Dearest Bloggers,
Greetings from Bowling Green. Today I ate an octopus tentacle. It was chewy but rather tasteless. 

Anyway, as usual, there's really no point to this blog post. I'm just rambling, as I do. 

Random Things I Feel Like Telling You:
-My cat Tinkerbell is the cutest animal on the planet. Just saying.
-I'm actually glad my parents never got me that puppy they sort of promised. See, I was supposed to get a puppy if I went to WKU (*coughasabribecough*), but I never got it. We did, however, acquire quite a few more cats in my college years. Anyway, I've been puppysitting for a friend, and her puppy is adorable! But puppies require a lot of work. They're not independent or aloof like cats. I haven't had a dog in so long I guess I'd forgotten how to relate to them. I love dogs, don't get me wrong. But cats. CATS. 
-I started reading Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life for my new devotional this morning, and then I remembered, oh yeah, we met him. Remember that? On the road trip? He hugged us. That happened. Weird. Anyway, hopefully he'll tell me what my purpose is. That'll be fun. (Just kidding, of course. That's for God to tell me.)
-Yesterday's rehearsal for The Giver was fun and hilarious because the actors who play my daughter and my husband got the giggles, and they couldn't stop, and pretty soon half the cast were laughing and no one knew why. I guess you just had to be there. But it was priceless. We just stopped after a while. Rehearsing, not laughing. We just ended early because nobody could keep it together. Hopefully that doesn't happen on stage!
-There's a fancy theater in Atlanta where my cousins go see shows sometimes, and they're doing Phantom of the Opera, and I wanna go. But money.... =P
-I love the sound of old movies playing in the other room. Like right now, my parents are watching some old technicolor movie on TCM and it just sounds nostalgic, even though it's from way before my time.
-STARS, guys. Go outside and look up at the stars. I love them.
-My favorite customers at the restaurant told me that there's a song called "Anna Beth." That's my name! Too bad they were wrong, and it was actually "Sarah Beth." Oh well, the girl in the song had cancer anyway. If there's a song about my name, I'd prefer it not be depressing.
-I finished reading We Were Liars. READ. IT. NOW. Oh my goodness. I can't even say anything, except just read it! Don't just put it on your list. Put it at the TOP of your list. It's worth the read.
-Have you guys heard this song? It's awesome!

Post-song-break continuation of random thoughts:
-It's officially fall now! "Fall is here! Fall is here! It's a wonderful time of year!" (Yes, quoting a song from Rugrats, if you're wondering.)
-You know what one of the greatest things about fall is, besides all the pumpkin spice and the gloriously crisp chill in the air and Halloween and everything else amazing? The return of so many television shows! Downton Abbey's back (well...I mean in Britain...hehe...), and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Oh the feels!), and Once Upon A Time comes back on this Sunday, and Doctor Who is already on. And Reign is coming back soon (I'm both excited and horrified!). Perhaps I get a bit too excited about television...Nah! So what shows are you guys excited about coming back or premiering this fall? If you're looking for one to watch (besides the aforementioned ones, because they're great and you should watch them), I'd recommend Selfie, starring Amy Pond and Sulu...I mean Karen Gillan and John Cho. I knew Karen Gillan was going to be in a new show, but I hadn't really heard much about it. But you guys...It's a modern social-media-aware sitcom adaptation of My Fair Lady / Pygmalion. YOU GUYS KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT MODERN ADAPTATIONS OF CLASSIC LITERATURE! SQUEEEEEEE!!!!!! :)  Anyway, the pilot episode is on Hulu, so I watched it, and I'm actually quite fond of it so far. You guys should give it a try. 
-The International Festival is this weekend! Yay!
-Jill's now helping out backstage for The Giver! Yay!
-And now all that's left to say is, here's this week's Theatre Thursday selection: part of Lea Salonga's audition for Miss Saigon, from when she was like 16 or 17! It's cute, and she sings like an angel. Also, Lea Salonga grew up to be the singing voices of both Jasmine and Mulan (in addition to, you know, becoming a musical theatre superstar)!

Bonus: Lea Salonga also covered "Go the Distance" from Hercules, because she must sing ALL THINGS DISNEY!!!!

Until next week, guys. Go the distance.
-AB

Hello from Anna Beth. On Thursday. Like it's supposed to be. We're kind of awful at this whole consistent blogging thing. But let's give it another try. What do you say?
So, like Amber's blogs and old school Vlogbrothers videos, this post comes to you in multiple parts.

