all pretentiousness aside

Here’s to starting over. Again.

I left uni and couldn’t get it together enough to think about teaching so I became manager of the arcade I work at.

Then I got bored so I started looking for jobs involving in some way students. Found a day job which should have progressed into a job job, teaching circus skills to kids. That didn’t work either.

Went through two interviews and a dance audition to be a dance instructor. Got the job, went through three weeks of training. Didn’t hear from them. Called, no go. Didn’t want me.

Back to the drawing board. Again.

I want to meet you, Joss Whedon.

I just found out that Mr Whedon recreated ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and I nearly cried with happiness. Then, ten seconds later, found out that it isn’t coming to Australia. Where I live. WHY.

Joss Whedon is my… Not idol, I think he’d be offended by that…Joss Whedon is a creative god. And I’m fangirling, but does anyone deserve it more? Lets make a list (because they are awesome)

Things Joss teaches us:
1. You absolutely don’t need a man to help you. This shouldn’t still be a ‘thing’ so this alone gets him twelve thumbs up.
2. While it’s awesome to be optimistic, there is always going to be butt heads in the world. So rather than ignoring/ wishing for it to be different, affect the change. And be prepared for the consequences.
3. Loyal friends are the only friends you should ever have. In return, be loyal to them.
4. A hero is just a label, like everything else. There are no villains, just people.
5. Things are not always as they seem, so be wary and remember that everyone has a story.

And finally:

6. There are many types of beauty in the world, but there are none like you. You are beautiful, wonderful and smart. And that is perfect.

My life’s mission is to shake your hand lovely Whedon, because while it’s predictable that your shows will be cancelled/ cut and always one season too short, I think that stigma of ‘geekfans’ that surround your work is entirely misleading. You promote self awareness and accountability, and will always have a special place in my (and so many million other’s) hearts.

And in my classroom.

Tagged: Joss WhedonMuch Ado About NothingJoss Appreciation

Les Miserables aka “Next Minute- Russel Crowe”

Les Miserables, directed by Tom Hooper, was without a doubt one of the most looked forward to movies of 2012. Whether this lead to an over hyped expectation (before the movie was even released), or the promise of the box-office busting cast it boasted, Les Mis was mediocre at best.

Turning something with such a dedicated fan base as Les Mis into a Hollywood movie is not something for the faint of heart. And with a cast list that cites Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Russel Crow, Sascha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter, I don’t think it’s out of line for movie goers to expect a lot. Anne Hathway, without a doubt, delivered the best performance of her career to date, but it was definitely the non-startlets that carried the show. Hugh Jackman in the role of Jean Valjean was entirely underwhelming. Considering his natural ruggedness, Jackman should have been the perfect choice for the powerful yet heart wrenching character, but Valjean seemed to quell under more powerful voices. Seyfried (Cosette) was a perfect fit for the role, as was Eddie Redmayne (Marius) and Samantha Barks pulled out another heart felt performance of Eponine. Everything on paper adds up to a great movie- everything but the unexpected Crowe.

How did Russel Crowe get cast in this movie? Norm Lewis of the 25th anniversary could have played this part 10 times over. Apart form the obvious (this is a musical please cast people that can sing), I didn’t realise Javert was Australian. How it is possible I don’t know, but Crowe over-played the character of a surly soldier. Dude, he’s surly. Just look grumpy. You could feel the audience cringe and shift uncomfortably every time Crowe appeared, and that’s what he kept doing. Just appearing. Boo.

While Les Miserables underwhelmed the senses, it at least can be a brilliant drinking game. Shot. Russel Crowe.

Tagged: Les MiserablesHugh JackmanRussel CroweAnne Hathaway2012 movie