So....I've been a little bit quiet around the blogosphere lately (which to be fair is not unusual these days). In the midst of all the teaching drama I posted about last time I was dealing with some personal drama as well that I wasn't ready to post about at the time. So. Some of you know that for the past almost ten years I've been dating Sejoon. Well, a few weeks ago we decided to end things. I'm not really going to talk much about it in detail, but it was a good decision for both of us and I think we called it at the right moment so it ended on a good note.
On the upside, entering the dating world has not been nearly as terrifying as I'd thought for all these years, and I'm actually having a lot of fun with it. Not that I'm ready to settle down by any means, but at least I know I'm capable of meeting new people and it not being terrible. And I'm used to being alone since he traveled so long this year so I'm more used to spending time alone than the average person at the end of a breakup. It's been pretty up and down for me, but most days I'm happy.
The stress has definitely meant I've fallen back on rereading books rather than reading new books for the most part (although I did buy Children of Blood and Bone. I mean have you seen the front cover?? IRRESISTABLE) Juliet Marillier's Sevenwater series is one of my go tos and has been getting me through the last couple weeks. If you haven't read any of her books, Marillier has really beautiful writing and Daughter of the Forest is a wonderful place to start.
Dramafever is no longer on Playstation anymore (WHYYYYY. This would have been the one time I actually have time to watch Kdramas!!!), so in the meantime here's what I've been catching up on:
Parks and Rec - I mean, let's be real. I never seem to put this show down for more than a couple of months it is my ULTIMATE form of comfort. I always start on Season 2 episode 23 because what's the point in watching the show pre-Ben Wyatt?
Velvet - I've mentioned the show before, but I am soooo slow at watching subtitled things. (That are not K-dramas because I can't STOP watching those). This show is beautiful, but I do tend to get stressed out when there's too much romantic drama. Which is....basically most of the show other than fashionable dresses...hence me still watching this show a year later haha.
Queer Eye - I do not want to know any secret behind the scenes terribleness about this show ever because I LOVE IT SO MUCH. I cry every episode, it's so freaking inspiring and beautiful and if you are not watching this, you NEED TO. I'd say this was a guilty pleasure but I a unashamed of how much I adore this series.
Longmire - Ohhhh this last season is so good. And the soundtrack is so on point! I haven't finished yet, but I must be at least 2/3 of the way through now and there hasn't been a dud episode yet. I am going to miss these characters so much when this is all over.
Top three songs I can't stop listening to:
There's also a "flipped" version of this that sounds more like Broken Bells and I freaking love them both.
I know this is old, but I went on a big nostalgia kick and I hadn't heard the acoustic version before. I feel like most singers in this genre don't fare well on acoustic versions, but Brent Smith has great vocals.
This is from the first episode of season 6 from Longmire and I am obsessed.
Ahhh I love this week's prompt! As any of my regular readers know, I watch a lot of foreign things (namely anime and Korean dramas). Soooo I had to limit myself. I'm sticking to live action only, and preferably things that are completed and not super well known (hence no Doctor Who or Sherlock).
This is my all time favourite Korean drama OF ALL TIME. It features some of my favourite tropes (namely gender bending), and has probably my favourite actor ever: Gong Yoo. Yes, he's gorgeous which doesn't hurt - but he's also one of the most genuine actors I've seen on screen. The show also has a great sound track and features probably my favourite scene of all time. (For those of you who've watched it - the beach scene.) I feel like this is a lot of people's first K-Dramas (it was mine too), and it ranks a favourite with pretty mucheveryone I know who has seen it.
So we all know about a little show called Doctor Who, right? Well, for those of you who don't know, there was a spin-off of the show where we follow a fan favourite - Captain Jack Harkness. Guys, I loved this show. It's much more adult and dark than Doctor Who - Doctor Who has a lot of innocence and wonder to it which is one of the reasons I really loved it. Torchwood dealt a lot more with the consequences and aftermath - in that sense it's a bit of the Agents of SHIELD to the Marvel Universe movie. It's also completely soul crushing. Like...like guys....I can not possibly describe to you how soul crushing it can be. But it has such a great cast of characters - all super flawed in their own ways and it makes them so, so human. And of course I'm always a fan of any show that has a bisexual character at all, let alone as a main character, super let alone a male bisexual character!