Life Updates: 
Same old, same old, I guess. I'm working part time at Beijing Tokyo and not hating it. I'll be working at Target soon, though, as a seasonal cashier or sales floor person or something. I like Target. I want all their scarves, and soon I'll have access to employee discounts!
Also, I'm still rehearsing for The Giver, which is lots of fun. I love theater, you guys. Just being a part of how it all comes together is thrilling, and I love to watch people act. Our cast is good. It's gonna be a good show. My children are adorable!
On another note, Amy has been confirmed alive. I asked her mom today, and apparently she's very busy with school but she's having a good time. I have a number where you can call her in China, too. If anyone's interested in calling mega-long-distance, message me on facebook for the number.

Currently Reading:
So I'm reading a couple of books that have been suggested to me, and they're both amazing. The first is Love Does by Bob Goff. Shelby tried to get me to read this book over a year ago, and I've just now gotten around to it. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG?! IT'S AMAZING! It's nonfiction, Christian inspirational awesomeness! Bob Goff basically just tells some of the really crazy, unconventional things he's done in life and how his experiences have pointed him to Christ. And it's the most upbeat, motivating, and freeing Christian book I've ever read. There are important implications without guilt. It really drives home the point that God gives us passions and wants us to live whimsical, unconventional, bold lives. It's wonderful and just pure fun.
The second book I'm reading is We Were Liars by E. Lockheart, recommended by Amber. I just started it last night, and I really couldn't put it down. It's a fast-paced, compelling read. I'm not terribly far along yet, because I had to sleep and work and things, but I'll finish it soon, Amber. Then we can talk about how great it is.

Future Plans:
So I'm sure all of you have heard by now, but Jill and I are trying to move to Ireland in the beginning of 2015, Lord willing. London is also on the table if we can find internships, but I'm not sure about that one. Ireland, though. We could live in Ireland next year. Come visit! We'll travel the world together.

Your Homework:
Yep. That's what I said. You have homework. I kind of refuse to let this blog die, so I've come up with a list of questions for you to answer in your next blog posts. I mean, half the effort of blogging is coming up with something to say, right? So I've really done the work for you. Just answer these random questions and viola! Instant blog post!
1. What is your earliest memory?
2. Tell me about your most embarrassing haircut (bonus points if you have pictures!). 
3. If you could only eat one fruit for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
4. What books have impacted your life and why?
5. If you had to be famous for something, what would it be?
6. Name three places you want to go before you die.
7. What's your favorite song at the moment?
8. If you got a tattoo, what would it be and where?
9. Tangled or Frozen?

Theatre Thursday
Remember how that was going to be a thing? Woops.
Anyway, this week's Theatre Thursday video is...wait for it...from Les Mis. Okay, I'll stop. But really, you just need to experience this clip from a London 2008 production. If you want the short version, skip to Drink With Me at 5:55 and watch to the end. Just...enjoy. You'll understand when you see/hear Marius and his lonely soul. It cracks me up every time. 

Anyway...there's that. So, have a good week. Actually blog this time. Answer my questions! I'm looking forward to reading your posts! :)

