And the Oscar goes to..

I know I'm like three days late with this, but better late then never right? Right?

So here's the deal: unless you've been under a rock for the last week in the entertainment world you don't know but the Academy Awards nominations have been announced. I'm a big, mega, HUGE fan of the Oscars. I'm super-de-duper excited the James Franco and Anne Hathaway are the hosts this year. In my expert opinion, this year the entertainment/movie world has stepped up their games.

See future blog about the History of the Academy Awards! (That's how much I love these things!)

And the nominees are...

Best Picture (All eight of them. EIGHT!)

Black Swan

The Fighter

Inception

The Kids Are All Right

The King's Speech

127 Hours

The Social Network

Toy Story 3

True Grit

Winter's Bone

Winner: I'm between Black Swan, The Fighter and Inception. Huge fan of all three of these films. It's going to be a battle that's for sure.

Actress in a Leading Role

Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right

Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole

Jennifer Lawrence, Winter's Bone

Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine

Winner: I gotta go with my girl Natalie Portman in this one. Her performance was bone-chillingly good. (As was that adjective/adverb!)

Actor in a Leading Role

Javier Bardem, Biutiful

Jeff Bridges, True Grit

Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network

Colin Firth, The King's Speech

James Franco, 127 Hours

Winner: I'm just following the entertainment's gut and advice on this one: Colin Firth. Although I haven't seen The King's Speech, I've heard he is really good.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Amy Adams, The Fighter

Helena Bonham Carter, The King's Speech

Melissa Leo, The Fighter

Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit

Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom

Winner: Amy Adams. She's not our Enchanted princess anymore people.

Actor in a Supporting Role

Christian Bale, The Fighter

John Hawkes, Winter's Bone

Jeremy Renner, The Town

Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right

Geoffrey Rush, The King's Speech

Winner: Christian Bale. Unreal performance. Didn't even recognize him.

Director

Black Swan, Darren Aronofsky

The Fighter, David. O. Russell

The King's Speech, Tom Hooper

The Social Network, David Fincher

True Grit, Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

Winner: Oh boy, any of these guys. I'm not saying I don't care but they are all amazing.

Animated Feature Film

How to Train Your Dragon

The Illusionist

Toy Story 3

Winner: Toy Story 3. Any animated film that can bring a tear to my eyes totally deserves an Oscar.

Yeah, I know I left a lot, about 17, categories out but honestly, I only care about the above. I think all aspects are key to a movie and why I love them so much, but I do not have the right credentials to judge who should win those other ones.

As a fan, I know what I like and when I like it. And let me tell you, I will let you know...until next time.

(Information taken from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/entertainmentnews/academy-awards-2011/nominations.html?sid=ST2011012500006&referrer=emaillink)

In the News...

Top story on the American News today: Officials refusing salary cuts *News Anchor Voice.*

Today's PoppieCult blog isn't going to be on how government is going to cut education budget, although it probably should be. I recieved a lovely forward in my email the other day, yes, I still have email and yes, I still recieve forwards, and yes, I do actually read them. (I don't send them on and no, nothing ever bad happens to me in 10 days.)

This forward titled Newspaper Map *News Anchor Voice* looked promising. So, being the kurious kitten (Like that forced alliteration? Huh Huh?) that I am I checked it out. It has maps of every area of the world and cute little orange dots on it which when you scroll over them gives you the daily newspaper headline!!

Now we shall start with the US:

The front of the Bakersfield Californian, published in Bakersfield, CA had the big news of Superbowl participants and an interesting story entitled, "Pastor gets Pardon." Now from what I can see is the guy was pardon by the Govenator Arnold on his drug felony and then turned his life around and became a priest....Interesting.

From the east coast, The Middletown Press, published in Middletown, CT had the news of the crowning of Miss Connecticut! She's fighting for the title of Miss USA. I think this is an excellent news day for Middletown. I love me some pageants!

Overseas:

London looks to have very similar news to the big newspapers in America. Economic crisis, Middle East conflict, sexist comments towards woman athletes..just another day.

If you wanna check out some news for yourself...have a look http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/.

30 for the price of 1

I'm sick. *cough cough* But for the love of my followers, aka follower, (HI DILLON!!) I felt the need to update. So, the new thing on Facebook is this 30 days of photo challenge thingy-ma-bob. But I'm going to do it in a day, actually 25 minutes, because I live a drive-through lifestyle. Which is the exact reason why I bought the 2 hour whitestrips versus the 2 week ones today using 2 coupons that saved me $15. This couponing thing is paying off. Anyway, 30 Day Challenge:

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts

1. I'm a nerd.

2. I'm addicted to reality television.

3. I work 3 jobs and I'm still poor.

4. I like buying waterbottles, purses (bags), and shoes and scarves.

5. I'm going to London in May.

6. I cry every single stinkin' time I watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

7. My favorite color is green.

8. I don't have any hidden talents.

9. I wish I wore glasses.

10. Someday, I want a big, warm and soft dog to lay on my bed with me.

11. I wish it could be fall year round.

12. I'm an english and history major.

13. I want to be Oprah.

14. I think a camera should follow me around all day and record the hilarious things I say.

15. I cannot sing to save my life.
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

Me and my brother
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Glee
Day 04 - A picture of your night

