hello 2009

School is back in session-back to the daily grind. Winter break was wonderful, but I think I'm definitely ready to get back into my normal schedule of keeping busy. 

I think right now seems to be movie season-I have seen a few AWESOME movies over the past month or two. Slumdog Millionaire is still at the top of my list. Seven Pounds and Gran Torino were tear-jerkers for me (I saw them within the same week too-yikes). AND there are still a ton of films on my list: Milk, Revolutionary Road, The Reader, and I'm still debating on whether or not I want to see The Wrestler. I really like the director, Darren Aronofsky, who also directed Requiem for a Dream and The Fountain-both of which I loved. From what I've heard from people who have already seen it, the mood sounds a lot like Requiem-very hollow and lonely. I already know that I'll have to be in a certain mood to see it.

I am extremely happy to hear that Ron Howard will be directing Arrested Development the movie. Word is though that Michael Cera is reluctant to sign on and return as George Michael. He seems to have mastered the awkward teenager role, so I have no idea what they are going to do if he decides not to partake. 

Yesterday Frances took Kathryn and I to Le Garage Sale at the Palmer Events Center. It was pretty cool-$10 admission fee for access to extremely discounted merchandise from shops around Austin. I ended up getting a pair of shoes for $10 and a 2 ft Ugly Doll for $25 hahaha. 

I've been doing this trial at Sunstone Yoga where you get 10 days of yoga for $10. I can definitely say that I have fallen in love with hot yoga. It's perfect for a good sweaty workout, a nice stretch, and a detoxing relaxer all at the same time. Too bad classes cost an arm and a leg...maybe I'll be getting some cash for my birthday (which is this week-yay 21!). I was thinking about baking some cupcakes from the cupcake book that I bought with Matt a few weeks ago. They all look exquisite. Anyways, happy belated 2009!

pics from the holiday extravaganza

The Granada sent me pics from the Polyphonic Spree Holiday Extravaganza. Here are some of my favorites:

holiday set

rock set

the crowd (you can see me and matt in the top right corner)

joy

marshmallows roasting on an open fire

Last night felt a lot like Christmas (t-minus 5 days). A bunch of us gathered over at Jen's house and built a fire outside in the freezing cold and sat around making smores until our lungs couldn't handle the smokiness anymore. Listened to Christmas tunes and just sat around enjoying everyone's company~it was very pleasant. Afterwards we watched House Bunny which ended up being pretty entertaining (although totally ridiculous...I do acknowledge this). Very merry night overall. I still need to go out and get my Christmas lights fix soon~maybe tonight perhaps.

Matt and I went to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra the other night to see their holiday concert. It made me pretty nostalgic; I miss performing and playing an instrument. I always wonder what life would be like if I had decided to make music a career choice. Maybe I can do PR for the DSO someday haha. That would be awesome. 

We were playing trivia the other night and one of the questions was "Who starred in Der Fuehrer's Face, an anti-Nazi propaganda from the 1940's?" The correct answer ended up being Donald Duck (nobody got this answer correct), and since I found this amusing, I'll leave you with this:  Der Fuehrer's Face Walt Disney Productions

visual noise

In reference to my blog title, visual noise is synonymous with physical clutter. I was surfing around earlier that found a website that uses the description of visual noise to help organize and clear up your space from all the clutter/chaos/noise and return to peace (and quiet). Kind of a novel concept~not to say that I don't mind chaos every now and then...

Anyways, last night Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was on tv while I was eating dinner. I decided to IMDB some stuff and I found out that Tim Burton is directing/producing a new Alice in Wonderland! Although it's already a drug trip of a book/film, Burton and his crew (Johnny Depp was cast as the Mad Hatter recently) are expected to release this remake in 2010 sometime. Apparently it's going to be part action and part motion-capture animation. I CAN NOT WAIT to see what Burton conjures up.

Last night Matt and I went to the 8th Annual Polyphonic Spree Holiday Extravaganza at the Granada. As expected it was 6 whole hours of ecstatic holiday cheer. I'm a fan of their music, but an even bigger fan of their live shows (something that you can only experience to know what I'm talking about). They had a bunch of different holiday acts and then of course their holiday set and later in the evening a separate rock set. Frosty the Snowman and Santa (along with the reindeer and elves) were there to greet the crowds. It was absolutely wonderful (minus the fact that it ran until 2 am...I'm a lame old lady that needs her sleep). I think we're going to make it a yearly tradition, so if you're up for Christmas Polyphonic Spree style, you should definitely join us next year. 

the Spree!