[ angry at the television ]

I am ticked off at TBS at the moment.

They keep showing me little tiny commercials about how My Boys is coming back in June.

JUNE!

That's in, like, forever.

I have been waiting to find out who PJ brings to Italy since AUGUST!

I want My Boys back now.

They won't even show me old episodes now.

Bastards.

[ checking a few off the list ]

Just a quick update to my 101 in 1001 list.

009. Read one business book a month
I'm just over half-way done with The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It, by Michael E. Gerber. It's about the three distinct personalities that everyone has (usually one way more-so than the others) when starting a business: the Entrepreneur, the Technician and the Manager; and about finding balance between those three. It's also about treating your business as a product that will be reproduced a thousand times, and how to make it error-proof, and able to run without you.

019. Go back East to visit friends & family at least once a year
I haven't gone yet, but I am knee-deep in planning my East Coast extravaganza for this summer. I'll be hitting up Boston, Cape Cod, Baltimore, Raleigh, Greenville and possibly NYC to see friends and family. Most of the friends I haven't seen in almost a year (over a year by the time I get there), and a few friends I haven't seen in several years. It's gonna be awesome!

043. Drink 64 ounces of water every day
I'm officially a camel. Some days I feel like I'm about to float away. And the craziest part... I'm still frequently thirsty! Living in a desert really takes it out of you, huh?

049. Start shooting one roll of film or 50 digital images every week
I've actually been able to do this thanks to my own clients! Week One was the Ladies Who Launch Bio Makeover Party; Week Two was an infant shoot with an tiny and oh-so-freaking-adorable four week old; Week Three was a fashion shoot for my friend's children's clothing line; Week Four will be a shoot with two little girls on Saturday; and Week Five will be a corporate head shot session next Friday!

055. Explore Phoenix - one new place per month
This month I ate breakfast at Matt's Big Breakfast. It's a tiny (literally maybe seats 20 people at a time) building, just a short walking distance from my apartment, and it's highly praised out here. It's even been featured on the Food Network. The food was absolutely incredible! And by the time we were done (I was with my parents), there were about 20 people milling around outside waiting for a table!

056. Learn to enjoy wine
I tried a Pinot Grigio from Italy that I really really liked. Of course, I can't for the life of me remember what it was called. However, I know what the bottle looks like, so if I see it again, I can buy it!

070. Build a stylish and professional and FUN wardrobe
I got a few new, really nice, pieces. A fabulous black cotton dress from GAP, and a few nicer tops from Old Navy. Does anyone have any recommendations for places I can find nice, but fun, clothes, but for not too much cash?

084. Watch one classic movie a month
The Way We Were, starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford. I picked it because (don't laugh!) it's mentioned a lot in Gilmore Girls. I had never seen it, and I like it when I know what the hell they are talking about on the show. So now I get all those references. Plus it was fantastic. And double-plus... Robert Redford is freaking HOT! I mean, I always thought he was attractive (Have you seen The Great Gatsby? Hoooly moly!), and this just solidified it. Yummy.

086. Meet a famous person
I met several at the Phoenix Film Festival! Read about it here.

093. See a cultural event once every six months
Jesse & I went to see a ballet at the beginning of the month. It was performed by Ballet Arizona, and was called Mixed Repertory: A Celebration of Dance! I really liked it a lot... I've always though ballet was just incredibly beautiful. Seeing The Nutcracker is my absolute favorite thing to do around Christmas time.


Yay! Slowly chipping away at it!

[ my middle name should be random ]

And now, a random sampling of the haps of my life:

I know I'm wicked late to jump on the bandwagon, but I finally saw Juno. And I heart it just as much as every other person who has raved about it. I watched it two times this weekend, and contemplated letting Blockbuster charge me the extra $20 for keeping it. In the end, my desire to actually have money in my pocket led me to return it today.

As much as gas prices suck, I'm actually pretty okay with it. Mainly because my car gets rockin' gas mileage. I kept track this time around, and since my last fill-up, my little Suzy got an average of 29.64 miles to the gallon. GO SUZY!

