The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I was lucky enough to get (free) tickets to go see and advanced screen of The Perks of Being a Wallflower tonight. I read the book this summer and to say I was moved would be an understatement. I was in a really bad place and it flipped things on its head for me in a lot of ways. So, needless to say, I was so excited for the movie. Especially because the screenplay was written by the author and it was directed by the author. So I couldn't see how it would be bad.

I wasn't wrong. Don't worry, I'm not going to post any spoilers. But the fact that I feel like I've just run a marathon, that I've been through emotional hell, but yet feel optimistic at the same time should say a lot. It was exactly the same way I felt after reading the book. Clouds have been parted and I can see the light, so to speak. It feels like this 5000 pound weight has been lifted off of my chest, shoulders and head and I can breathe. I can move. My doubt is gone. Everything is okay.

And to make it even better, the casting was perfect. It was like Chbosky took the characters from my imagination and threw them onto the screen for me. Ezra Miller as Patrick was especially just stellar. And Paul Rudd as Mr. Anderson. As soon as I saw him I went "OH MY GOD YES" because it was just right.

Basically, what I'm saying is please, please do yourself a favour and go see The Perks of Being a Wallflower. You will not regret it.

University Student

Obviously I don't use this blog much. It's only purpose is to exist in case I want to write something down so that I remember it in the future. This is one of those times.

Dylan and I went to the U of A campus today. It was the first time I'd been there since getting accepted, and the first time I explored more than just HUB mall and the Timms Centre. We go lost trying to find the Cameron Library so I could get my ONE Card, and in doing so discovered some absolutely gorgeous buildings and spaces.

The Arts building, for instance, look reminiscent of a castle. It's made out of stone and brick, and the inside is plastered with fake marble that doesn't really look fake. It is beautiful. I was in awe. Even the Fine Arts Building - which is basically concrete and bricks - has its own beauty to it. And I can not wait to start my journey there.

Mid June?

Where has June gone? It's already halfway through the month and I just...don't understand how that happened. *flails* Which means its almost been a month since I last blogged. *facedesk* Whoops.

The past month has...well, flown. I've been working a lot at the college - I got a job there as the summer technician, so I've been working a lot of high school band shows and dance recitals. Now that those are done I'll be doing a lot of maintenance....including organizing the props loft. Oy vey. It's gonna be a big job, I tells ya. But it'll be worth it to look so amazing. *brushes off shoulders*

Other than work, I've really just...been letting life pass me by. Which is awful awful awful, but that's what happens when you don't have enough money to go do fun things. I did go see The Avengers though - AND OMG IT WAS AMAZING. I NEED THIS MOVIE TO BE MINE. SO GOOD.

It's inspired me to start reading super hero graphic novels I haven't actually read any since Marvel 1602, which I mentioned in my last post, but it was really good! And I think it'd be better if I knew more about all of the characters. So that needs to happen. But I really do think I need to finish Storm of Swords before I finish anything else. Even if I did just buy Graceling. Storm of Swords is just...getting so good! I can tell I'm almost to the climax, which means its getting hard to put down, but I'm having this problem where I'm terrified to keep reading because of what I fear is going to happen. Kayla isn't helping with her looks when I tell her where I am. But I think she's just so excited to talk about it soon that she can't help herself.

I am also really addicted to Dragon Age: Origins right now. It is ALL HEATHER'S FAULT. She got it for my for Christmas and I just...addicted. Though I did choose to do the Orzammar quest, so I may be stalled for a while. :P That's what happened the first time I played it. (Note: I finished the game the first time and immediately started to reply it. I miss my Elvish Magi, but I like the backstory of the Human Noble better.) I am completely in love with Alastair. He is just...sweet and adorable and I want to hug him until everything is Alastair and nothing hurts. When he gave me the rose...and then later he kissed me...oh god I died. And now he talks to my companions/my companions talk to him about me all the time when he's in the party and it is is just so beautiful. Be still, my heart. #fangirlwoes

Heather showed me this amazing Alastair/Zevran fanfic the other night...suffice to say I devoured it. It was PERFECT, guys. The author had the characterizations down pat, and I just....ahhhhhh soooo goooood. Seriously, if you've played this game, gtfo my blog and go read it. Because I can not compete with the brilliance.

Happy Happy Happy

I've been meaning to blog for a while now, but to be honest, I only remember when I'm not around my computer. Whoops.

I have had some really great news since I blogged last - I got into the U of A! I got the email two weeks ago tomorrow, and I completely freaked out. I was shaking and just about couldn't function for about an hour. It was such a surprise, especially because I didn't need to do an interview (which, honestly, is a relief. Interviews are so nerve racking!) So Dylan and I are officially moving up to Edmonton come August! Whooooo!

I also got a job as the summer theatre technician at the college, which I start on Tuesday. I couldn't be more happy! I get to work at what I love while making money. Yay!

