years) relationship the summer before my junior year. I saw my family, including my now deceased grandparents, all the time (something I definitely took for granted back then). I spent a lot of my free time writing, reading, and listening to music (not much has changed there, I guess). Sure, there were the shitty fights with friends, dramatic breakups, and occasional feelings of inadequacy ... But I mostly enjoyed my time in high school.
So, as an ode to my high school days (and the music I never outgrew), this month's playlist is all about the band that was my absolute favorite from 7th grade until my last year or so of college: Pearl Jam.
I never stopped loving Pearl Jam ... I just fell in love with some other bands and artists and stopped listening to them as often. (It probably also didn't help that most of their stuff after Riot Act just didn't do it for me.)
Lately, though, I've been listening to them a lot. And listening to Pearl Jam transports me back to a completely different time in my life ... A time when I thought anything was possible.
Music is powerful because it can bring so many memories to the surface. A single line might remind you of the happiest time in your life (or, conversely, your lowest point). So now I have to ask ... What music transports you to a completely different time in your life?
Friday, August 21, 2015
I Don't Always Love Classic Literature, But I Love These 5 Amazing Novels
If you've been reading this blog or checking out my Instagram for any amount of time, you've probably noticed that I really love books. I think I've been a little more in love with them this year because I've finally managed to overcome the awful reading slump I was in for a couple of years. And, for the first time ever, I'm actually on track to finish 50 books! (This probably excites me more than it should.)
4. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (Find it on Goodreads here.)
This is dystopian fiction at its finest. Set in a world where women no longer have rights, The Handmaid's Tale is the chilling story of Offred, a handmaid whose sole purpose is to provide the Commander with a child. However, this novel is not simply a tale of horror ... It's also a tale of loss. Offred can still remember her life before she became a handmaid: a time when she was free to work, free to seek knowledge, and free to love her husband and daughter. I've loved every Margaret Atwood novel I've read, but The Handmaid's Tale is a true classic.
5. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (Find it on Goodreads here.)
This is the only novel on this list that I don't own, which explains its absence in the photo. Although I haven't purchased my own copy (yet), I would happily read this again. This was required reading for one of my college literature courses, so I didn't expect to love it. (I rarely love books I'm required to read.) But Madame Bovary really struck a chord in me. Emma Bovary lives her life without truly living, in a constant state of dissatisfaction. When I first read this as a college student, I completely identified with that. For me, this novel served as both a cautionary tale and a slap in the face ... It affected me on so many levels.
I truly love reading, but I don't read many classics. After commenting/emailing with Steph a few days ago regarding To Kill a Mockingbird (which I haven't read yet), I started thinking about my relationship with classic literature.
At first I thought that maybe I haven't read enough. (But what is considered enough?)
Then I thought of all the classic novels I had to read in high school and college that I hated. The worst of the worst were the ones that seemed so promising ... The kind of books I'd pick up on my own. What disappointment. (I'm looking at you, As I Lay Dying!)
Then I started looking at my bookshelves. (I don't own every book I've ever read and loved, but I do own quite a few!) After scanning the titles, I realized that I've probably read more classics than I initially thought. And I actually loved several of them. I would even say that I consider some of these absolute favorites ... Books I'd happily read over and over and recommend without hesitation.
I love giving and receiving book recommendations (have I mentioned how much I love the Show Us Your Books! link-up with Steph and Jana?), so today I'm sharing 5 of my favorite classic novels.
1. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (Find it on Goodreads here.)
I first read this novel when I was a senior in college, and it changed my life. I was dealing with severe depression at that point, and this book made me feel a little less alone. I think The Bell Jar is an important book, and I feel that anyone who has dealt with depression would benefit from reading it. I realize that it may not have a profound effect on everyone, and some people may find Esther Greenwood "bratty" or "whiny." Regardless, the descent into a despair that cannot be shaken is something those dealing with depression will identify with, and this novel may also allow loved ones a glimpse into what they're going through.
2. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Find it on Goodreads here.)
This is one of the best books I've ever read. It's often referred to as a "horror classic," but it's not a traditional horror story. There are no ghosts or vampires or witches ... The true horror here lies within Dorian Gray, a man willing to sell his soul for eternal youth and beauty. Once an innocent man, Dorian allows himself to be corrupted by Lord Henry Wotton. Although he remains physically perfect, his portrait, which he keeps locked away, reveals the true nature of his ugly soul.
3. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (Find it on Goodreads here.)
Beautiful and haunting, it's easy to see why Lolita is considered by many (myself included) to be a masterpiece. Yes, it's about a man who falls in love with a very young girl ... But it's so much more than that. This novel made me feel so many conflicting emotions. Nabokov created an unreliable, unlikable narrator in Humbert Humbert and still managed to make me pity him. His obsession consumes him and, if readers are to believe his story, he allows himself to be manipulated over and over by the object of his affection. While there is some dark humor in this book, the overall feeling I was left with was heartache. As I said, this book made me feel so many things ... And it made me feel them deeply.
4. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (Find it on Goodreads here.)
This is dystopian fiction at its finest. Set in a world where women no longer have rights, The Handmaid's Tale is the chilling story of Offred, a handmaid whose sole purpose is to provide the Commander with a child. However, this novel is not simply a tale of horror ... It's also a tale of loss. Offred can still remember her life before she became a handmaid: a time when she was free to work, free to seek knowledge, and free to love her husband and daughter. I've loved every Margaret Atwood novel I've read, but The Handmaid's Tale is a true classic.
5. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (Find it on Goodreads here.)
This is the only novel on this list that I don't own, which explains its absence in the photo. Although I haven't purchased my own copy (yet), I would happily read this again. This was required reading for one of my college literature courses, so I didn't expect to love it. (I rarely love books I'm required to read.) But Madame Bovary really struck a chord in me. Emma Bovary lives her life without truly living, in a constant state of dissatisfaction. When I first read this as a college student, I completely identified with that. For me, this novel served as both a cautionary tale and a slap in the face ... It affected me on so many levels.
Before I end this post, I feel like I should say this: my "To Read" list is out of control (and constantly growing!), and classics often get shoved to the bottom of that list. I think it's because they're more of a "gamble" for me ... I usually either love classic novels or hate them. Occasionally my feelings fall somewhere between those two extremes, but, for the most part, I'll have a strong positive or negative reaction.