This may be one of the best shows I've ever seen. In fact I'd go so far to say that there is a chance A CHANCE that I like it even more than Coffee Prince. Which would be blasphemy to say, but that's how much I loved this show. It has a large ensemble cast and I don't think I've ever loved a cast so much. I seriously loved every single character - even ones I thought there was NO WAY I would like. The acting is phenomenal and the script is great (which is unsurprising, seeing as it's the writer/director from I Can Hear Your Voice which was also amazing, but since I have limited space here I could only choose one to feature). And one of my favourite aspects of this show is that the romance takes a back seat to everything else going on for a good portion it, and that the guy isn't an asshole/alpha dude the way most guys are in K-Dramas. (I mean, I love them, but it's not to say they aren't problematic)
This show is so fun! It's really caught on lately (thank god! I was worried is was going to be cancelled a while back!) so I'm sure many of you know this one. It's set in 1920's/30's Australia so there's an interesting dichotomy in class and race that you see. I feel like a lot of US movies set in that era focus on all the glamour of the era and really gloss over the awkward transition a lot of countries were going through (particularly where nobility/class is concerned and because it's in between the two world wars). This is a cozy murder mystery series where we follow the glamorous, head strong, progressive Phryne Fisher as she solves crimes. We also get some sparks with the head detective, and of course my ever-favourite Dot, who works as her maid. Basically this show is fun, shippy, and has GORGEOUS costuming and scenery.
Speaking of beautiful clothing, I would be remiss if I didn't mention this show. The fashion in the show is just...incomparable. IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL I WANT TO WEAR EVERYTHING. (Not that I don't also want to wear all of Phryne's clothes) It's basically like Mad Men meets Downton Abbey. So if you like either of those shows this is definitely up your alley. Most people are in it for the main couple, but for me it's the rest of the cast that make this show for me. And if 1950's Madrid does not sound like an interesting setting to you, we clearly can not watch TV together.
This is a miniseries that's based on the novel written by Elizabeth Gaskell. I am going to say something extremely blasphemous right now: this is a better love story than Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. There. I SAID IT. And for someone who has held that ship as the pinnacle of all ships since I was 12 years old, it's really saying something. It's Elizabeth/Darcy's hate to love relationship but instead of Jane Austen's wit we get Charles Dickens' social consciousness. (Except better because I don't actually like Charles Dickens all that much and having read the book which is also great, of course, I prefer her writing). But guys. THIS IS THE SHIPPIEST OF SHIPS. And oh my god I clearly never gave Richard Armitage enough credit for anything. THE SWOONS.
Once again we have a bit of gender bending - but this time instead of having a girl who dresses like a boy (a la Coffee Prince), there's a body switch! To complicate matters, the leading lady is a badass stunt actress and the leading man is a rich owner of a hotel chain - so they are from very different circles in life. And of course the ensemble cast is what makes the show once again. This one is just full of fun, and it shows you a side of the industry that doesn't get any credit - stunt acting. (It is also unfortunately home to the cheesiest soundtrack of all time, but I like the show so much that I forgive it this one flaw)
Ahhh I have such a fondness of cozy mysteries! This one sets itself apart by following our two heroines - who are gardeners. This leads to murder mysteries in the most beautiful English gardens and of course any tv show with lady friends is my favourite thing. Beautiful settings and awesome nosy gardeners? So up my alley.
This Korean drama has THE BEST SOUNDTRACK. The main lead actor is most well known as the lead singer of the band CNBlue- which is, coincidentally, my favourite Korean band. So of course the soundtrack is mainly CNBlue songs (and regular readers know I'm a sucker for a good soundtrack - it's the easiest way to convince me to watch anything) The main actress, Park Shin-hye, is also the lead actress in another favourite on this list (Pinocchio). She's definitely my favourite Korean actress - she's so funny! And of course I enjoy this particular drama because it's set up as traditional Korean style music vs. newer rock music. Music all around, yay!
