Sketch Challenge Entry: Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 131

When I saw the challenge for this week posted on the sweetest thing's blog, I decided to take on the challenge.

Recently, I was given a bunch of metal key embellishments, so they've been appearing in many of my designs lately. They're pretty fun, and I thought this one would make an interesting accent in place of buttons or brads.

The notebook-looking background is actually embossed using one of Tim Holtz's texture fade embossing folders, which I distressed. The stamp is also a Tim Holtz product - part of his Stamper's Anonymous cling mount rubber stamps collection. I love the sentiment. I added Glossy Accents to the word "imagine," because it stood out to me in this quote.

Well, there you go - my entry into Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 131 (SSSC131). Let me know what you think.

Growing Up

I just got back from my lunch break. Today was my oldest's first elementary school field trip. Actually, it's a day of "firsts": first time going to school for a full day, first time on a school bus, first time on a field trip without one of us.

I had to work today, since it's Easter this weekend - lots of preparation going on at the church today. But my boss and coworkers were totally cool with me taking a longer lunch, so I met up with his class at the park to eat lunch.

While there, I observed several things: 1) being a kindergarten teacher takes a special gift - a gift which I do not possess; 2) my kid loves his teacher and classmates; 3) suddenly, my baby has become a kid.

My son is becoming more independent. It makes me happy and sad. I hope we're doing a good job raising him...regardless, he's growing up.

Five Reasons NBC Should “Save Chuck”

Hello, my name is Melissa, and I am a Chuck-addict.

I was not among the original fans of the show; instead, I was turned onto it by GMMR-in-chief, Kath, who suggested I check it out. Thanks to my local public library, I was able to borrow the first three seasons on DVD. It was a painless way to get hooked, and I am, indeed, hooked on Mr. Chuck Bartowski and his crew. Don’t worry, NBC; I plan on buying every season for my own collection, so I can watch it all again. I fully intend to turn my hubby into an addict once he graduates. Yeah, I’m a pusher.

I remember when, during the first season of Chuck, NBC threatened to ax it from the lineup. I remember “Save Chuck” was everywhere – even on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart (who is, himself, extremely awesome) tossed in a plea to “Save Chuck” during a couple of shows. NBC listened (for once) to its viewers and saved the show. It seems like every season, Chuck is on the brink of cancellation only to be renewed in the 11th hour, much to the relief of fans worldwide. (I’m assuming the fans are worldwide; if not, they should be.) This brings up an interesting question: why is NBC renewing crap shows like Parenthood and Law & Order (and all its inbred grandchildren), apparently without a second thought, while leaving Chuck fans in fear of losing one of the few shows that keep them tuned to NBC. Perfect Couples, Outsourced, Community, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Chuck are the shows that have coveted “Season PASS” status on my dvr. Literally, those five shows, out of all of NBC’s programming, are the only NBC shows I watch on a regular basis.

So, NBC, aside from keeping this viewer happy, here are five reasons you need to bring Chuck back for a fifth season. Really, I could have made this list a lot longer, but I figured five was enough to make my point. Anything more might be considered overkill.

1. Zachary Levi is brilliant.

I am obsessed with Zachary Levi. Don’t worry; my husband knows. He’s the one who called me out on it. I couldn’t really argue. Here’s the thing about Zac: he is extraordinarily talented, but incredibly humble. He brings Chuck to life in a way that no other actor could do. It has something, I’m sure, to do with the fact that Chuck and Zac are both self-proclaimed nerds. That, however, can only take an actor so far – at some point, the actor’s skill and the writers understanding of how to use the actor’s skills must align. This is essential in turning a character into a beloved part of pop culture. Zac and the crew of Chuck hit that point at about episode five. The writers have done an excellent job of writing for Zac’s strengths – all they need to do is write a musical episode, and we’ll be good.