So I'm not saying that you should immediately run out and pick up a copy of any of these books if you haven't read them. (Though if you want to, that's awesome!) I get that classic literature isn't often at the top of everyone's "To Read" list. But, if you're in the mood for a classic and aren't sure what to read, give one of these books a try.
You may hate it (we all have different tastes, after all!), but who knows? You may discover a new favorite!
I'd love to hear from other book lovers. Have you read any (or all) of these? What are some of your favorite classic novels?
Thursday, June 25, 2015
The Divulge and Indulge Guide to the Best Disturbing Films
When I was trying to decide what to write about today, I realized that I haven't written anything about movies since last October. I love talking with my friends about great movies we've seen, so it seems kind of crazy that I've gone this long without sharing any of the other movies I love on my blog.
This is, by far, one of my favorite movies of all time. The plot centers around a young girl, Ofelia, who moves with her very pregnant mother to live with her sadistic new stepfather. She finds escape in a world of fairy tales and magic, with fantasy and reality blurring as she completes increasingly dangerous tasks in an effort to see her real father again. This is a very visually stunning film, but that's not all it has to offer. The acting and storyline suck you in and never let you go. It's a heartbreaking and often brutal film ... Once you've seen it, you won't forget it.
2. Irreversible
Let me begin by saying this is absolutely one of the most brutal, heartbreaking movies I've ever seen. This usually shows up on lists titled "Movies You Can Only Watch Once," and for good reason (though, if I'm being honest, I've seen it twice). There's a lot of controversy surrounding this film, mostly due to the very lengthy, very graphic rape scene, but there's more to it than that. As the title suggests, the film is told in reverse ... Viewers are greeted with a few shocking sequences, only to spend the rest of the movie learning more and more about these characters. It's an interesting and powerful look at violence and relationships and the lengths a person might go to in order to exact revenge.
3. Lilya 4-Ever
This movie will rip your heart out and stomp all over it. I've seen a few movies about human trafficking/the underground sex trade, and Lilya 4-Ever puts them all to shame. After her mother leaves for America, 16 year old Lilya is left to fend for herself. She spends most of her time with her only friend, Volodja, until she meets the older, sexy, exciting Andrej. Promising her a better life in Sweden, Lilya leaves everything she knows to be with him ... And finds herself trapped in a hellish nightmare she cannot escape. The acting is phenomenal, and the film is so realistic that your heart will literally break for these characters. I saw this one years ago, and I still think about it all the time.
4. Bully
Love him or hate him, Larry Clark knows how to get inside the often fucked up minds of teens. I've mentioned this movie once before, but never really gave much of a description of the actual plot. Bully is based on the true story of a group of teenagers in Florida who plot to murder a mutual friend after his cruelties become more than they can take. I love this movie because it's gritty and, in my opinion, very realistic. As the story unfolds, you can believe that these kids really can't see any other way out.
5. Requiem for a Dream
No list of disturbing movies would be complete without Requiem for a Dream. I know that some people really don't like this movie, but I think it's great. Viewers watch as 4 people's lives spiral out of control after becoming hopelessly addicted to drugs. It's never pretty, and often painful to watch ... This is a movie that will make you think long after it's over. I've seen this movie many times, and it never fails to make me cry.
6. We Need to Talk About Kevin
I usually don't watch a movie before I read the book, but in this case I did. (The book is sitting on my bookshelf at home just waiting to be read ... I'm sure I'll get to it eventually!) This movie chilled me to the bone because it took some of my worst fears about potentially becoming a mother and made them into a horrific reality. Could a mother love a son like Kevin, with his increasingly violent tendencies? That's the question this movie seeks to answer. This is a brilliant film that will stick with you for a long time.
7. Bad Education
This film explores the effects of childhood sexual abuse on two friends as they cross paths again later in life. It's kind of difficult to discuss more of the plot without throwing in too many spoilers, but it's an intense movie with some great performances (especially from Gael Garcia Bernal, pictured above).
8. Hard Candy
This is one of those movies I watched on a whim only to be pleasantly surprised. This is the story of a young girl who spends a lot of her time chatting with a much older man online. After making plans to meet in person at a coffee shop, she decides to go back to his apartment with him. At first it seems as though she's in danger, but we soon realize that she can more than hold her own. Hard Candy takes viewers on a wild ride, and by the end the line between good and evil becomes more and more blurred.
9. Kids
As with Requiem for a Dream, no list of disturbing movies would be complete without Kids. This is another look at the dark side of teenage life from none other than Larry Clark, and it deals with some serious shit (including the spread of HIV). At the end of this movie, my reaction was simply, "Whoa." If you like dark and disturbing entertainment and haven't seen this movie, you need to watch it immediately!
10. L.I.E.
When I started watching this movie, I had no idea what to expect. I tend to like Paul Dano's movies, so I was interested to see how some of his very early work would be. L.I.E. did not disappoint. This film deals with a lot of difficult subjects, but in a very realistic way. This is not a movie that will make you feel good about life, but it will definitely make you think.
I could probably list several more, but these were the ones that immediately came to mind as I sat down to write this post.
And finally, my little disclaimer: I realize that I didn't give a lot of details about some of these movies, so I'd suggest looking them up on IMDB if you're intrigued but unsure if the subject matter will be too much. I get that not everyone can (or wants to!) handle such disturbing material, so I always recommend doing your own research to determine if it's right for you.
As with my last movie post, I'm going to narrow my focus. Sure, I could list my favorite movies of all time, but I think it would be a pretty scattered list. That's not to say that I won't do that at some point ... Just not today.
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| Image provided by Pexels and edited by me. |
Today I'm going to be sharing some of my favorite disturbing films. I'm not talking about scary movies (some of my favorites in that category can be found by clicking the link in the first paragraph) ... I'm talking about movies that got inside me and touched a nerve. These are movies that I find myself thinking about often, whether I've seen them several times or only once.
I know that these types of movies aren't for everyone. But I also know that there are a lot of people out there just like me who enjoy dark and disturbing entertainment ... People who want to feel something when they're watching a movie or reading a book (and who don't necessarily need those feelings to be warm and fuzzy).