Love,
AB

Bonsoir, my lovelies! 'Tis Anna Beth! Since it's been a while, I'm sure I have plenty to fill you in on, because I've actually had a life outside of Bowling Green for a little while. That's right: I made it out for a bit. Last week, I was living in Louisville (at Jake's apartment) and working as a production assistant on a short film. I can't tell you an incredible amount about the film. Spoilers! But I can tell you that it's called Roman Citizen, and it involves a bank heist, which was a TON of fun to be involved with filming. Lots of extras, guns, and craziness! And what was my part in all of this, you ask? Well, as a PA, my job was basically to do whatever anyone asked of me. Mostly, I ran a lot of errands, from stopping in at Walgreens and Staples to dashing down the street on a quest for undergarments. I also served as a chauffeur, transporting people to and from set, to and from the airport, etc. It was unnerving, to say the least. There I was in an unfamiliar city with a dysfunctional sense of direction and strangers in my car, trying to get places on time. But it was completely worth it. I got to know a lot of great people as I drove them from place to place, and sometimes I even got serenaded! It was fantastic!
One of my favorite parts of the week, though, was something somewhat unrelated to my actual job. It was the independence of living in a different city, in an apartment and not at home with my parents or even in a dorm. I went to work, then went out and did whatever I wanted for a while before going back to the apartment. I didn't really answer to anyone, and I kind of got to make my own rules and be the only one responsible for me. And it was nice. I mean, I love my folks and all, but I'm ready to be out from under their roof. I'm ready to make my own way. It's gonna be good, I can tell. 
And how was living with Sara's boyfriend for a week, you might wonder? Well, definitely more fun and less awkward than I would've imagined. He introduced me to some...interesting...tv shows, we had private conversations that Sara will never know about (hahahahha), and we got along very well (except for when he compared Enjolras to Hitler, and then I revoked my approval of his relationship with Sara and his very existence, really). It was a good time, and I'm grateful that he was kind enough to let me stay...despite some of his ridiculous opinions. :P
The day I got back from Louisville, I began rehearsals for The Giver, and it's been a lot of fun so far. The kids in the play are really adorable, and they're better actors than I am, probably. By the way, you should all come see the performance. It'll be the 21st and 22nd of October.
 Ooh, and speaking of children, I got to hang out with British children (and their parents) this evening! Our friends Suzanne and Daniel, along with their three awesome sons, are visiting from England, and they're pretty much the most fun people ever. Jill and I have both decided that they're our role models, and for good reason! They're energetic, fun, and godly people. They have jobs; they have kids; and they make plenty of time to travel. They kind of have it all going for them. :)
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So, it's been a pretty good month so far: movies, theatre, British people...really all the best things in life. But life wouldn't be complete without binge-watching something on the internet, so now I'm going to ramble about my most recent entertainment kick: webseries adaptations of classic literature! We all know and love The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, and chances are you guys have also seen Pemberley Digital's other Jane Austen adaptations, Welcome to Sanditon and Emma Approved (which I still need to finish). But I'm not sure how familiar you are with other webseries adaptations. I certainly had no idea there were so many until I dived into them this week. 
One I already knew about and have watched some of is The Autobiography of Jane Eyre. I haven't caught up with it yet, but since Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favorite books, I intend to continue watching the webseries. The overall look and production value doesn't quite measure up to the aesthetic of LBD, but it's still interesting to see a modern take on the story. And there are other adaptations that offer even more surprising takes on classic works. Sure, Austen and Bronte can be modernized and vlogged, but Shelley? Yep, Frankenstein M.D. is Pemberley Digital's newest creation, and for me, the verdict is still out on whether this series will be a monster or a masterpiece. The thought of Frankenstein as a vlog would be quite odd, and I guess Pemberley execs agreed, seeing as this series moves away from the traditional vlog style toward the realm of educational videos. It's a style that seems to work fairly well for now, and time will tell whether it all holds up once things take a turn for the undead.
Another unconventional series is The New Adventures of Peter and Wendy, based on J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. It depicts the beloved characters as late-twenty-somethings who are still trying to figure out life, love, and growing up. From what I've seen so far, it's quirky and fun, and a bit nonsensical at times. The look is great, very professional, and there are some recognizable faces in the cast, like Kyle Walters, who you'll recognize if you watched Welcome to Sanditon, and Brennan Murray, who you'll swear you know from somewhere but won't be able to place.
The next two on my list are tales from the Bard himself. That's right! College students have been adapting some Shakespeare! If you're a fan of Much Ado About Nothing, you'll want to check out Nothing Much to Do, a vlog series complete with the fun of New Zealand accents! I haven't started binge-watching this one yet, but the fact that it was made by Kiwis can only help, right? The one I have watched (straight through in one night) is Jules and Monty, a college adaptation of Romeo and Juliet which replaces feuding families with feuding fraternities. And I know what you're thinking: Romeo and Juliet were stupid teenagers and no one really cares about their so-called love story. I know. Romeo and Juliet is the one everyone's read, but it's no one's favorite, and none of the adaptations I've seen--from the one with the Zac Efron look-alike to the newest movie with the True Grit girl--have made me actually care about the story that much. But this one did. A low-budget webseries produced completely by students at Tufts University captured my attention, and maybe it'll capture yours, too. It's not perfect, but it's absorbing, and it's interesting when they throw in whole passages from the original text alongside the modern dialogue. And honestly, this is what encourages me: university students creating something unique, fun, and smart; taking the trend set by professionals like Pemberley Digital and making something similar while at the same time making it their own. I'd say it's worth a watch.
Okay, just one more for good measure: A Tell Tale Vlog by Shipwrecked. It's less of a direct adaptation, but if you want to see what would happen if Edgar Allan Poe were a vlogger, go check it out. He's awkward, it's funny, and Shipwrecked is a cool channel that could use more recognition. 
So what about you guys? Have you seen any of these adaptations? If so, what did you think? If not, which ones do you think you might check out? Are there any I've missed that I need to add to my list? And what classic books or plays do you think would make great webseries adaptations? Let me know in the comments!