A good book and a glass of ice cold water
Day 05 - A picture of your... favorite memory

A photo at my very first Swing Dance
Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Oprah Executive Producer
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

My books....all of my books.
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

A photo of me and my friends laughing and someone caught it on camera. It's awesome.
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

My mom
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with

My friend Courtney
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

I think this would be blank..I don't hate a lot of things.
Day 12 - A picture of something you love

BOOKS (I'm catching a re-occuring theme here...)
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

I'm recently obsessed with All Time Low
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

My Dad
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Climb all the steps to the Effiel Tower
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

Miss Heinz
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

Oprah, lame but true.
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

Singing
Day 19 - A picture of a letter

Like a written letter?
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Greece
Day 21 - A picture of something you miss doing

Playing Volleyball
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

Singing
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

Money
Day 25 - A picture of your day

My school bag full of books and binders
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

My room
Day 27 - A picture of your last meal

Soup!
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of

Dogs
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

My family
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss.

Everyone that I have lost touch with

 

I know this post did not have anything to do with Pop Culture but I hope ya''ll will bear with me. I'm going to tackle the newspapers tomorrow. Be excited!!

Too Much To Do

Honestly, I cannot believe how much stuff I have to do. I'm serious I have absolutely no time to do anything so this blogging things original purpose to make me slow down and actually enjoy life is maybe not so much doing it's purpose. But anywayz, besides me yelling and whining about my busy schedule, it has come to my attention that I, at least for about a day, was no longer a Pisces.

Here's the dealio. I could not believe this. I am a perfect Pisces. It is exactly my personality and who I am. But, it might just be me believing that I am my sign and nothing else, but no, seriously, I am a Pisces and always will be. So you can understand my freakout...

But I guess my freakout was nothing. The next time I search and try to figure out my new sign. it's a joke! I'm still a Pisces. Apparently, this new fancy sign is only for people who are born after 2009. So here's my stressful situation: Why didn't they post that originally?!

Oh, and this is just another excellent reason for my life choice to not get that tattoo. Oh, but I'm not sure that's going to stop me! :)

Pet Hate

Pet Peeves. Pet Peeves. Ugh! They are these little annoyingly difficult things that I cannot stand. People with pet peeves actually annoy me more than the pet peeves themselves. Those people just need an excuse to tell someone, "Oh my gosh, stop! That is my pet peeve! Stop!" Those people need a reality ch-ch-check!

Okay, I do actually have a few pet peeves, but I am not that person who shouts out telling people to stop! Nor do I do the other the shoulder, slight glare to force them to stop. So here they are:

The noise that the keys of a cellphone make: I mean, for real, it annoys all of you too. Admit it. The repeated 'click, click, click' and finally, 'click' of the send button. Shesh, it's awful especially when you are like watching a movie or having a conversation with them and they whip out their phone and starting texting mid-conversation. UGH!

Unorganization: When people are not organized it really bothers me. There are so many ways to get organized and stay that way, there really is no excuse. Oh, oh, and then don't expect me to be able to organize for you for your stuff. Now I don't mind being helpful but c'mon, don't expect me to do it for you!

Now, I have two. Two out of about oh a million. Here are some more that I found that I thought were pretty comical.
-Kids who tease dogs through a fence.
-People who sit next to you on public transportation even when there are other seats available.
-Made up car names that are not even real words.
-Celebrities claiming to be environmentalists.
-Chasing after a ping pong ball.
-People who style their hair during Mass.
-Conversational High-Fives: High-fiving at any time other than when one is actively playing a sport
My personal favorites: the high-fives and the ping pong ball chasing. It just goes to show people are annoyed by pretty much anything these days!

My goal today: To not be annoyed by people or annoy people.

Weekend. Mekend. Shmekend.

Most weekends involve sleeping in, hanging out, and consuming all too much food. This weekend I did something  that I think I should share: I watched a different movie on each day. "Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief" "Black Swan" "Easy A" are the ones that I watched, and now, reviewed. Spoiler Alert!

Percy Jackson
I'm a sucker for any history, aka Greek mythology, movie. Especially when there is a super cute male lead. The story line was interesting. Percy is the son of Poseiden and its bomb how he controls water and it's basically him figuring his new life out, saving his mother, and 'falling' in love. It's a good movie, but it's a kiddie version of Greek mythology. So, in conclusion, its not my favorite movie of the weekend. I bet the book is a lot better.

Black Swan
I love it movie. Love it. It has intrigue, depth, and a kick ass plot! It's Swan Lake but modern. It's a psychological thriller and let me tell you, I jumped several, meaning 3, times. Natalie Portman is brillant in this. The dancing, which after watching this made me want to sign up for lessons too bad I quit when I was three, is beautiful. I cannot believe it. It is so good. It better win an Oscar or I might freak out.