If this isn't your thing, that's cool. You can always come back another day when I'm discussing something that does interest you. If, however, you're looking for some recommendations for great (yet disturbing) films, you've come to the right place. (And please feel free to post your own recommendations in the comments!)
The Divulge and Indulge Guide to the Best Disturbing Films
1. Pan's Labyrinth
This is, by far, one of my favorite movies of all time. The plot centers around a young girl, Ofelia, who moves with her very pregnant mother to live with her sadistic new stepfather. She finds escape in a world of fairy tales and magic, with fantasy and reality blurring as she completes increasingly dangerous tasks in an effort to see her real father again. This is a very visually stunning film, but that's not all it has to offer. The acting and storyline suck you in and never let you go. It's a heartbreaking and often brutal film ... Once you've seen it, you won't forget it.
2. Irreversible
Let me begin by saying this is absolutely one of the most brutal, heartbreaking movies I've ever seen. This usually shows up on lists titled "Movies You Can Only Watch Once," and for good reason (though, if I'm being honest, I've seen it twice). There's a lot of controversy surrounding this film, mostly due to the very lengthy, very graphic rape scene, but there's more to it than that. As the title suggests, the film is told in reverse ... Viewers are greeted with a few shocking sequences, only to spend the rest of the movie learning more and more about these characters. It's an interesting and powerful look at violence and relationships and the lengths a person might go to in order to exact revenge.
3. Lilya 4-Ever
This movie will rip your heart out and stomp all over it. I've seen a few movies about human trafficking/the underground sex trade, and Lilya 4-Ever puts them all to shame. After her mother leaves for America, 16 year old Lilya is left to fend for herself. She spends most of her time with her only friend, Volodja, until she meets the older, sexy, exciting Andrej. Promising her a better life in Sweden, Lilya leaves everything she knows to be with him ... And finds herself trapped in a hellish nightmare she cannot escape. The acting is phenomenal, and the film is so realistic that your heart will literally break for these characters. I saw this one years ago, and I still think about it all the time.
4. Bully
Love him or hate him, Larry Clark knows how to get inside the often fucked up minds of teens. I've mentioned this movie once before, but never really gave much of a description of the actual plot. Bully is based on the true story of a group of teenagers in Florida who plot to murder a mutual friend after his cruelties become more than they can take. I love this movie because it's gritty and, in my opinion, very realistic. As the story unfolds, you can believe that these kids really can't see any other way out.
5. Requiem for a Dream
No list of disturbing movies would be complete without Requiem for a Dream. I know that some people really don't like this movie, but I think it's great. Viewers watch as 4 people's lives spiral out of control after becoming hopelessly addicted to drugs. It's never pretty, and often painful to watch ... This is a movie that will make you think long after it's over. I've seen this movie many times, and it never fails to make me cry.
6. We Need to Talk About Kevin
I usually don't watch a movie before I read the book, but in this case I did. (The book is sitting on my bookshelf at home just waiting to be read ... I'm sure I'll get to it eventually!) This movie chilled me to the bone because it took some of my worst fears about potentially becoming a mother and made them into a horrific reality. Could a mother love a son like Kevin, with his increasingly violent tendencies? That's the question this movie seeks to answer. This is a brilliant film that will stick with you for a long time.
7. Bad Education
This film explores the effects of childhood sexual abuse on two friends as they cross paths again later in life. It's kind of difficult to discuss more of the plot without throwing in too many spoilers, but it's an intense movie with some great performances (especially from Gael Garcia Bernal, pictured above).
8. Hard Candy
This is one of those movies I watched on a whim only to be pleasantly surprised. This is the story of a young girl who spends a lot of her time chatting with a much older man online. After making plans to meet in person at a coffee shop, she decides to go back to his apartment with him. At first it seems as though she's in danger, but we soon realize that she can more than hold her own. Hard Candy takes viewers on a wild ride, and by the end the line between good and evil becomes more and more blurred.
9. Kids
As with Requiem for a Dream, no list of disturbing movies would be complete without Kids. This is another look at the dark side of teenage life from none other than Larry Clark, and it deals with some serious shit (including the spread of HIV). At the end of this movie, my reaction was simply, "Whoa." If you like dark and disturbing entertainment and haven't seen this movie, you need to watch it immediately!
10. L.I.E.
When I started watching this movie, I had no idea what to expect. I tend to like Paul Dano's movies, so I was interested to see how some of his very early work would be. L.I.E. did not disappoint. This film deals with a lot of difficult subjects, but in a very realistic way. This is not a movie that will make you feel good about life, but it will definitely make you think.
I could probably list several more, but these were the ones that immediately came to mind as I sat down to write this post.
And finally, my little disclaimer: I realize that I didn't give a lot of details about some of these movies, so I'd suggest looking them up on IMDB if you're intrigued but unsure if the subject matter will be too much. I get that not everyone can (or wants to!) handle such disturbing material, so I always recommend doing your own research to determine if it's right for you.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Tasty Tuesday: The Top 5 Divulge and Indulge Favorites from 2014
As I promised previously, today's post will feature my 5 favorite Divulge and Indulge Tasty Tuesday posts from this year.
These 5 posts were chosen solely based on the recipe shared. (I felt like I should probably mention that since some of the pictures aren't the greatest. I also didn't want anyone reading this to think I believed all of these posts showcase my best writing. They don't.)
I made some really good shit this year, so it was pretty difficult to narrow it down to 5 favorites. I tried to choose the things I would eat over and over again (though even that was tough!), and I also stuck with recipes I tried for the first time in 2014 in an effort to narrow it down a little further.
1. White Cheddar and Fontina Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese
This is a big bowl of unhealthy goodness that's worth every single bite. For years I've tried to find the perfect macaroni and cheese recipe, and this is it.
2. Spinach and Artichoke Tortellini Bake
This is another completely unhealthy dish that's worth the extra calories. Eric and I love spinach and artichoke dip, and the flavors in this meal make you feel like you're eating spoonfuls of it along with pasta and more cheese. Delicious!
3. Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole with Rice
This is total comfort food, and I could eat it most days during the fall and winter. I've made this a couple of times this year, and I will definitely be making it again soon!
4. Tilapia in a Jalapeno Cream Sauce with Rice
I had no idea whether this would actually be good or not when I first decided to try it out, but it was amazing. The dish is unique and flavorful, and I'm so glad I decided it was worth trying!