Chuck is a complex character. He is, of course, smart and tech-savvy, but he is also a character with great heart and humility. He is willing to do what it takes for his family, his friends, the woman he loves, his country, and usually ends up doing things that put himself last. All the while, he is character that makes us believe that, if duty called, even we could be heroes.

Zac brings an honesty to Chuck that we wouldn’t necessarily expect from a character that, really, is very special. He keeps the character grounded in reality – no matter the spy gig, butt-kicking, Volkoff-taking-down-genius-planning, we believe Chuck as the guy next door. Often, tense moments in the shows are lightened by a funny expression on Chuck's face, or a brilliantly-delivered one-liner that makes the watcher, forgive me, chuckle. In an industry where actors can get complacent in their characters and "phone it in" (I'm looking at you, David Caruso - how does that guy still have a job?), Zac continues to develop Chuck into a multidimensional character as the show progresses.

2. Ellie & Awesome are…well, awesome.

Ellie and Awesome. I can really identify with Ellie - she is truly the "normal" in the midst of the hectic, secretive, dangerous, and risky plotlines of Chuck. Ellie and Awesome represent Chuck’s roots – they keep him grounded when his life seems a little too much like an action movie. The Awesomes (yeah, that’s what I call them) get married and have a baby, all while the rest of the gang is trying to bring down an international crime lord. The genius of this juxtaposition, and the brilliant ways in which Sarah Lancaster and Ryan McPartlin bring their characters to life, add the dimension of reality to Chuck.

3. The rest of the cast keep the storylines balanced.

Sarah, Casey and The General continually push Chuck to move beyond his comfort zone. They challenge him, typically underestimate him, protect him and guide him as he navigates the tricky double life of a spy.

Sarah: The romantic relationship between Chuck & Sarah has moved from fake to real over the course of four seasons; the writers have done a great job of showing the human side of Sarah Walker – her insecurities and fears allow the watcher to finally identify with this special lady. Regardless of our own ability (or lack thereof) to kick booty, we have all felt like hyperventilating in a roomful of relatives. Even though Sarah kicks butt & looks amazing, the relationship between the two characters isn't perfect - they have arguments, miscommunication, moments of doubt, and in the end, they show us that no relationship is perfect all the time. Yvonne Strahovski is excellent at bringing vulnerability and strength to Sarah.

Casey: Ah, Casey. He’s a little bit scary. Casey is fully and intensely devoted to country, guns and Ronald Reagan. The country-devotion is extremely admirable. The guns-devotion is scary. His level of Reagan-fervor is, well…it’s creepy. Adam Baldwin’s ability to make Casey communicate in large part via growling grunts and death-glares is wonderful, and actually very funny, especially since he’s not grunting or glaring directly at me. The current season’s addition of Casey’s long-lost daughter (and her new relationship with Morgan) has provided an interesting twist – suddenly, Casey seems like a real human being, rather than a government-programmed cyborg.

The General: she’s just good fun. She’s sort of like the principal of Chuck School – she keeps everyone in line, and runs a tight ship. Whenever she shows up in person, and stands anywhere near Chuck, the watcher just has to giggle a little at the expansive height difference between Bonita Friedericy and Zachary Levi. Plus, she’s a redhead, which is awesome.

Morgan Grimes and the Buy More crew keep Chuck grounded in reality, and usually provide the comic relief during the tense moments of the show.

Morgan: I heart Morgan. I think he is hysterical, and I love how much he loves his friends. Once again, the writers have really scored with this character – they have allowed Morgan to continue being Chuck’s best friend, confidant, brother-from-another-mother (wow, that’s lame) and sidekick. One compelling reason for a fifth season: Morgan as Chuck’s best man. Think of the opportunities for the writers – the bachelor party, the best man toast, Morgan losing the ring…the possibilities are extensive. Joshua Gomez is wonderful – his comedic timing and heart come through in every performance.