This show is SO INTENSE. It's very different from anything else on this list, because it's more like it's a collection of hour long films. The production quality is extremely high, and as far as I can tell the episodes aren't linked, other than being very thought provoking. Each episode is centered around a concept of some sort, and then throws the characters into situations that will make you question all morals and ethics and....everything. Very intense, and highly recommended.
Holy shit guys this show is so freaking addicting!! And so dramatic. But dance! Beautiful, beautiful dance! This goes in honourable mentions for the sole reason that despite it being so addicting (and I loved every minute of it)...after a certain season finale I just couldn't watch anymore. Too much drama for me - it starts stressing me out after a certain point. (HOW MANY BAD DECISIONS CAN ONE PERSON MAKE TARA??? HOW MANY?) But it has great dance and characters you will hate and then love and then hate again with great fervor. Literally the only reason I never finished it is because after said season finale the next season wasn't out yet and I just...couldn't.
I clearly watch too much television, so by all means leave me a link to your TTT below!
It's been a while (to put it mildly) since I've posted one of these, so I have loads to tell you! I don't even know where to begin, really. I quit the gym job I've had for the past year which is one of the best decisions I've made all year. I hated working there - it was super boring which just exhausted me. Who knew doing nothing would make you that tired? I don't think I realized how much blogging I got done during that job though, even when I'd lowered my shifts down to just one day a week. Basically I haven't done any posts since I quit, which I'm ok with. The blog isn't all of life, but I have missed it. Here's hoping I'll be motivated to post more regularly even though I'm not chained to a desk job any more!
I also had a really good talk with the teacher I had while studying at my undergrad. I basically just had a heart to heart about how I felt like I was kind of stuck - taking auditions and not getting anywhere with them, dropping my student, a very long dry spell in gigs which basically meant that at that point in time I was doing 0% of what I wanted to do. She reminded me I'd never wanted an orchestra job in the first place, which is very true. I was taking auditions because I felt like it was something I should do, and something that would offer me at least a little (very little) job security if I did win a job. And then she pointed out that my boyfriend is also a freelance musician. And you know what a freelance musician + a freelance musician equals? No benefits and no retirement. With Obamacare, no benefits isn't a huge deal for me at the moment, but no retirement...that's kind of a big deal.
My grandfather runs his own jewelry business - he designs jewelry using pressed and preserved flowers.
They're really gorgeous actually, I'm lucky I'm his granddaughter so I've got a few pieces of my own - you should go check them out! I have the pendant version of these earrings - they've got Hawaiian seaweed (Limu) pressed and preserved inside. He deals primarily with orchids, but he started this line a few years back and it's one of my favourites - I've never seen Limu jewelry anywhere else, so it feels really unique!
It's his passion, and I am so, so happy he's able to do what he loves for his work. But he also didn't have retirement options, and he's near or in his 80's (it occurs to me I am a terrible granddaughter for not actually knowing his age) and not working isn't an option for him. He gets to do what he loves...but he has to do what he loves. Every day. Even if he gets sick. He simply can't afford not to. And I don't want to be in that position. It's half envious - being able to do what you love is really an amazing thing - but half agony. Or at least it would be for me, it may not be for him (although I imagine he'd appreciate being able to take a vacation). Oboe is a very, very physically demanding instrument. To be honest your chops start to go in your 50s and 60s, and beyond that...well, most of us have retired by then. If I did freelance solely (assuming I ever got that successful) I'd be constantly competing against younger, and to be honest better musicians. Which...is horribly depressing.
My teacher pointed out that I already know that I loved teaching middle school band, and it comes with benefits and retirement, and that if my boyfriend and I ever get married, he'd be added to those. And that if I really want to play, I will find ways to make it happen. And she's right. I don't for a second regret going to grad school and getting my Masters in performance, nor do I regret the past year and half taking auditions and gigs when I can. They've made me a better musician and I think it's made choosing to pursue teaching a more informed decision - I think if I'd done this earlier there would always be a feeling of "what if". And now I know: I don't think I would be happy doing only freelance work. And happiness is what I want. So I've mailed off the paperwork to be certified, and I'm in the process of applying to be put on the substitute teaching lists. And I am so relieved that I'm doing all of this - I don't feel like a failed musician. I think all this time, even though I don't think of other teachers as "failed musicians", I've been afraid I would feel that way about myself. All in all, I feel nervous and excited and determined and...well, happy.