5. Pumpkin Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
I don't post many dessert recipes on Divulge and Indulge because I'm still not very confident in my baking skills. That being said, I was really proud of the way these cookies turned out. They're definitely my new favorite chocolate chip cookies!
If anyone reading this would like to comment, I'd love to know what your favorite Tasty Tuesday posts were. I'd also like to hear any suggestions for future Tasty Tuesday posts ... Is there something you'd like to see on Divulge and Indulge? I'll do my best to try something out if there's a specific type of recipe you'd like me to post!
These 5 posts were chosen solely based on the recipe shared. (I felt like I should probably mention that since some of the pictures aren't the greatest. I also didn't want anyone reading this to think I believed all of these posts showcase my best writing. They don't.)
I made some really good shit this year, so it was pretty difficult to narrow it down to 5 favorites. I tried to choose the things I would eat over and over again (though even that was tough!), and I also stuck with recipes I tried for the first time in 2014 in an effort to narrow it down a little further.
1. White Cheddar and Fontina Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese
This is a big bowl of unhealthy goodness that's worth every single bite. For years I've tried to find the perfect macaroni and cheese recipe, and this is it.
2. Spinach and Artichoke Tortellini Bake
This is another completely unhealthy dish that's worth the extra calories. Eric and I love spinach and artichoke dip, and the flavors in this meal make you feel like you're eating spoonfuls of it along with pasta and more cheese. Delicious!
3. Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole with Rice
This is total comfort food, and I could eat it most days during the fall and winter. I've made this a couple of times this year, and I will definitely be making it again soon!
4. Tilapia in a Jalapeno Cream Sauce with Rice
I had no idea whether this would actually be good or not when I first decided to try it out, but it was amazing. The dish is unique and flavorful, and I'm so glad I decided it was worth trying!
5. Pumpkin Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
I don't post many dessert recipes on Divulge and Indulge because I'm still not very confident in my baking skills. That being said, I was really proud of the way these cookies turned out. They're definitely my new favorite chocolate chip cookies!
If anyone reading this would like to comment, I'd love to know what your favorite Tasty Tuesday posts were. I'd also like to hear any suggestions for future Tasty Tuesday posts ... Is there something you'd like to see on Divulge and Indulge? I'll do my best to try something out if there's a specific type of recipe you'd like me to post!
Friday, December 26, 2014
The Divulge and Indulge 2014 Year in Review
I told myself I wouldn't make a "year in review" type of post since everyone does this, but then I was like, "Fuck it. I like reading those posts, so why not write one myself?"
This isn't going to be all about my favorite Divulge and Indulge posts, though. I'll definitely include those, but I also just wanted to cover my life in 2014 in general. I decided I really wanted to do this after reading some of my "year in review" posts from my LiveJournal days. It's kind of fun to go back and see how much I (and my tastes) have changed over the years. To be perfectly honest, this post is probably going to be more for me than for any readers I may have, but that's okay. Maybe someone will enjoy it anyway.
5 Favorite Songs:
The criteria for my favorite songs is simple: it must have been released at some point during 2014. I hate to admit this, but it was really hard to come up with even 5 awesome songs from this year. As you may have noticed from my monthly playlists, I'm not exactly a huge fan of popular music ... And unfortunately, a lot of my favorite bands and artists didn't release new stuff this year.
1. "Make You Better" - The Decemberists
This is by far my favorite song released this year. I've literally been listening to this on repeat for the last several weeks. It's a beautiful song that moves me to tears almost every time I hear it, and I can't wait until the album is released next month! (Side note: I really wanted to include this on my December playlist, but it's not available on Grooveshark for some reason.)
2. "Breaker 1" - Interpol
I was pretty excited for the new Interpol album this year (though they didn't come back to Omaha on this tour, so that made me sad). Although nothing they put out ever seems to top Antics for me, El Pintor has some really great tracks. After listening to this album every day for several weeks, I determined that "Breaker 1" was my personal favorite. It's classic Interpol: dark, haunting, and addictive.
3. "Evil Voices" - The Faint
This was by far my favorite song on Doom Abuse, and I may or may not have played it over and over in my car at a ridiculously high volume while I danced like an idiot after its release. (Side note: Eric hates The Faint, which is just crazy to me. Not only are they awesome, they're also local ... How can any true Omahan hate them? They're also playing at The Waiting Room for two nights this month, and I'm totally bummed that my friends that also love them no longer live here to go with me. Eric obviously won't be going, and I didn't want to go alone. Whomp whomp.)
4. "Promise" - Tori Amos
I'm a huge Tori Amos fan, but I've admittedly been disappointed with a lot of her newer work. There are usually a few really good songs on the newer albums (which, for me, means anything released after Scarlet's Walk), but I haven't been blown away by them in the same way I was with Scarlet's Walk and everything preceding that. Unfortunately, her latest album also fell a little flat for me. The songs aren't bad and some of the lyrics are really great ... But they're just lacking a passion I've come to expect from her. Regardless, "Promise" really stood out to me because it's just such a sweet song. It's definitely not her best work, but I really liked it for two reasons: it's a great song about a love between mother and daughter and she performs it as a duet with her own teenage daughter, Natashya.
5. "Ultraviolence" - Lana Del Rey
I think there are a lot of really good songs on Ultraviolence, but this song really stands out to me as the best. (Though "West Coast" takes a close second.) I think I really appreciate the cinematic quality ... I can easily picture scenes playing out when I listen to it, and I'm a huge fan of music that tells a story. (Side note: It's kind of shocking that I like Lana Del Rey as much as I do. Her music isn't what I'd typically listen to, but I find myself liking her more and more. While I don't love all of her songs, the ones I do like are so damn catchy that I find myself singing them constantly. I also really love her voice.)
5 Favorite Books:
I'm making this section a little easier on myself because I honestly don't even know if I've read 5 books that were published in 2014. In order for a book to be included on this list, it had to be read during 2014 (but could have been published at any time). I really slacked on my reading this year, so coming up with 5 favorite books was probably harder than it should have been.
