Introducing the Late Show with Adri

After much contemplation, I have decided my blog needs a theme. I have spent the last few weeks curiouly exploring others' blogspots and I have seen quite the share of cutesy templates, idealized titles, and an overall committment to conveying a single theme. Needless to say, I feel left out. The feeling reminds me of something out of grade school where all of the other kids have jumped onto to some new playground trend, and I am the naive little kid who is meanwhile content with playing on the monkey bars. I realize I have reached a point in my life where I want to be a part of the larger group (at least to a small extent) instead of always trying to be against it.

Playground trend of my day...anyone remember POGS?

For those who aren't familiar with the antics of Adri, I am a weird person. I have an insane addiction for onions and garlic (I know...poor Justin!). I wear flip flops in the snow (I might add that this winter I chopped wood in flip flops in the snow). I refuse to take medications unless I am on my deathbed. And lastly, I am cheap--I refuse to buy anything new that I can get for 1/10 of the price at the thrift store...clothes, cooking pans, and art that teeters between cool retro and grandma's attic junk (come to think of it, one of my favorite pastimes as a teenager was "dumpster diving" with Mom through the ritzy neighborhoods of Mission Parkway in KCMO...ahh memories...). Anyways, like I was saying, I am a weird person.




So why would I feel the need to conform to convention and have a theme for my blog? The answer is simple. Growing older has made me more insecure about my individuality--which looking back I think I the reason I strived for individualism in my past was more out of lack of self confidence than because of it. Don't get me wrong, this won't be another Adriane self-pity session. But I do realize that I was very shy growing up (although my family will probably attest to me being otherwise) and I think I learned to channel that shyness into self differentiation. For example, when I was about 16 I went to a New Year's dance in Mesa with Brooke, Lindsey, and Sheena (I can't remember if Michelle and Shannon were there too?). While most 16 year olds were probably wearing the latest trends, I chose to wear a black body suit, jeans, high heels, and bright red lava lava with noticeable frays on the edges. Or, another example--when I was 18 I went through a stage of wearing sun dresses with Wellington boots (you know the kind you wear for irrigation?!). All I can say is, "What was I thinking?!!" Anyways, I hoped I have proved my point that I was trying to make like 500 words ago--which is I am anti-convention.

But after growing up, getting married, and taking on crazy new responsibilities, I have learned that not all conventional things are bad. Indeed, I remember Bucky telling me that after I got married, became a house mouse, and had a few kids (especially girls), I would like the color pink. At the time she told me this I was about 16 and I thought she was crazy, because from the age of about 13, I have really detested pink. But guess what, I have to say I actually like pink now--at least the dusty, rosy version of it. Who would of thought?! I guess I should have take my cue from Bucky's experience because she was once considered weird too and (I am guessing) she also prized herself on being un-conventional (I love you sis!).

Okay, okay, so where is all of this going? To quote my favorite teacher from community college, Doug Washer, "BUT I DIGRESS!" (Yes, I have a great weakness for digressing.) So, this is it. I have decided to conform to convention and choose a theme for my blog. If you have endured thus far into my blog, you are probably thinking, "Yeah, you said that in the first sentence!" But for reals, this is a major thing for me--it's like confessing my sins (that is, the sins of anti-conventionalism) to the Catholic priest for the first time...which first-time confessions are always long, emotional, and unclear...so please bear with me.


While the decision to have a theme for my blog seemed clear enough to me, the decision for what kind of theme has been less clear...until Friday that is. This past Friday I was reading over other people's blogs and then I returned to my own to see if there were any new comments to read. As I was looking over the past few entries, I realized I love making lists! Perhaps it is the inner multi-tasker in me, but lists really are the best way that I can convey what I am thinking into a somewhat logical format. So I have decided that the theme for my blog is the "Top 10___(fill in the blank)." Much like David Letterman's top 10 list, I am intending to use this blog as a forum for the most random, most Adri-like lists. This said, I have two disclaimers: 1) the lists may not always be 10 items--for example, lists about great food are bound to be over 10 items and lists about great celebrities are bound to be less, and 2) since this is the only blog I have committed myself to up-keeping, I still have to reserve some space for personal news. So, now that I have disclosed the theme for my blog, here is the first list:

Top 10 Reasons To Have A Theme For Your Blog

#10 Themes are a great remedy against "writers' block." Although many people mistakenly think that complete artistic freedom results in the best, truest writing (or music, or art, or just about anything), the truth is creativity, in any form, thrives from having some boundaries. Minimal as these boundaries may be, they are still necessary--for proof, refer to last week's blog about my struggle with my directionless college assignments.

#9 Themes make you appear smart without necessarily being so. Saying this, I realize I am admitting to this statement. So yes, themes give people (including myself) the appearance of organization, efficiency, and talent. I realize some people actually posses these qualities genuinely, but for the rest of us, themes are a great way to "fake it 'til we make it."