The Buy More crew: Jeffster’s musical performances are better than any bland background music. Both Jeff and Lester are just the right amount of creepy and crazy; they are absolutely hilarious and shameless and I love it. Big Mike is great – I love that he’s on his way to becoming a father-figure to Morgan…both literally and figuratively. Bringing him back as Morgan’s assistant manager was a stroke of genius.

4. The writing and visual effects are outstanding.

The crew of Chuck puts a lot of work into creating a high-tech world of international espionage that is both believable and unbelievable. It’s a fine balance, but these guys are up to the challenge, and they deliver. Repeatedly. The cool technology and technological concepts that show up in every episode are tools used by the writers and actors to create the world of Chuck, and the watcher feels like a part of that world each week.

The writers behind Chuck are amazing. They have such a good grasp of each character’s personality, motivations, idiosyncrasies, and what each actor brings to his or her character; the lines feel natural, the plot rarely feels forced or dragged. The writers, like the effects crew, walk the tightrope of believable/unbelievable every week, and they nearly always maintain their balance. As someone who dabbles in writing, it is inspiring to see a group of professionals who really know their craft. Given the amount of poor writing on television today (i.e., scripted “reality” shows), it really is a gift to see well-written scripts brought to life.

5. Really, what else is worth watching on NBC right now?

I was a huge fan of The Office, but my enthusiasm for the show has petered out over the past few seasons. In fact, last season I recorded every episode, but didn’t begin watching it until the summer. I got through the wedding episode, and deleted the rest of the season without even watching. I just wasn’t invested in the show anymore – I had lost the connection to the characters, and I didn’t feel the writing was all that brilliant any more.

I’ve never gotten into Parks and Recreation or 30 Rock or Parenthood. I tried; really, I did. An episode or two, and I just wasn’t hooked. Community, Outsourced and Perfect Couples are brilliant; if NBC execs are paying attention, they will renew all three of these comedies next season without thinking twice.

Jimmy Fallon is the saving grace of NBC’s late night programming, especially since NBC screwed Conan in favor of “Lame Leno” (my own nickname for him). Yeah, that’s right; I called you out on that one. What you did was wrong, and you know it. Let’s just get that out there so we can move on.

And that’s it. There is nothing else on NBC that I feel is worth watching. Really, NBC, if you don’t give Chuck fans a fifth season, what will you replace it with? Another show like The Cape? How about Chase? Both of those have really been winners…not. It’s difficult to pull in viewers these days – Fox has been busy building clever shows, ABC is beginning to pull together solid programming, and basic cable channels are giving you all a run for your money. Don’t pull a fan-favorite like Chuck when it has hit its stride.

Listen, I’ve been to Comic-Con; I was at the Chuck panel last year, and I can tell you, these fans are fiercely devoted to this show, and it is borderline scary to think about how much free time some of them have. Combining the power of fanatics and Twitter is a risky concoction. Please listen to the many fans who have begged and pleaded for this show. Please remember the first rule of marketing: it is easier and more cost-effective to keep current customers than to try to win over new customers. (The second rule is, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.)

Be Still My Drum-Like Beating Heart (Plain White T's, Part 2)

[author note: my wretched phone's camera sucks, so please forgive the terrible quality of the photos. boo.]

Finally, the date of the concert arrived. Colorado, along with two-thirds of the country, found itself suffering arctic cold and ice. The weather forecasters were calling for extreme subzero temperatures during the coming week. I was afraid that my date with PWTS would be cancelled. All day, I checked Twitter, sure the guys would post any cancellation news there first. It was Tim who finally posted a tweet about the cold Denver weather. I pounced on the tweet, asking if the band would be playing for sure. His response (yeah, he responded!) was, “Of course.” Yes! My date was still on! I waited impatiently for my hubby to come home and scarf dinner, so we could make the trek to Denver.