1. The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald
It took me a long time to read this book because it's 811 pages long, but it was well worth the time. I read another book by the same author a couple of years ago (Fall on Your Knees), and I fell in love with it. The Way the Crow Flies was similar in that it focused on a family and their experiences over the course of several years, but the story itself was completely different. Her novels focus on some of the darker aspects of human nature and she definitely doesn't shy away from making her readers uncomfortable, so if that's not your thing, this probably isn't the book for you. If, however, you're okay with disturbing subject matter and are looking for an interesting, beautifully written novel, I highly recommend The Way the Crow Flies. This was by far the best book I read all year.
2. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
I feel like everyone in the world had already read this book before I got around to it. This is actually pretty surprising since I'd already read (and loved!) Gillian Flynn's first two novels a couple of years ago. I have also seen the movie, but I definitely preferred the book. Don't get me wrong ... The movie isn't bad or anything. I just felt like there were some important details that were left out (which is typically the case since most adapted movies would be 5 or 6 hours long if everything from the book was included). And, if I'm being totally honest here, I'm not a huge fan of Ben Affleck. He was actually a good choice for the role of Nick Dunne, but I would never go see a movie just because he was in it. But anyway ... I'm getting way off track. I really liked Gone Girl, and I loved the way the author chose to reveal information throughout the novel. I thought it was really effective, and it definitely kept me interested.
3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
This is another book that everyone has probably already read, but that doesn't make it any less amazing. I usually don't read young adult fiction, but this book was just so good. (I actually haven't seen the movie yet, so I can't comment on that.) Although I knew what would most likely happen by the end, I still cried throughout the last part of the novel. The book is funny and sweet and heartbreaking all at once, and I'm really glad I didn't let the young adult fiction label turn me off from it.
4. The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnete Friis
The Boy in the Suitcase is a crime thriller with an interesting premise. Although I thought the character development could use a little work, it definitely kept me interested. I liked the fact that the authors didn't reveal why the boy was kidnapped in the beginning, nor did I correctly guess why it had happened. I always appreciate an element of surprise in novels (particularly when it comes to thrillers!), so I thought the authors did a great job revealing important information little by little. It wouldn't be the first book I'd recommend, but if you're a fan of crime thrillers, I'd say it's worth a read.
5. Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk (reread)
I wasn't sure if I should include this since it was a reread, but I did read it this year ... So we'll go with it. I'll admit that I'm kind of a fangirl when it comes to Chuck Palahniuk (okay, let's be real, I'm more than "kind of" a fangirl), so my opinions of his work are probably horribly biased. That being said, Lullaby is, for the most part, a fantastic novel. Yes, some parts are a little repetitive, but it's an overall enjoyable read. I love that a lot of his work contains these incredibly beautiful lines that stick in your mind long after the last page is turned. This isn't my favorite Palahniuk novel (that award goes to Invisible Monsters), but it's definitely worth reading at least once.
Oh, and just in case you were wondering how much of a fangirl I am, here is a picture of me with Chuck Palahniuk back in 2007 during his Rant book tour:
I drove 3 hours to attend that signing. I also look like a deer in the headlights in this picture. I mean, I was fucking standing next to Chuck Palahniuk! I'm also sure I dazzled him with my great conversation skills since I think the only words I could come up with were, "Hi, it's nice to meet you!"
Anyway ... Back to 2014. We'll leave 2007 in the past.
5 Favorite Movies:
I can almost guarantee I didn't see 5 movies that were released in 2014. Since that's the case, I'll make my criteria for movies the same as my criteria for books: I just had to see it this year ... It could have been released at any time (though a couple of these were actually released this year!).
1. Stoker
From the moment I first heard about this movie, I wanted to see it. If ever there was a movie that seemed specifically tailored to my personal tastes, this would be it. I was actually nervous about watching it because I was so afraid I'd be let down. Thankfully I wasn't! Stoker was just as dark, beautiful, and haunting as I'd hoped it would be, and although it's definitely not as over-the-top fucked up as some of Chan-wook Park's other films (like Oldboy), it has its moments. This was by far the best movie I watched this year.
2. I Origins
I've mentioned before how much I love Michael Pitt, so it's probably not surprising that one of his more recent films made it onto this list. The imagery in this film is absolutely stunning, and I loved all of the questions it raised about reincarnation. While I don't personally believe in reincarnation, the way in which the movie presented the idea was fascinating. The movie wasn't perfect by any means, but I thought it was definitely unique and beautiful and featured some great performances.
3. The Seasoning House
I've already written about this movie, so I won't bore you by writing too much about it here. I do want to say, though, that I really didn't have any expectations when I started watching The Seasoning House so I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a really tense and interesting thriller. I was also really impressed with Rosie Day's performance (and yes, I know I mentioned that before, but she was really fucking awesome), especially since you don't always see such incredible performances in low budget independent thrillers.
4. Broken
This film is based on a book of the same name by Daniel Clay. I read the novel a couple of years ago and it quickly earned a spot in my favorite books of all time. Although I found the novel to be far superior, the movie was still great (despite the fact that a lot of details were changed or completely omitted). This definitely isn't a "feel good" kind of movie (in fact, I'd say it's exactly the opposite), but it's well worth watching. I'd highly recommend both the book and the movie, though I'd also recommend grabbing a big box of tissues ... If you're anything like me, you're going to need them.
5. Gone Girl
I know I already mentioned the book, but I think the movie does deserve a place on this list. Yes, it didn't live up to the book for me, but it was still a damn good movie. I saw this in the theater with Eric and my brother-in-law, Jake, and it was totally worth the ridiculous price of a movie ticket. I love that this is very much a "Kristen movie" (as the people in my life tend to call really dark and/or fucked up movies), but it's also a movie that really appealed to the masses. If you haven't seen this yet, you probably should.
5 Favorite Divulge and Indulge Posts:
I've loved working on my blog throughout this year. Although I don't anticipate ever becoming a "big blogger," I do hope to gain some new followers in the new year. The posts I'm including in this list are the ones that I'd want to direct any new readers to in the hopes that they'd want to stick around to see what else I have to say.
1. Crawling Back To You (originally posted 05.26.2014)
This was the first post I was really hesitant to publish (and not just because my husband reads this blog). It was hard for me to put all of that out there, but I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and share something really personal.
2. Thoughts On #yesallwomen (originally posted 06.01.2014)
I typically write about more personal things and less about current events, but I was really inspired by the #yesallwomen phenomenon (despite my dislike of Twitter). I knew I wanted to write something on the topic and share a few of my own experiences, and this post was the result.
