Tuesday Tunes

Hello from Durban! I just got in today and am already feeling a little overwhelmed by the place. The flight was pretty good and the drive from the airport was beautiful. Has me thinking about traveling and places I miss this lovely Tuesday, hence the theme of this week's Tuesday Tunes.

1. "Leaving on a Jet Plane" - Chantal Kreviazuk
2. "California 2005" - Phantom Planet
3. "I've Been Everywhere" - Johnny Cash
4. "Around The World" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
5. "Born to Run" - Bruce Springsteen

Mud

I saw Mud yesterday, and I was a little skeptical at first because I wasn't really sure what the premise was going to be so I was trying to keep my expectations low. Holy crap, it was amazing.

I feel like Matthew McConaughey gets typecast as the hot dude in chick flicks, but this is another movie that proves he's a much better actor than that (I'd also recommend U-571 and Angels in the Outfield). And then the two boys, Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland, were twice as good maybe. They complemented each other perfectly. Honestly, I think Tye Sheridan could get an Oscar nod.

Other than the actors, the filmography and location were beautiful. Tons of shots of the river at all times of the day and night, oh man, take me there. The story was brilliant. Without giving too much away, I thought it was great that even though romances were the main basis for the plot, it never felt cliche or like a chick flick. Also, I love how Ellis's (Tye Sheridan) motivations change throughout the movie based on his perceptions of love and the relationships of the people around him. It's very heartfelt and I walked out feeling a big jumble of nostalgic for that age and desirous of some adventure...so then we went and had lemonade and giant slices of cheesecake.

Summer Plans!

I've got a big announcement to make!

My Masters program requires us to do an 8-week internship over the summer, as I've mentioned previously. After much stressing and panicking, not all of which has subsided yet, I've booked my tickets to be in Durban, South Africa this summer!

I'm going to be working with a non-profit organization called MatCH (Maternal, Adolescent, and Child Health) doing monitoring and evaluation of some of their projects. If anyone's been to Durban or lives there or knows someone that's been there and has any advice about anything travel-related, PLEASE email me or comment. Let's be real, I could use all the help I can get.

A Picture Worth A Thousand Words

A monumental event in my life took place last Tuesday.

Andrew McMahon
Most of you that have been around a while know about my obsession with all things Andrew and Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate. These were the first songs I really truly fell in love with, and they've continued to change me in different ways as I've grown up. Last Tuesday, I made an impromptu 2.5-hour trip to Charlotte, NC. I was exhausted from driving and class all day, and until about two hours before, hadn't even been sure I was going to go. I missed the openers, but as soon as I walked into the theater, the energy and the sound of the songs I love made it so so obvious that there was nowhere else I'd rather have been. AND THEN I MET HIM, HOLY CRAPPPP. It was one of those real short 2-minute meetings, but after 9 years of listening to his music, 6 concerts, a set list, and an embarrassing amount of merchandise, it was perfect. It's strange to have a picture mean so much, because it was only moments. I shook the whole drive home, but I can honestly say, it's been a long time since I've been so happy about something.