I named my bike Lily. For absolutely no reason. She's a blueish green, and doesn't even look particularly feminine. But I looked at her and said "Lily." First thing that popped to my head... sometimes shit just goes down like that.

Speaking of names, how do you refer to yourself? My whole life, I've been Becca to my friends and Rebecca to my family, teachers, professors and bosses. But now, I always introduce myself as Rebecca, so that's what most people I know in AZ call me. But I called a couple old friends from good-ole-Sandwich today, and I actually stuttered when I was saying who it was... "Hey! It's Rebe... Bec... Rebecca. Becca (last name)!" I didn't know my own name for a minute. It was weird.

And lastly, I know I already mentioned this once, but if you haven't checked out She & Him, Volume One.... DO IT NOW!

[ grand canyon ]

A few weeks ago (okay... like three weeks... so I'm a little slow posting), my mother and father were visiting for their spring break, and for one day, we went up to the Grand Canyon. We took a really nice tour, so didn't have to do anything but sit back, relax, and see the big ass canyon. None of us had ever been there before, so it was pretty awesome to see it.

I took some of my fun cameras with me, but don't have those pictures yet, so you'll just have to enjoy some digital ones!

Now, I knew the Grand Canyon was big. The word "grand" is in the title. But seriously... it's HUUUUUUUUUGE. I was in complete awe.




Possibly my favorite picture that I took digitally. I'm a dork, I know:







For about 50 more images, check out my Flickr Page!

[ phoenix film festival: the people i met ]

So, at the Phoenix Film Festival, I got a chance to talk to a bunch of producers and directors. But I alsooooo got to meet a few actors. No one incredibly hugely famous, but it was still pretty cool.

First off, Johnny Messner. Now, the only thing I knew him from was a few episodes of The OC, so I won't be shocked if you have no idea who he is. On The OC, he was Julie's ex-boyfriend from way back, and one day he showed up with a porno starring Julie, and then Caleb had him killed. Rockin'. Anyway, he was in The Art of Travel, which I looooooooved.

I actually had two separate, ten or fifteen minute conversations with him: one right after I saw his film, and one during one of the parties. His voice scared the shit out of me, because it's wicked low and gravely, but I wasn't expecting it to be SO low and SO gravely in person. He asked if I liked the movie, and because I did, we talked about it for a little while. He was really nice, and wicked stoked that so many people liked the movie.


Secondly, and probably the one I was most excited about, Jonathan Schaech. If you've ever seen That Thing You Do, he played the lead singer of The Wonders. He was in a horror film called Organizm at the Festival, which I didn't see, because I'm not too big on horror films.

I basically just exchanged pleasantries with him. He was going into a film that I was taking tickets for, so I tore his ticket and told him to enjoy, and he thanked me. After the movie, he left the theatre first, and I got to actually meet him and introduce myself. Woot!


Next is Pras, from the Fugees. He did a Q&A session after his documentary Skid Row showed. Everyone asked questions, and he answered them. I was practically unconscious because it was two in the morning, so I didn't so much meet him as be in the same room with him.


And lastly, Shane West. What I actually knew him from was A Walk to Remember and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, but he was also on E.R. for a few years. The first time I saw him, he was coming out of the Q&A session after his film, What We Do Is Secret, but I didn't say anything to him because he was completely surrounded by practically-fainting girls, and I didn't want to add to it. So he just hung out in the hall for maybe fifteen or twenty minutes, and all I did was smile at him as I walked past to leave.

Later that night, I was working the Awards Party, and he was there too, so I did get to say hello and introduce myself. I didn't have too much to talk about, because I didn't really want to say that I only knew him from those two movies, neither of which I particularly liked, and I hadn't been able to see the film that was in the Festival. But we chatted for a few minutes, and he seemed really nice and genuine.


So, yeah... I got to meet a few actors and a rapper. Goooooo me. It was pretty cool. I was proud of myself for not acting like a moron. I was able to string whole sentences together, and not act star-struck, so that's good!