3. The Divulge and Indulge Guide to the Best Scary Movies (originally posted 10.27.2014)
This was one of my favorite posts to write because I really love horror/thriller movies, and, of course, I love sharing cool shit with other people. I had a lot of fun trying to compile a list of movies that were worthy of being called the "best."
4. I Love You More Than I Have Ever Found A Way To Say To You (originally posted 11.09.2014)
This is my mushy one year wedding anniversary post that shares the story of how Eric and I first met way back in 2007. (Yes, 2007 was a big year for me. I met both Chuck Palahniuk and my future husband!) I always have fun sharing our love story with others because it's not the typical "we met in school" or even "we met on a dating site" kind of story.
5. How to Make a Long Distance Relationship Work: 7 Tips from Someone Who Has Been There (More Than Once!) (originally posted 11.20.2014)
If there's one thing I feel qualified to give advice on, it's long distance relationships. (I was "The Queen of Long Distance" for a while, after all. I gave myself that title, but still ... It wasn't inaccurate.) Although the advice given in this post was mostly common sense, it felt good to share the things that really worked for me in the past. I know this post has gotten quite a bit of traffic, so hopefully at least one person found it useful or interesting!
General Favorites in 2014:
1. Favorite Trip: Obviously this award goes to my late honeymoon/one year anniversary trip to New York, The Netherlands, Belgium, and France. If you're new to this blog and want to check out some pictures and information, posts about our trip can be found here, here, here, and here.
2. Favorite New To Me Restaurant (in Omaha): This is a tough one because we tried several really great places this year, but I think this award should probably go to Dario's Brasserie. Eric took me there for my 30th birthday dinner, and everything was absolutely delicious. I also appreciated the fact that I was able to try something completely new (rabbit). It was definitely one of the best meals I ate this year.
3. Favorite New To Me Restaurant (in any other city): We ate at so many great places while we were on vacation, but one meal really stood out as being the best. That meal was the one we had at A La Petite Chaise in Paris.
4. Favorite Concert: I didn't go to as many concerts this year as I have in the past, which was kind of disappointing. I was trying to stick mostly to the Omaha area for shows since we were already spending a lot of money and using a lot of vacation time to go to New York and Europe. Unfortunately, some of the bands and artists I wanted to see didn't come to our area ... And, like I said, this year I really couldn't justify using the extra money and vacation time to travel for a concert. I was still able to go to a few shows, though, and I really enjoyed all of them. This year I saw Neutral Milk Hotel (twice!), Arctic Monkeys, and Death Cab for Cutie (my second time seeing them). It's hard to choose a favorite, but, since I'm making myself choose, I think the first Neutral Milk Hotel show in Kansas City was the best. The atmosphere was great, the acoustics were fantastic, and I was just so fucking ecstatic to actually have the opportunity to see them perform live. I never thought that would happen. (I was lucky enough to see them again about a month later in Omaha, but the venue/acoustics weren't quite as good and I think some of my excitement faded with the headache/stomachache combo I was dealing with that day.)
And because I think this post needs another picture:
5. Favorite Purchase: For this category, I'm not including anything related to meals out, concerts/other shows, or travel. (If I did, I probably couldn't choose just one thing!) The best purchase made this year (excluding items in the aforementioned categories) was definitely my Beats headphones. Eric and I both got some before our trip (and agreed that they would just be our Christmas gifts to one another since we probably would have bought them for each other for Christmas anyway if we hadn't needed/wanted them a month earlier), and they were worth every penny. I got a pair of the urBeats earbuds because I'm not a huge fan of the bulkier headphones. The sound is great, and the best part is that I can't hear anything else when I have them in. The music doesn't even have to be turned up loud to drown out the noise around me! (This really came in handy during a flight that included no less than 5 babies. I heard no crying until I removed my earbuds. None. It was glorious!) I'm not going to say that you should run out and buy these now (this isn't a sponsored post, after all!), but I will say that I love my Beats and I'm really glad I got them before our trip.
I know this post is long, so if you made it to this point, thanks for reading! Next Tuesday I'll be sharing my 5 favorite Divulge and Indulge Tasty Tuesday posts, so if you like these "year in review" posts be sure to check that out! I'll also be posting my New Year's resolutions in an upcoming post. Hopefully I can come up with some great goals for myself for 2015!
This isn't going to be all about my favorite Divulge and Indulge posts, though. I'll definitely include those, but I also just wanted to cover my life in 2014 in general. I decided I really wanted to do this after reading some of my "year in review" posts from my LiveJournal days. It's kind of fun to go back and see how much I (and my tastes) have changed over the years. To be perfectly honest, this post is probably going to be more for me than for any readers I may have, but that's okay. Maybe someone will enjoy it anyway.
5 Favorite Songs:
The criteria for my favorite songs is simple: it must have been released at some point during 2014. I hate to admit this, but it was really hard to come up with even 5 awesome songs from this year. As you may have noticed from my monthly playlists, I'm not exactly a huge fan of popular music ... And unfortunately, a lot of my favorite bands and artists didn't release new stuff this year.
1. "Make You Better" - The Decemberists
This is by far my favorite song released this year. I've literally been listening to this on repeat for the last several weeks. It's a beautiful song that moves me to tears almost every time I hear it, and I can't wait until the album is released next month! (Side note: I really wanted to include this on my December playlist, but it's not available on Grooveshark for some reason.)
2. "Breaker 1" - Interpol
I was pretty excited for the new Interpol album this year (though they didn't come back to Omaha on this tour, so that made me sad). Although nothing they put out ever seems to top Antics for me, El Pintor has some really great tracks. After listening to this album every day for several weeks, I determined that "Breaker 1" was my personal favorite. It's classic Interpol: dark, haunting, and addictive.
3. "Evil Voices" - The Faint
This was by far my favorite song on Doom Abuse, and I may or may not have played it over and over in my car at a ridiculously high volume while I danced like an idiot after its release. (Side note: Eric hates The Faint, which is just crazy to me. Not only are they awesome, they're also local ... How can any true Omahan hate them? They're also playing at The Waiting Room for two nights this month, and I'm totally bummed that my friends that also love them no longer live here to go with me. Eric obviously won't be going, and I didn't want to go alone. Whomp whomp.)