Stage Set

The concert opened with a band called Miggs, who were high-energy, pick-flicking bundles of fun. Their music was good, and I could see how they fit in on this tour. The next act was Parachute. I had heard of Parachute, and realized as they played that I had heard their music without knowing the band’s name. They were great – we loved the combination of piano-guitar-drums-bass-sax, and the vocals were amazing. The songs were fabulous.

Parachute

More Parachute

Finally, it was time. I had finagled my way as near to the stage as possible – about four people separated me from the T’s...although, all four people were taller than me, so that sucked. Still, I could see between their heads, so woo-hoo! They took the stage, the opening chords of “Irrational Anthem” blared through the speakers, and my heart filled with joy. There’s something about hearing music performed live, with passion and energy and love, that brings a connection to the artist and the music that a recording, however amazing it may be, lacks.

Tim (I took this for my kiddo; as a concession for not bringing him to see his favorite band,
I promised to take a picture of his favorite singer.)

The crew (my camera couldn't get them all in one shot)

The T’s played a combination of new and old music; I had been so obsessed with Wonders, I hadn’t bothered to check out any of their other music. Of course, I knew “Delilah”, "Hate" and “1, 2, 3, 4”, but the guys played some songs I had never heard before. They played “Boomerang”, “Welcome to Mystery”, “Last Breath” and “Cirque dans la rue” (one of my favorites) from Wonders. “Revenge”, “Radios in Heaven” and others rounded out the amazing range of this band’s talent. As my hubby, who hadn’t yet heard Wonders, with the exception of “Rhythm of Love”, put it, “I had no idea they were so much more than just a couple of guys with guitars!”

"Pledge allegiance; everybody stand up! This is our 'Irrational Anthem'!"

So, after the guys played “Our Song”, Tim said he was going to play “his song”. I had seen interviews with Tim in which he talked about writing “Rhythm” for an ex-girlfriend. Tonight, “his song” turned out to be a song called “Sunlight”, which he had written for his ex-wife. Tim said, seemingly abashed for some reason, that “she pretty much ruined my life.” He commented that he had written the song during some dark days, but that, even though things weren’t going well, he had written the song from a hopeful perspective. And then he played. Now, I’m probably biased, since Tim is my favorite T (although I dig them all), but listening to the song turned my admiration for ‘Bropez’ into full-on awe. He’s shied away from singing lead vocals until “Rhythm,” and on this tour, the T’s decided to put a few more lead vox on his shoulders. Brilliant. The song is beautiful, the lyrics heart-wrenching in their soul-baring honesty; his performance was authentic, and surprisingly tender, given the circumstances under which he wrote the song.

This is actually during 'Rhythm of Love'.

Another cool moment: the band left the stage near the end of the concert, and the stage lights went out. Suddenly, Tom was on a platform behind us, in the middle of the theater. He played a stripped down rendition of “Delilah”, and we all sang along with him. It’s pretty incredible to hear a theater-full of people singing a song together, accompanied only by an acoustic guitar. Tom made his way back to the stage, and the rest of the T’s joined him to close out the show with “Wonders of the Younger”.

'Hey There Delilah'

And that was it. Although we had been there for hours, and the T’s had certainly delivered, playing a ton of music, I still felt bereft. They hadn’t played “Body Parts”, which is my favorite song on Wonders. They hadn’t played “Map of the World”. They couldn’t be done!

They were. Once the urge to weep had passed, and we were on our way home, I realized that I had witnessed something only those who attend live performances witness: artistic greatness. Plain White T’s had been firmly entrenched in my musical heart. These guys, all five of them, are stellar performers who perform full-out, with energy and heart.

Blacklit carnival scene on the stage background

Obsession Confession (Plain White T's, Part 1)

A few years ago, when “Hey There Delilah” was in heavy rotation on the radio, I remember singing along like everyone else. My sister would sing it to my new baby, and he would coo and giggle. I remember watching the Red Carpet specials for the Grammys the year the song was nominated, when Tom Higgenson (although I didn’t know his name at the time) brought the Delilah for whom he wrote the song as his date. The Red Carpet interviewers made a big deal about Delilah’s presence, and she made it a point to clarify that she wasn’t there as Higgenson’s girlfriend. I don’t know if I even knew the band’s name, but I do remember thinking, “Dang, Delilah – the dude wrote you a Grammy-worthy song…what is wrong with you? Lock that down, girl!”