[ found the pictures through google ]

[ phoenix film festival: the movies i saw ]

For the past week and a half, I've been volunteering at the Phoenix Film Festival. I mostly took tickets, directed people to the right place, and answered questions. Because I volunteered at least 20 hours (I think I ended up logging closer to 30), I got to see as many movies as I wanted to for free. I ended up having time to see five films, as well as a collection of College-Student-made Short Films. I highly highly highly highly recommend all of them!

Son of Rambow
This movie was absolutely incredible. The person who described it to me said it was about "two British boys who decide to make a Rambo movie after seeing Last Blood." And I thought, "Oh dear lord, why am I going to see this?!?" But it was so so much more than that. It was an incredible story of friendship and boundaries and coming into your own. It's extremely funny and extremely heart-warming.

Mongol
I never ever in my life thought my brain would create the thought "I feel bad for Genghis Khan," but this film made me think it. I have to admit it. It's a biopic about Genghis Khan's life, before he was Genghis Khan. It covers his life from the time he chose his wife and lost his father, at around age 9, up through the battle that sealed his destiny. It really is an amazing and beautiful movie. It makes you remember that everyone is human.

The Art of Travel
This is one of my new favorite films. It follows a young man named Connor, who is about to marry his girlfriend and go off to college, when his whole life turns around. He ends up in Nicaragua by himself, with no money. When he eventually makes it to Panama, he meets two people who will change his life forever. It is an exquisitely done film, starring Christopher Masterson. The scenery is just amazing, the story is so well-done. It made me want to go to an airport and get on the next international flight, no matter where it was heading.

Skid Row
This one was intense. Pras (from the Fugees) lived on Skid Row in LA for nine days, with no money and no help from his crew or friends, filming the entire experience with hidden cameras. There is just no way to describe this movie. All I can say is it was at once intense, terrifying and heartbreaking. I actually had to turn away a few times, because I simply couldn't handle what was shown on the screen. It was really well-done, just really horribly sad.

On Broadway
This one actually won the Audience Award at the festival. It stars Joey McIntyre (yes, of New Kids on the Block) and Eliza Dushku, among others. It's focuses on an Irish family in Boston. When Joey McIntyre's character's uncle dies in an accident, it inspires him to write a play about the traditions and connections within the Irish community. Basically everything is against him, but he knows in his gut that he needs to write the play and get it on stage. This film is absolutely beautiful. Heart-wrenching, really funny, incredibly touching, extremely inspiring. I absolutely loved it, and it definitely deserved the Audience Award.

Really great films, all of them. Others that I wanted to see, and were highly recommended by others at the festival: What We Do Is Secret (couldn't find a trailer); Take (which won Best Film); The Life Before Her Eyes; The Visitor; Dakota Skye (which won Best Screenplay); and 11 Minutes Ago.

Stay tuned for a report on who I met!

[ someone thinks i'm excellent ]

Holy mackerel... someone thinks I'm excellent! I actually was awarded an Excellence Award, by the fabulouso Kat! I'm kind of bummed that she was the one who awarded it to me, because she's definitely one of the people I would give it to! So definitely check her out... her blog is greatamundo!

But yay! I got a blogging award from someone! Yay :)


The Rules: By accepting this Excellent Blog Award, you agree to award it to 10 more people whose blogs you find Excellent Award worthy. You can give it to as many people as you want but please award at least 10. You deserve this! Feel free to award people who have already been awarded.

Therefore, I lovingly award the following people with an Excellent Blog Award:

Tiff at Truth Bombs
Sadira at Foolsewoode
Jen at Simply Breakfast
Sarah at Sarerinthal
Jessica at How About Orange
Chelsea at Chelsea Talks Smack
Candace at Big Cheeks
Katelin at Gorgeous Footsteps in the Sand
Nicole at More is Better
Elle at The IT Girl

Go visit them all! Now!

[ happy april ]

Happy April!

I know, I know. You're thinking, "Wait!?! A real post from Rebecca?!? No freakin' way!"