On a more depressing note, things haven't been going so well with Lily. She broke her tail in December (how exactly is still a mystery since she was home alone, but that's beside the point). It's fine - a bit kinked, but it hasn't had a big impact on her ability to walk or anything. It's everything else I found out - turns out she isn't six as we'd previously though....she's thirteen. And with it she's got all the problems that come with being thirteen - she's got hyperthyroidism, and I've just found out she's in the early stages of kidney failure. I haven't talked to the vet yet, but I know what she's going to say: at best Lily's got a few years left in her at max. I can do a little to help extend her life and keep her feeling good...but. To say it's heartbreaking to go from expecting to have a decade left with her to discovering it'll only be a few years is an understatement. BUT I am going to make sure she's as comfortable and happy as possible, and I'm going to steel myself for the tough decision that's going to be looming in my future. In the meantime she seems to be feeling ok, and Tristan is just as cuddly and active (how this cat is 22 pounds I just don't understand. Well, except that he likes to lick oil bottles. Yup. That's a thing) so at least they're not both ill. (I'm not going to lie, I'm actually terrified I'm going to take him to the vet in May and I will be getting more bad news, as I've taken Lily to the vet 3 times in the past 4 months and each time gotten more bad news. BUT IT CAN'T HAPPEN TO HIM TO I WILL NOT LET IT AND GOD HELP ME I AM GOING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE HE KEEPS GAINING ALL THIS WEIGHT. And I'm going to hide my oil bottles.)
Tristan, as fat and sulky about not getting Lily's wet food as ever. And Lily LOVES the snow! When it starts snowing she glues herself to the door and windows until I let her out haha!
I'm not going to lie, this hiatus from the blog hasn't been entirely due to work/life things. I have watched so much tv. Like...SO. MUCH. TV. So, on the off chance any of you are looking for something new to watch, here's:
What I've Been Watching:
This is like....zombies meets..Rizzoli & Isles? Basically it's a really fun premise, Ravi is (WOULD IT KILL BLOGGER TO LET ME PUT HEARTS OF SOME KIND) amazing
(and cute. Did I mention that? Super, super, super cute), also there are zombies. It's a good time, I swear, you should watch it.
Guys, this took over my life for like a month. I blame iZombie and Kirsty - I basically did
NOTHING but watch this show. I worked, ate, and watched the show. I did not sleep. There was no sleep. IT'S SO GOOD. SO SO SO SO SO SO GOOD. And I know people freaked out about this show but I didn't care and I was so stupid (but glad because I would have DIED if I had to wait like a decade for the movie). The first season remains my favourite - the second season had some weird story lines that went way out there, and the third season just didn't hit it's stride until the very end. BUT, that being said that's like criticizing early Beethoven. IT'S STILL GOOD. (Also I'm not saying I think late Beethoven is better, although I do prefer it. In fact actually this is a terrible simile, ALL BEETHOVEN IS GOOD I AM NOT BEING A BLASPHEMER RIGHT NOW. But I can't think of a better thing at the moment so I'm just going to...move on.) The pilot episode of this show is FLAWLESS. I mean it - it's one of the most courageous pilots I've seen - they really don't hold back and I love Veronica Mars and oh my god I want to go watch this show again STOP ME. So basically this was my life for almost a month - I binge watched all three seasons, and then the movie, and then the first book. The only reason I haven't read the second book is because my library only has it on e-audiobook for some odd reason and I prefer cds in my car. Plus it would just take too long AND I WANT TO JUST READ THE WHOLE THING RIGHT NOW. Ahem. So basically, blame Kirsty for a month of this hiatus, that month is completely her fault.
Speaking of really fantastic shows....Granite Flats is really good. It has really short seasons, is sort of...50's noir meets children? I don't know I suck at these stop asking me! Just watch it! I was....quite upset by an event at the beginning from season 3 that I still haven't quite forgiven, but the first two seasons are just truly fantastic works of art. And very much like YA - light hearted at times, but definitely doesn't pull punches when they're deserved.