Fast-forward to one morning in November, 2010. I was getting ready for work, and had VH1’s Jumpstart on for background noise. Suddenly, I heard the intro to a song that literally stopped me in my tracks. Mascara wand in hand, my eyes were glued to the screen as “Rhythm of Love” entranced me with its mellow, upbeat acoustic guitar-centered song. Before the song was even finished, I had rewound live tv so I could record the video to my dvr. And thus began my obsession with the Plain White T’s.

Over the course of the next month, I listened to that song repeatedly, having bought it on iTunes as soon as it was available. My five year old son was equally obsessed, asking me to replay the song as soon as it had finished playing, and the two of us sang the song together, word-for-word. I followed the band on Twitter, became a fan on Facebook, and waited impatiently for their new album’s release. I had a gift card in my iTunes account, and earmarked a good chunk of it to purchasing the entire album.

Finally, the day came – I downloaded Wonders of the Younger, and listened to nearly nothing else for a full two months. Wonders of the Younger is like the audio interpretation of Tim Holtz’s designs – it is vintage, off-beat, circus-freak show, creepy-carnival-evoking, fantasy-igniting, creativity-inspiring.

After the first listen, my head was filled with ideas for music videos, films, books – all centered around this unique album. Each song stands on its own, but the songs fit together and create a world in which so-called “freaks” are normal. Is it strange to befriend a bearded lady, party with carnies, walk the plank of a pirate ship, pillage a village, share rose-scented kisses? Not in this world.

PWTS released their touring schedule for Wonders, and as part of my Christmas present, my husband (who tolerates my weird obsessions with random things/people/music/etc. with extremely good grace, although he usually wears a “you are ridiculous but I love you anyways” expression) bought us tickets to their Denver show. Meanwhile, I couldn’t stop listening to Wonders. By the date of the concert, I had every song memorized, knew which song was which simply by the intro, and could be found humming songs from the album under my breath nearly 24/7.

[to be continued]

It's 2011? Already?

I can't believe I have to start writing '2011' on everything. The last decade has gone by so quickly, and was packed with changes in my life.

In 10 years, I:

• graduated from college
• got married
• bought a house. Became a landlord, and bought another house.
• became self-employed.
• had a kid. *truelove*
• had another kid. *truelove*
• went to my 10 year high school reunion. *yikes*
• traveled to a bunch of rad places with family and friends.
• turned 30. *boo*
• became employed by someone other than myself.
• and so much more.

2011 brings a year of milestones:

• 10 years since college.
• 10 years of being married to my love.
• my love graduates with his MBA.

These milestones are pretty significant, and I've decided that this year's resolutions should reflect the same significance. So, here are my resolutions for 2011:

• to finish one of the four novels I've started. That's right - I've started four novels, and not one is even a complete first draft. This year, I need to get one to the point where it can be read and revised...like a real book.
• to continue the agonizing important trips to the gym. Upcoming family vacations will require time in a bathing suit, and after two kids, let's just say me in a bikini is currently not on any list of lovely things. I need to keep working on my fitness.
• create a portfolio of writing work. This is the resolution I'm most nervous to work on, because the portfolio will be part of my application to graduate school. Honestly, I haven't even totally decided on school again, but if I do apply, I'll need to be ready.

So, that's it. The desire to do something of significance is stirring, and so far, this is what I got. We'll see how long the resolutions hold.

Happy New Year! Here's to a great start to a new decade, which will undoubtedly be filled with amazing adventures!

New Cards & Tag

Inspired by Tim Holtz (and created with many of the items from his papercrafting line!)