It has indeed been a while since I have posted something that wasn't a list. I have been unmotivated. It has been pathetic. I've had plenty of time to post, I just haven't wanted to.

However... now I am busy.

I am currently the type of busy where the only way to survive is to be insanely productive. I am the type of busy that I love and crave and seriously can't live without. I am busy with work stuff, fun stuff, volunteer stuff.

I am busy.

I'm the fruit loop who hates having nothing to do. I was the weird kid in grade school who hated summer vacation because after a week of hanging out and doing nothing, I was bored. I was the kid who played on four soccer teams at once, just to have something to do. I was the high schooler who got up early to do some extra homework, went to school for the day, read during lunch, stayed after school until 5 o'clock to help with the theatre company's production of South Pacific, raced home to change into practice clothes, drove 45 minutes for a 2 hour soccer practice, drove 45 minutes home and then did homework until midnight.

And I'm the kid who loved that.

I like having stuff to do. I am insanely productive when I have an insane amount of things going on. I am at my best when I have too much happening. I am happiest when I'm running to and from things. I am blissful when I don't have time to watch television. I am ecstatic when I have to spend all my time doing something.

And now I am busy. I am happier than I've been in a while.

Simply because I'm busy!

And you, my dears, have the following posts to look forward to (I guess I'm still in list mode!):

1. My new decision on what the most romantic part of a movie is
2. My mother's insane jewelry making skills
3. My first-ever visit to the Grand Canyon
4. My new soccer team
5. My insane LWL meeting on Monday night
6. My first-ever blog award (which I'm so excited about!)
7. The Phoenix Film Festival, at which I'm volunteering this weekend

And probably more that I can't think of right now, or which haven't happened yet!

Now I've got to do some work, before I head back to work! (I love this!)

PS: If you haven't already, check out She & Him! AMAZING!

[ march 31: 101 in 1001 ]

New and improved! I actually managed to completely write the list before posting it... and even categorize it!

Start Date: April 1, 2008
End Date: December 27, 2010

Bold = Complete
Italic = In Progress
Linked = Posted About

BUSINESS
001. Legally establish FiveGoodGoats
002. Enter local art shows
003. Create a portfolio book: a real, bound book
004. Get to the point that 5GG is my main, if not only, source of income
005. Self-design & publish a book of my photography
006. Have a table of photographs for sale at Downtown Phoenix's First Friday
007. Update 5GG.com once every three months (0/11)
008. Go to a Ladies Who Launch LIVE event
009. Read one business book a month (1/33)
010. Photograph a famous person
011. Get a part-time job or internship a few hours a week in graphic or interior design

TRAVEL
012. Road trip Western America
013. Visit Hawaii
014. Go back to Italy
015. Take advantage of cheap Southwest flights
016. Visit San Francisco
017. Visit London
018. Go to LA
019. Go back East to visit friends & family at least once a year (0/3)
020. Plan a backpacking trip across Europe to go on before I turn 30
021. Visit a National Forest

LEARNING / EDUCATION
022. Research a new photographer every week for a month (0/4)
023. Take one art class a year (0/3)
024. Expand my literary influences - one new author a month (0/33)
025. Increase my fluency in Italian
026. Learn to make jewelry
027. Read 100 books (0/100)
028. Learn how to screenprint at home
029. Learn to sew
030. Learn to cook: at least two new recipes a week (0/66)
031. Take classes in three different, and extremely varied topics
032. Read all of the Harry Potter books in Italian without referencing the English versions (0/7)
033. Take a cooking class
034. Get a library card at the Phoenix Public Library
035. Make a decision about Grad School - what to study
036. Learn basic car maintenance
037. Take a class in or self-teach myself more about web design & HTML
038. Learn about one new and entirely random topic a month (0/33)

HEALTH
039. Start hiking regularly
040. Create an exercise plan and stick to it
041. Go rock climbing (indoor or outdoor)
042. Do 50 push ups in a row
043. Drink 64 ounces of water every day
044. Try skiing (again) or snowboarding
045. Run a 5K, preferably for charity
046. Fix my posture: stop slouching!
047. Buy all fruits & veggies at a Farmer's Market for one month
048. Run a mile without having to walk