I finally finished Sense8 - it's one of those shows I wanted to make sure I actually sat down and watched instead of had on while doing the dishes or something. It's so stunningly beautiful to watch and complex enough that you really need to pay attention to watch it. It some how manages to be both quiet and touching, but fun and exciting. And I love that it's set all over the world!! It's so hard to pick what I like most about it, but it's such a diverse cast of characters - and I'm not just talking about race and culture although it's certainly one of the most if not the most diverse show I've watched in that sense, but in their stories and personalities and how their storylines evolve. I really, really recommend this one, but only if you have patience as it unfolds itself without being rushed about it.
And last but not least, Velvet which is a Spanish show. It's set in 1950s Spain, and it's set in a fashion store so you get these beautiful costumes, with all the financial/business drama of Mad Men mixed with the class differences of Downton Abbey and it is gorgeous. I haven't finished this one as it's obviously a subtitled so I have to watch it slowly, but it actually features one of the actors from Sense8 (incidentally possibly my favourite character/storyline from Sense8, although it's really hard to choose). So far it has been really fantastic!
What I've Been Listening To:
I realized I hadn't ever listened to Imogen Heap's latest album (I'm grossly behind - this came out in 2014) and this is the opening track. It is everything I love about her music and it's reminded how deeply impressed and moved I always am with her music. The lyrics are thought provoking, the music is so layered and somehow manages to always surprise me with where it goes harmonically, which is a rarity in the pop music world. (Although Imogen wouldn't exactly be considered a pop artist, but my point is the non-classical/jazz world).
I seriously thought Phil Collins had joined a band the first time I heard this song. It's not as clear on the other tracks, but on this one in particular he sounds just like him. Seriously. Listen to this, and then listen to this.
...did I mention how obsessed I got with Veronica Mars? I'm not even kidding I may have been bordering insanity. I actually prefer the original season 1 and 2 versions of the song, but I LOVE the way they did the season 3 credits, so I compromised and put that video up instead. But here's a link to the full song because it is SO GOOD and reminded me that when The Dandy Warhols are on, they're on. (...but they have a lot of weird stuff too haha)
And if you guys are ever into what I listen to or don't mind rather eclectic playlists, I update this one fairly frequently with what I'm listening to at the moment!
What I've been playing:
It's been a very choral month for me! First up we have the Beethoven Mass in C Major:
I honestly think this is the first time I've played with a professional choir since I graduated high school, and it was by far the most pleasant experience I've ever had. My undergraduate would do a choral/orchestral concert each semester and...well let's just say it felt more like a battle than a collaboration. Working with the group I did was just so fun, the musicianship was fantastic, and everyone was very welcoming!
I was lucky enough to be contacted by the Beethoven director who was also putting together a Bach marathon (yay all day Bach!) and needed an oboist for a cantata. To say playing Bach is a challenge (especially physically) is...it would be an understatement to say it is an understatement. But they're so lovely! Luckily for my face this one is only about a half hour, but this was probably one of the most fun things I've been able to do in recent years. Once again, the singers were phenomenal and the group was very small - I think there was a grand total of fourteen musicians performing this, so it felt really intimate. And luckily the director was great to work with - and this is not always the case. I can't even imagine what his schedule must have been like having back to back weekends of the Beethoven Mass and then the Bach Marathon which he had to put together, but he managed to do it somehow and was a pleasure to work with. All in all, this month has been a very good one for me (minus the rather major Lily thing) and it's finally starting to be like spring and I have daytime in my life again, so I've been in a pretty good mood! (...it probably helps that I can have coffee again now that I don't have any upcoming performances.)
And I'll have to leave the bookish part for tomorrow since it's Tuesday (and also this post is going to take the average person a year to read it's so long), and that means it's La La's Tell Me Tuesday! ...which I'm hoping I will get up. No which I WILL get up. I BELIEVE IN MYSELF. So that just leaves my sparse bookish links, since let's be real I've been about as good about visiting blogs as I have been about writing blog posts.