4. "Promise" - Tori Amos
I'm a huge Tori Amos fan, but I've admittedly been disappointed with a lot of her newer work. There are usually a few really good songs on the newer albums (which, for me, means anything released after Scarlet's Walk), but I haven't been blown away by them in the same way I was with Scarlet's Walk and everything preceding that. Unfortunately, her latest album also fell a little flat for me. The songs aren't bad and some of the lyrics are really great ... But they're just lacking a passion I've come to expect from her. Regardless, "Promise" really stood out to me because it's just such a sweet song. It's definitely not her best work, but I really liked it for two reasons: it's a great song about a love between mother and daughter and she performs it as a duet with her own teenage daughter, Natashya.
5. "Ultraviolence" - Lana Del Rey
I think there are a lot of really good songs on Ultraviolence, but this song really stands out to me as the best. (Though "West Coast" takes a close second.) I think I really appreciate the cinematic quality ... I can easily picture scenes playing out when I listen to it, and I'm a huge fan of music that tells a story. (Side note: It's kind of shocking that I like Lana Del Rey as much as I do. Her music isn't what I'd typically listen to, but I find myself liking her more and more. While I don't love all of her songs, the ones I do like are so damn catchy that I find myself singing them constantly. I also really love her voice.)
5 Favorite Books:
I'm making this section a little easier on myself because I honestly don't even know if I've read 5 books that were published in 2014. In order for a book to be included on this list, it had to be read during 2014 (but could have been published at any time). I really slacked on my reading this year, so coming up with 5 favorite books was probably harder than it should have been.
1. The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald
It took me a long time to read this book because it's 811 pages long, but it was well worth the time. I read another book by the same author a couple of years ago (Fall on Your Knees), and I fell in love with it. The Way the Crow Flies was similar in that it focused on a family and their experiences over the course of several years, but the story itself was completely different. Her novels focus on some of the darker aspects of human nature and she definitely doesn't shy away from making her readers uncomfortable, so if that's not your thing, this probably isn't the book for you. If, however, you're okay with disturbing subject matter and are looking for an interesting, beautifully written novel, I highly recommend The Way the Crow Flies. This was by far the best book I read all year.
2. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
I feel like everyone in the world had already read this book before I got around to it. This is actually pretty surprising since I'd already read (and loved!) Gillian Flynn's first two novels a couple of years ago. I have also seen the movie, but I definitely preferred the book. Don't get me wrong ... The movie isn't bad or anything. I just felt like there were some important details that were left out (which is typically the case since most adapted movies would be 5 or 6 hours long if everything from the book was included). And, if I'm being totally honest here, I'm not a huge fan of Ben Affleck. He was actually a good choice for the role of Nick Dunne, but I would never go see a movie just because he was in it. But anyway ... I'm getting way off track. I really liked Gone Girl, and I loved the way the author chose to reveal information throughout the novel. I thought it was really effective, and it definitely kept me interested.
3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
This is another book that everyone has probably already read, but that doesn't make it any less amazing. I usually don't read young adult fiction, but this book was just so good. (I actually haven't seen the movie yet, so I can't comment on that.) Although I knew what would most likely happen by the end, I still cried throughout the last part of the novel. The book is funny and sweet and heartbreaking all at once, and I'm really glad I didn't let the young adult fiction label turn me off from it.
4. The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnete Friis
The Boy in the Suitcase is a crime thriller with an interesting premise. Although I thought the character development could use a little work, it definitely kept me interested. I liked the fact that the authors didn't reveal why the boy was kidnapped in the beginning, nor did I correctly guess why it had happened. I always appreciate an element of surprise in novels (particularly when it comes to thrillers!), so I thought the authors did a great job revealing important information little by little. It wouldn't be the first book I'd recommend, but if you're a fan of crime thrillers, I'd say it's worth a read.
5. Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk (reread)
I wasn't sure if I should include this since it was a reread, but I did read it this year ... So we'll go with it. I'll admit that I'm kind of a fangirl when it comes to Chuck Palahniuk (okay, let's be real, I'm more than "kind of" a fangirl), so my opinions of his work are probably horribly biased. That being said, Lullaby is, for the most part, a fantastic novel. Yes, some parts are a little repetitive, but it's an overall enjoyable read. I love that a lot of his work contains these incredibly beautiful lines that stick in your mind long after the last page is turned. This isn't my favorite Palahniuk novel (that award goes to Invisible Monsters), but it's definitely worth reading at least once.
Oh, and just in case you were wondering how much of a fangirl I am, here is a picture of me with Chuck Palahniuk back in 2007 during his Rant book tour:
 |
| The wedding stuff is related to the book he was promoting, so it's not really as weird as it looks. |
I drove 3 hours to attend that signing. I also look like a deer in the headlights in this picture. I mean, I was fucking standing next to Chuck Palahniuk! I'm also sure I dazzled him with my great conversation skills since I think the only words I could come up with were, "Hi, it's nice to meet you!"
Anyway ... Back to 2014. We'll leave 2007 in the past.
5 Favorite Movies:
I can almost guarantee I didn't see 5 movies that were released in 2014. Since that's the case, I'll make my criteria for movies the same as my criteria for books: I just had to see it this year ... It could have been released at any time (though a couple of these were actually released this year!).
1. Stoker
From the moment I first heard about this movie, I wanted to see it. If ever there was a movie that seemed specifically tailored to my personal tastes, this would be it. I was actually nervous about watching it because I was so afraid I'd be let down. Thankfully I wasn't! Stoker was just as dark, beautiful, and haunting as I'd hoped it would be, and although it's definitely not as over-the-top fucked up as some of Chan-wook Park's other films (like Oldboy), it has its moments. This was by far the best movie I watched this year.
2. I Origins
I've mentioned before how much I love Michael Pitt, so it's probably not surprising that one of his more recent films made it onto this list. The imagery in this film is absolutely stunning, and I loved all of the questions it raised about reincarnation. While I don't personally believe in reincarnation, the way in which the movie presented the idea was fascinating. The movie wasn't perfect by any means, but I thought it was definitely unique and beautiful and featured some great performances.
3. The Seasoning House
I've already written about this movie, so I won't bore you by writing too much about it here. I do want to say, though, that I really didn't have any expectations when I started watching The Seasoning House so I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a really tense and interesting thriller. I was also really impressed with Rosie Day's performance (and yes, I know I mentioned that before, but she was really fucking awesome), especially since you don't always see such incredible performances in low budget independent thrillers.