PHOTOGRAPHY
049. Start shooting one roll of film or 50 digital images every week
050. Scan all my negatives
051. Teach a photography class
052. Photograph my shoes
053. Write emails or letters to 5 photographers I admire

FOR ME
054. Get over my fear of deep water
055. Explore Phoenix - one new place per month (1/33)
056. Learn to enjoy wine
057. Buy and wear a bikini for the first time
058. Track my spending for a month and use it to create a detailed budget
059. Make a list of 100 things that make me happy
060. Send a secret to Postsecret
061. Back up all important files regularly
062. Complete a Sudoku puzzle every day for a month
063. Create an inspiration board
064. Save at least $50 a month; up it to $100 a month when/if possible (0/33)
065. Do something nice for myself every day
066. Make a list of 50 things I enjoy doing alone, and do each and every one of them (0/50)
067. Spend one evening a week without watching television or using my computer
068. Go to a spa and get completely pampered
069. Refinish or paint my dining room table and chairs so they match
070. Build a stylish and professional and FUN wardrobe
071. End my day with reading, not television at least twice a week
072. Get a watch that works or fix the two I have that don't
073. Make my bed right after waking up
074. Decide if I really do want a tattoo; if yes, decide where & what
075. Stop using plastic bags completely

FOR OTHERS
076. Send handmade or self-designed cards only for holidays and birthdays
077. Participate in Habitat for Humanity
078. Find a non-profit that I am passionate about and volunteer with it
079. Purge my closet - things that haven't been worn in 6 months or more go to charity
080. Send real mail to a friend 10 times (0/10)
081. Send a care package to someone who needs it
082. Leave a 100% tip for a particularly good waiter or waitress

FOR FUN
083. Go bowling
084. Watch one classic movie a month (1/33)
085. See a movie at a drive-in
086. Meet a famous person
087. Take photos in a photo booth at least 3 times (0/3)
088. Have a picnic
089. Fly in a hot air balloon
090. Put all one dollar bills I receive as change in a "do-something-fun" fund
091. Ride a roller coaster
092. See Jimmy Buffett live
093. See a cultural event once every six months (1/5)
094. Go to a hockey game

BLOGGING
095. Be a guest blogger for someone
096. Participate in at least three of NaBloPoMo's monthly challenges per year (0/9)
097. Become a better blogger: blog at least two times a week
098. Become a better commenter: comment on at least one post a day

AT THE END
099. Donate $1 to charity for every item not completed
100. Put $1 in my savings account for every item completed
101. Create a new 101 in 1001 list

[ march 30: favorites ]

A month of lists wouldn't be complete without a list of favorites! Here are some of mine.

MY FAVORITE:

Color: Orange
Song: Now & Forever by Richard Marx (the ultimate love song... it never gets not-good)
Pet: PUPPIES! (Although I've never had one)
City: Florence, Italy
Country: Italy
Meal: Breakfast (especially pancakes)
Item of Clothing: My orange and blue New Balance sneakers that I bought in Siena
TV Show: Gilmore Girls; My Boys (comes back in June!!)
Film: The Princess Bride
Book: The Hobbit
Scent: Pomegranate Martini from Bath & Body Works
Vacation Spot: Italy
Type of Weather: Sunny and warm, with a slight breeze
Body Part (on the opposite sex): Arms
Body Part (on me): Freckles (not a body part, but still my favorite)
Drink: Coffee
Season: Winter
Time of Day: Dusk
Holiday: Christmas

Any favorites I didn't reveal that you'd like to know? Ask away, my dears!

I can't believe that March's NaBloPoMo list-making craziness is almost over! I've got to get to work finishing compiling the big doozy list: a new and improved 101 in 1001 list! I also have about half a dozen non-list, real-life posts in the line-up, that I haven't had a chance to post... seeeee you tomorrow!