#8 Themes make you appear sophisticated without necessarily being so. This one follows the definition outlined in #9, but perhaps, more so. Having a theme is another way of saying, "You're cool!" Which sophistication and coolness, more so than smarts, is a subjective quality and consequently all about appearances.


#7 Themes are potentially lucrative. This claim is building off of the the previous two claims. A theme that people "buy into" as being smart and sophisticated, has the potential to turn into something bigger and better such as an editorial column in some bigtime newspaper, a TV show, or even a better blog. Which we all know, greater publicity=more money.

#6 Themes are memorable. This could also be phrased, "Themes encourage more publicity." For the benefits of more publicity see #7.

#5 Themed blogs invite other "cool" things such as themed templates, background music (which I am un-decided about), and perhaps a themed alias for myself such as "Lola." It's funny that creating one theme actually results in the creation in more themes (or perhaps sub-themes?).

#4 The use of themes help justify the costs of an education. Okay, so the whole "theme thing" is actually one of the many things you gained through your English classes that you thought would be useless to you after graduation. But reality check, the use of themes is beneficial in real life. For further explanation see #9, #8, and #7, especially.

#3 Themes reassure people in tough times. With all of the present uncertainty in society--the economy, warfare, Miley Cyrus's future--people need things they can depend on. Themed blogs offer just that. As a dependable source of entertainment, blogging consumers know that every time they "tune into" a themed blog they are getting exactly what they expect...I am not sure the same can be said for poor Miley.

#2 Sticking to a themed blog is a great form of exercise. Although I may refute some of the reasoning in #10 (themes are easier to stick to), sticking to a theme is hard work. True most of this work is mental, but some of it is physical. The fidgeting in the computer chair, the constant straightening of one's overly hunched back, and the walking back and forth to the fridge to get more ice cream so as to maintain one's optimum intellectual composure. It seems that the physical activities required to stick to a blogging theme is reason enough to become a "themogger."


#1 Themes are trendy. Okay, this ties into the whole useless conversation I had previously. Themes are a great way to be a part of the greater group--the trendy group, but ALSO maintaining some personal individuality. Thus, I am choosing to have a theme because I haven't resolved my childhood issues of shyness and un-popularity, but the composition of my theme (lists) is a way I can channel my individuality into greater things. In this way, I am giving in to convention so I can be more of an individual (if that makes any sense?!). Anyways, bottom line is: themes are a great way to have the best of both the conventional and un-conventional worlds.

--A

Graduate School?

SO, I have been in a graduate English program with NAU for the last two semesters. Happy to say I have done pretty good so far in my classes and my grades are better than I expected. But to be honest, graduate school has been a REAL challenge for me. Amongst the many weeks of endless writing, reading, writing, reading, writing, and, uh, more writing and reading (Why did I choose English again?!), I have found that school IS hard work! For all those brainiacs who just breeze through school...I envy you! I feel like I have worked my tushie to the bone (is that a real expression?) and I am hoping I finish this degree before I enter the "gray hair" zone--either from age or stress.

To give everyone a little look into this self-inflicted trauma (or should I say drama?)..this week I had three papers due on Wednesday which were supposed to be argumentative essays. Each paper was to utilize a different type of argument--argument by definition, argument by evaluation, and argument by cause--and could be on a topic of my choice. Although this was a pretty simple and straightforward assignment, I STRUGGLED! I just couldn't quite pin point an exact topic for each argument that I felt I could adequately take a position on and effectively argue. For two days, I flip flopped between about a dozen topics in which I would do about 30 min. of research on the internet then decide I didn't know enough about the topic to continue on...what a complete waste of time!

Anyways, by Tuesday evening I only had one paper done and I still hadn't even picked the topics of the other two. Needless to say...I broke down major! My poor husband had to endure about an hour session of "Adriane Self-Pity, Self-Loathing Time." I can recall a few of my sentiments-"I'm not good enough for graduate school...I'm just not smart enough!", "Why can't I just GET this stupid assignment?!!!", "Can't I just time-warp myself to a week from now to avoid this whole thing?!"


Now I don't want to alarm anyone because, thankfully, I did regain my sanity after about an hour of ranting. AND, also thankfully, I did complete those two other papers...at about 9:00 the next morning. While this was one of my more dramatic school experiences, there are a few lessons I want to highlight.


1. Graduate school inflicts its victims with its own brand`of PMS. This said, just like victims of the normal kind of PMS, graduate students need to realize that the cyclical emotions of depression and anxiety ARE normal and WILL eventually pass. They also need to stock themselves with a two-years supply of Kleenex, chocolate, ridiculously stupid movies (this one works on the Yin/Yang principle--a heavy dose of intellectualism is remedied by a heavy dose of stupidity...trust me it really works!), heavy painkillers, and a shirt that says,"BEWARE! Graduate Degree in Process."


2. Pulling an "all-nighter" is never a good idea. Staying up late to do homework usually results in a) bad work, b) bad skin, and 3) a bad academic "hangover" where your brain cannot function normally for about 24 hours. Bottom Line? Getting adequate sleep is one of the most understated secrets in life...Just Do It!