4. Broken
This film is based on a book of the same name by Daniel Clay. I read the novel a couple of years ago and it quickly earned a spot in my favorite books of all time. Although I found the novel to be far superior, the movie was still great (despite the fact that a lot of details were changed or completely omitted). This definitely isn't a "feel good" kind of movie (in fact, I'd say it's exactly the opposite), but it's well worth watching. I'd highly recommend both the book and the movie, though I'd also recommend grabbing a big box of tissues ... If you're anything like me, you're going to need them.
5. Gone Girl
I know I already mentioned the book, but I think the movie does deserve a place on this list. Yes, it didn't live up to the book for me, but it was still a damn good movie. I saw this in the theater with Eric and my brother-in-law, Jake, and it was totally worth the ridiculous price of a movie ticket. I love that this is very much a "Kristen movie" (as the people in my life tend to call really dark and/or fucked up movies), but it's also a movie that really appealed to the masses. If you haven't seen this yet, you probably should.
5 Favorite Divulge and Indulge Posts:
I've loved working on my blog throughout this year. Although I don't anticipate ever becoming a "big blogger," I do hope to gain some new followers in the new year. The posts I'm including in this list are the ones that I'd want to direct any new readers to in the hopes that they'd want to stick around to see what else I have to say.
1. Crawling Back To You (originally posted 05.26.2014)
This was the first post I was really hesitant to publish (and not just because my husband reads this blog). It was hard for me to put all of that out there, but I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and share something really personal.
2. Thoughts On #yesallwomen (originally posted 06.01.2014)
I typically write about more personal things and less about current events, but I was really inspired by the #yesallwomen phenomenon (despite my dislike of Twitter). I knew I wanted to write something on the topic and share a few of my own experiences, and this post was the result.
3. The Divulge and Indulge Guide to the Best Scary Movies (originally posted 10.27.2014)
This was one of my favorite posts to write because I really love horror/thriller movies, and, of course, I love sharing cool shit with other people. I had a lot of fun trying to compile a list of movies that were worthy of being called the "best."
4. I Love You More Than I Have Ever Found A Way To Say To You (originally posted 11.09.2014)
This is my mushy one year wedding anniversary post that shares the story of how Eric and I first met way back in 2007. (Yes, 2007 was a big year for me. I met both Chuck Palahniuk and my future husband!) I always have fun sharing our love story with others because it's not the typical "we met in school" or even "we met on a dating site" kind of story.
5. How to Make a Long Distance Relationship Work: 7 Tips from Someone Who Has Been There (More Than Once!) (originally posted 11.20.2014)
If there's one thing I feel qualified to give advice on, it's long distance relationships. (I was "The Queen of Long Distance" for a while, after all. I gave myself that title, but still ... It wasn't inaccurate.) Although the advice given in this post was mostly common sense, it felt good to share the things that really worked for me in the past. I know this post has gotten quite a bit of traffic, so hopefully at least one person found it useful or interesting!
General Favorites in 2014:
1. Favorite Trip: Obviously this award goes to my late honeymoon/one year anniversary trip to New York, The Netherlands, Belgium, and France. If you're new to this blog and want to check out some pictures and information, posts about our trip can be found here, here, here, and here.
2. Favorite New To Me Restaurant (in Omaha): This is a tough one because we tried several really great places this year, but I think this award should probably go to Dario's Brasserie. Eric took me there for my 30th birthday dinner, and everything was absolutely delicious. I also appreciated the fact that I was able to try something completely new (rabbit). It was definitely one of the best meals I ate this year.
3. Favorite New To Me Restaurant (in any other city): We ate at so many great places while we were on vacation, but one meal really stood out as being the best. That meal was the one we had at A La Petite Chaise in Paris.
4. Favorite Concert: I didn't go to as many concerts this year as I have in the past, which was kind of disappointing. I was trying to stick mostly to the Omaha area for shows since we were already spending a lot of money and using a lot of vacation time to go to New York and Europe. Unfortunately, some of the bands and artists I wanted to see didn't come to our area ... And, like I said, this year I really couldn't justify using the extra money and vacation time to travel for a concert. I was still able to go to a few shows, though, and I really enjoyed all of them. This year I saw Neutral Milk Hotel (twice!), Arctic Monkeys, and Death Cab for Cutie (my second time seeing them). It's hard to choose a favorite, but, since I'm making myself choose, I think the first Neutral Milk Hotel show in Kansas City was the best. The atmosphere was great, the acoustics were fantastic, and I was just so fucking ecstatic to actually have the opportunity to see them perform live. I never thought that would happen. (I was lucky enough to see them again about a month later in Omaha, but the venue/acoustics weren't quite as good and I think some of my excitement faded with the headache/stomachache combo I was dealing with that day.)
And because I think this post needs another picture:
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| I bought these tickets as a birthday gift to myself in August 2013, so I had literally been looking forward to that show for months! |
5. Favorite Purchase: For this category, I'm not including anything related to meals out, concerts/other shows, or travel. (If I did, I probably couldn't choose just one thing!) The best purchase made this year (excluding items in the aforementioned categories) was definitely my Beats headphones. Eric and I both got some before our trip (and agreed that they would just be our Christmas gifts to one another since we probably would have bought them for each other for Christmas anyway if we hadn't needed/wanted them a month earlier), and they were worth every penny. I got a pair of the urBeats earbuds because I'm not a huge fan of the bulkier headphones. The sound is great, and the best part is that I can't hear anything else when I have them in. The music doesn't even have to be turned up loud to drown out the noise around me! (This really came in handy during a flight that included no less than 5 babies. I heard no crying until I removed my earbuds. None. It was glorious!) I'm not going to say that you should run out and buy these now (this isn't a sponsored post, after all!), but I will say that I love my Beats and I'm really glad I got them before our trip.
I know this post is long, so if you made it to this point, thanks for reading! Next Tuesday I'll be sharing my 5 favorite Divulge and Indulge Tasty Tuesday posts, so if you like these "year in review" posts be sure to check that out! I'll also be posting my New Year's resolutions in an upcoming post. Hopefully I can come up with some great goals for myself for 2015!
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