Easy A
John Hughes would be proud. It is funny, smart, and a interesting combination of The Scarlet Letter, and any John Hughes theme. Its one of those movies that is great but not Oscar-Black-Swan-good. Olive lies to her friend about her sex life, and this rumor spreads like wild fire. Long story short, she has to battle being the school skank and finally get her love, Lobster Todd.

Movie Ratings: #1Black Swan #2 Easy A #3 Percy Jackson

My action as PoppieCult: to find what I love and fight for it like all of these main characters did.

Cheap! Cheaper! Cheapest!

I've been spending a lot of money lately between school and books and all my other needs like new jeans, super-cute shortie black boots, and my severe scarf addiction. Of course, I need 34 scarves of which fifteen of them are all different shades of purple. But here's the thing that working years and years of retail, by years I mean three, that really makes me slightly aggreviated: Coupons.

Coupons are not the only thing that really gets me. Its the people that just have to make sure and check and make sure that they get their items for the price and amount that they wanted. I mean, really? Your Kleenex boxs are 14 cents cheaper than they were oh...3 seconds ago. But recently it came out this is called "Extreme Couponing." To me, it's just another day on the job.

These couponers, of both genders, have names like Coupon Queen/King and Discount Diva. They 'spend' about $234.90 on items and they get them for $12.34. Part of me really gets annoyed by this but I'm pretty sure it's jealousy. I have no idea how these people do it. I mean, do they collect them for years and know every single return policy and price changes?

So heres the thing. I'm spending a lot money. Now, I am going to be cutting those coupons and checking the sales.

Next actions as PoppieCult: Cut coupons and check those sales.

And now, the rest of the story...

Today was the first day of classes. Everyone is back in action. My day, unfortunately, started bright and early at 8 AM with a little theater action. Let me tell you, it was dramatic. First, my professor sounds like Paul Harvey News and Comment. Which when I made reference to it, no one, and I mean, no one agree. Probably due to the fact that they didn't listen to it as a child at the dinner table. So there I was just waiting to hear the rest of the story and he starts talking about DEATH! aka "Hamlet." By him screaming, DEATH!, I swear half of the room jumped in the air and realized that this class is probably going to be the most entertaining of their semester, as I did.

And now, the rest of the story...

My classes this semester are going to be a lot of work but I guess that's good. Mostly because I am going to be writing papers and reading novels and articles until my eyes burn and my fingers hurt. That's what I signed up for so I'm not going to bore you with that. But I will bore you with my love of one particular social networking website: FACEBOOK.

And now, the rest of the story...

Not only is Mark Zuckerberg the Time person of the year, he had a movie come out and of course changed Facebook...again. Today everyone's profile officially had to be the 'new' version. And honestly, I can't figure out why everyone is whining! I like the new Facebook. It's fancy and neat and all organized. However, 2 things bother me.

One: I cannot automatically delete my friends. I'm lazy and I just want to hit the "X" but noooo, I have to go to their profile and scroll all the way to the bottom and remove. Because of this, I haven't deleted people. I have just been a lot more selective. (Yes, I'm being all selective because I have an up-do. I gotta work that up-do.) Puhlease, tell me you have seen that video!!! No? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTFZyl7hfBw)

Two: To look at people's photos I have to go back to my homepage, scroll down to photos, click on recent albums and see all of the new ones. I thought this was supposed to make my life easier and hassle-free, so to speak, but it has just complicated my life.

And now, the rest of the story...

Contrary to popular belief, I am not lazy. Although, re-reading my 2 problems with Facebook, I seem really lazy. It's really just a couple of clicks away but yet, I'm too lazy.

My PoppieCult action for the day: To not be lazy and worry about a couple extra clicks.

PS "See Friendship" button freaks me out. Way too creepy.

Taking the Blogging V-Card

All right, here's the deal. I'm new to this.*Shocked face!* My goal is not necessarily to entertain you with my exciting life. However, it is to share my thoughts, feelings and I guess, my really exciting life.

Blogging seems like this foreign thing to me. And the little voice in the back of my head, driven into my brain by my mother, to not share too much information online. Whoops. I guess, to me, blogging is going to seem like this diary that I lost the key to or my brother stole it. Either way I'm giving it a try.

Now, a bit about me. I'm a twenty-something, college student about to embark on another semester as an english and history major. So if you didn't figure it out already, I'm a nerd. Not one of those headgear-wearing-pocket-protecting-losers (see Michael Anthony Hall's friends in "16 Candles"). Probably a lot more like Molly Ringwald in "16 Candles" but not as angry? I'm not sure if I'm painting the best picture of myself. Which is probably a good thing for those crazy stalkers who might try and find me.

I do a lot of things on campus and I am involved in a lot of things which in some cases is a really great thing. I'm learning a lot about myself and my fellow students but honestly, it just makes for a really busy life and most of the time I forget the reasoning for why I do the things that I do. Poppie Cult is going to make me sit down, review my day and form actual feelings towards my life. As a goal for the semester I am going to do this. Situations will be stressful, life-fearing, and paper cuts will form but through it all I hope, *fingers crossed*, we can get through it together!

My first official Poppie Cult action is to say: Hey YA'LL!