3. Getting a bad grade isn't the end of the world. While I am a definite academic perfectionist, I am coming to realize that grades aren't the most important thing in life. You want to know what is?...Health, Happiness, and a marriage where your husband doesn't fear for his life whenever he asks you a question while you are studying, writing a paper, or just freaking out over some stupid assignment. (I'm sorry Honey!)


In the end, I am grateful for having the opportunity to go to school and further my education. I know it's cheesy, but I do think of all the people in the world (including in this country) who don't have this opportunity, and when I do, I am completely humbled by how blessed I am. I am also grateful that I can indulge my self-pity within the blissful world of blogging...A

La Primavera

A little madness in the Spring

Is wholesome even for the King,

But God be with the Clown —

Who ponders this tremendous scene —

This whole Experiment of Green —

As if it were his own!

--Emily Dickenson

I love springtime! I love the freshness in the air, the busy chirpping of birds, and the budding of new life. This is the time I feel most inspired to start afresh and make new resolutions...to keep the house clean, my lazy bum active, and my outlook on life vibrant...why can't New Year's just be in Spring?!

Although less relevant to birds and buds, springtime also brings such funtimes as April Fool's, Spring break, and, my favorite, the showcase of the local high school musical. On this latter subject I have a few thoughts. This past weekend our local high school put on the show "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" which Justin and I went to go see on opening night. Considering we live in a small, relatively isolated town, I thought the kids did a really good job. Of course it wasn't a Tony performance, but if anything it was upbeat and the few kids who could really act/sing made it worthwhile. After the show, I starting thinking about musicals that high school kids SHOULD NOT put on. Here's the top 5 list I came up with (as you can see I am getting addicted to lists...but oh well):

#5 HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL--Enough already! I feel like the whole HSM phase is like a bad case of acne that just won't disappear. It sounds cute right? Real high school kids re-enacting the love and drama of Disney's new generation of Mouseketeers? WRONG! For all those high schools considering on cashing in on this craze don't do it...for the love of all that is good, DON"T DO IT! Because the original production was, at best, tolerable (if you like that whole Disney-superficial-teenage-popstar thing), any re-make will really be torture. Also, no offense to anybody in high school, but for reals, high school drama it NOT exiciting...musicals are either good when they are about hardcore, people dying for a secret love, kind of drama or when their about feel-good, orphans finding new families, kind ot drama. Nothing in between really works for musical theater. Again, this is a major NO-NO for anyone.

#4 CATS-Although this is probably not a musical most high schools would even consider given the complexity of the costumes, it is still an option and that alone makes it vulnerable to being undertaken by either 1) a really desperate or 2) an overly ambitious high school. Let's just say that brightly colored spandex and furry tails are better left for the professionals and my favorite PBS show from the 80s Zoobilee Zoo (bring back memories anyone?!)

#3 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA-Ahh, another Andrew Lloyd Weber classic. Like Cats, this one is also vulnerable to the overly desperate and/or overly ambitious students of the arts. However, the reasons why this is a NO-NO doesn't have anything to do with costumes; instead, it has to do with talent and sex appeal. First of all, while some Broadway roles can be undertaken by less-than-great talent (or least forgiven for their attempts), the role of Christine is reserved only for the greatest of the great...I have yet to hear a 16 girl hit those Sarah Brightman notes. Second, the Phantom is scary yes, but he is also meant to be extremely sexy in a pompous, social recluse, Mr. Darcy kind of way. For all those sappy Pride and Prejudice addicts out there you know what I mean...trying to cast some Peter Brady for the Phantom is like trying to cast someone other than Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy...it's just not the same.

#2 HAIRSPRAY-Okay, well this might seem like a good option for the high school theater club...great story, lots of dancing, and a re-newed comtemporary appeal. But however shocking this may sound, this story was much better as a movie instead of a musical. Sure the music WAS great in the re-makes (Broadway and Hollywood), but somehow when the focus of the story changed to the music instead of the cheeky, somewhat trashy acting (that was only found in the original), it lost a lot of its charm. Briefly stated, Hairspray is a satire about race, class, and image and is better showcased through the twisted humor of John Waters than on the stage of musical theater. Besides, nobody quite plays Tracey Turnblad and her mom like Rickie Lake and Divine.

#1 RENT--Actually, as a kid I LOVED the music to this musical...I still find myself randomly singing "Five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes...." Then when I grew up I finally realized what the storyline was about--AIDS, inner-city poverty, and homosexual love. Not that these aren't important issues to talk about in society, but somehow I just don't see high school kids pulling this one off. For one thing, I know this musical would NEVER happen in my town (probably better it didn't too!), but also I think that this musical applied to the high school arena would have the same effect as watching self-taught singers/dancers/musicians try out for those talent reality show--ARKWARD--for both the performers and the audience! However, come to think of it, I would really like to see an adaptation of this musical to fit the scene of the struggling to survive artists/musicians in country-bumkin-landia...anyone up to see SHARECROPPER?

--A