So lots of happy. There's been a lot of stress up until now about finding a job, but now that I have one I'm just so happy. I also just got back from the library, where I came home with four graphic novels (The Last Temptation, The Books of Magic and Creatures of the Night all by Neil Gaiman, and Arkham Asylum) and the Pride and Prejudice mini series. Kayla and I also went to Chapters and I got Marvel 1602 (also by Neil Gaiman) which I'm so excited to read! It's a great start to my superhero education.

So I am just a super happy camper right now! I have a great weekend to look forward to - Dylan and I are going to go to the Farmers Market on Saturday and then I'm going to the Calgary Zoo with Randy and Kale on Sunday. So that will be just wonderful. And in the mean time, lots of reading! But first, (500) Days of Summer, because it's just one of those days and it's been too long.

Calgary Comic Expo 2012

This past weekend I went to the Calgary Comic Expo with Kayla and Maxine, and man it was totally rad. Friday was probably the best day, just because there were so few people there and we could actually move. We spent the entire time in the vendor room, spending our monies, but still, it was probably the best.

There is only one reason was Saturday might have been better. And that is quite simply, James and Oliver Phelps.

I met them, see? See? Well, kind of. I got a picture with them. And had my arm around James for a total of like...a minute and a half. And he had his arm around me. And said hi to me. And asked me how my day was going. In his beautiful, beautiful accent. His sweater was so soft. Sigh.

I also got Kate Beaton to sign "Hark! A Vagrant" and she drew me a Mr. Darcy and an Elizabeth! Besides the James and Oliver picture, it is my favourite thing from the Expo. I just. Agh. <3

We went and saw Adam Baldwin's panel with Zach, though we got separated from Kayla because it was so full in the room, and she was the only one who got a real seat. (Maxine, Zach and I stood at the back.) Adam Baldwin is so funny! I just, ahhhhh. So good! I went and got his autograph on Sunday, and he's also super nice. He asks everyone what their name is, instead of reading it off of the little paper, and he asks what you do and starts up a little conversation with you. It makes you feel like a real person to him, rather than just a fan. It was really really nice. And he actually looked at me when he signed, rather than just staring at the picture and shoving it at me. (We talked briefly about "Twelfth Night" and it's steampunky-ness. He loved the idea!)

Sunday was okay. There were so many people it was actually kind icky trying to move. Kayla and I tried to get an autograph from James and Oliver, but gave up because of the craziness, and I decided to go get Adam Baldwin's instead. I also got the author of Kill Shakespeare to sign my copy of the first volume - he was really excited and nice too! So yay!

It was overall a really fantastic weekend, I got to see Patrick Stewart in the flesh, and James Marsters and Amanda Tapping. It was wonderful and nerdy and just great.

James and Oliver Phelps

So I am going to be doing a Calgary Expo write up later this week, once I am recovered and such, but I want to write about one thing in particular while it's fresh in my mind.

I met James and Oliver Phelps today.

I stood in line for a total of two hours in order to get this beautiful, beautiful picture with my two friends and James and Oliver. My feet ached, my backpack felt like it had a ton of bricks in it, but you know what, it was so so worth it.

Seeing them from afar was just amazing. But then James (I think) talked to me - just normal stuff, saying hi, asking how I was, and put his arm around me for the picture (his sweater was so soft!) and I think I died. His accent is even more beautiful in person. And I just....ahhhhhh. <3

I was shaking so badly after, my heart was pounding. I can honestly say I've never felt that before. Not when I met Darren Criss (though I was a bit shaky), or when I met Evanna.

Ah, fangirlism. You're beautiful.

The Final Day

I'm back at the HPA!

I officially returned on the 20th, and it's so amazing to be back working with such a fantastic group of people. You know how I said I didn't really miss it a few posts back? Well, I didn't really feel like I missed it until about a week ago. So now I'm back! Whooooo!

Yesterday was also my final hurrah at school. We had our design presentations for our final one act designs, which was kind of relief to finally do so I could stop thinking about it.

"Waiting" final model! 

My "Waiting" costume renderings! I'm so happy with the final products.

Later we had a potluck at Carrie's, which was just absolutely fantastic. Not everyone could come, which was kind of cruddy, but we had a lot of fun. We basically just sat out on her front porch (it was soooo nice out yesterday, it felt like summer), ate some yummy food and shot the shit for a few hours. Lauren, Dylan, Ben and I stayed really quite late, and we eventually moved in to Carrie's living room and it was just awesome. I can't explain it any other way. We drank and talked about politics and school and it was just...awesome.

Yesterday could be the last day I see some of my classmates, which is really weird to think of. We spent basically two whole years together, almost 24/7. It's just...so weird. I may never work another Mainstage show. I probably won't work another one with my classmates. It's sad. The past two years have been such a roller coaster ride, and it really feels like it's been longer than two years. The TENT program has made me into such a better person, a more complete person.