--ABG

Why is it always Thursday? I feel like every time I turn around, Thor's day has come once more. It's like Groundhog Day. This summer--well, the part after all the traveling--seems to creep by in a haze of repetition, but the individual weeks also seem to fly by. And now it's Thursday. Again. I don't want to wish my life away, but I am glad for July end and for August, the month when things actually happen, to begin. I'm looking forward to heading up to Louisville for a week or so to work on the film. The producer I'm assisting contacted me today, and now we're Facebook friends! And then right after we wrap up the shoot, I come back to BG and begin rehearsals for The Giver. That extends through October, and I'll hopefully be getting a steady job when I get back from Louisville, too. Also, lots of fall tv shows are coming back. I'm particularly intrigued--if a wee bit skeptical--to see what Once Upon a Time does with Frozen. 
I looked at my calendar the other night and after a pretty barren month, it was nice to turn the pages and see lots of colors, arrows, and notes. I'm the kind of person who operates on goals, checklists, steps, and events. In short, it's very important to me to have something to look forward to. Yes, I have huge things to look forward to, like Heaven, but I'm talking about the short term. I'm happiest when I have lots of milestones, even if they seem small. But plans don't just appear; you have to make them, which is exactly what I intend to do. I'm planning ways to better myself for the everyday: studying languages, reading more, maybe even trying to learn an instrument. I'm planning to work a lot more on personal creative projects now that I'm out of school and can't use that as an excuse. I'm planning friendship gatherings and adventures (which may involve Shakespeare and/or fire). And, biggest and best of all, I'm looking at my options for leaving the country, planning how to travel and do new and exciting things!
But there were a lot of "I"s in that paragraph. I may have lots of plans (half of which I may never follow through on, because, let's be honest, I dream more than I do. I'm trying to change that.), but in the end, I don't get the final say. Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." In other words, it's all up to God. It is my goal and my desire to have a more open and receptive heart to receive what God wants me to hear and wants me to do. But the Bible doesn't say "sit around and twiddle your thumbs, waiting for a neon sign pointing to your destiny," either. I hope I'm not wrong, but I'm going to continue to make plans, praying that they will fulfill the Lord's will, and if they don't, that He will prevent them from succeeding. I've already spent too much of my post-graduation time not doing anything productive. It's time to act, to get serious, and to make some real plans. There are a million things to look forward to. Now it's time to stop looking and start moving forward. 

Until next Thursday,
Anna Beth

Hey! It's me, Anna Beth. My blog was, as Amber mentioned, mysteriously missing this week, along with some others. BUT...Exactly one year after we left for our California road trip last summer, I finally made the video I've been procrastinating on. Without further ado, the summer 2013 road trip video. WATCH IN HD OR ELSE!

Hello there, everyone. Today, thanks to Jill's suggestion, I'm going to be talking about the moon. Okay, not really, but I do have a little survey question for you all. 

Do you think the moon looks more like a rock or a shiny disc? Ignore your actual knowledge of what the moon IS. Imagine for a second that you don't really even know what the moon is. You don't know it's composition. You don't know if it shines on its own or if it reflects light. It's just a thing you see in the sky every night. Now what is it? What does it look like to you? A shiny-looking disc or a big, smooth rock? Please answer in the comments!

So that was a weird tangent, but it's me, so you should be used to that by now.  And speaking of weird tangents, let me tell you about the things you can do with mac and cheese. Okay, so it's really not that exciting, but I made something kind of delicious tonight: Kraft mac and cheese cooked with broccoli, mushroom Prego spaghetti sauce, and Italian seasoning. It was scrumptious. Even my parents thought so! Take that, real world! I may not have prospects, but I can cook exciting macaroni! 

In other news, I'm thinking of moving to Ireland. Their work visa policy seems a bit more American-friendly than the UK's. Thanks a lot, United Kingdom. 

Speaking of Ireland, today's Theatre Thursday selection is from the musical Once, which I was lucky enough to see when I was in London. It's the story of an Irish hoover repair man and a Czech immigrant who find friendship and happiness through making music together. When Jill suggested that I blog about the moon today, I thought immediately of this song:

I watched the movie Once today. I'd never seen it before, so when I saw the musical on the West End, I went into it having no idea what to expect. And let me just say, that's a great way to do things, because it was so pleasantly surprising. The movie was okay, but it was nothing compared to the stage version, which was thoroughly delightful!
And you know what else is delightful? This rendition of Falling Slowly: 

David Hunter is so lovely.

Love,
Anna Beth

This blog is late. Not too late. But late nonetheless. And I'm sleepy, so I'm not quite sure what it's going to say. Here goes....
Basically, today I went to eat at Beijing-Tokyo with Jill and Aunt Cam, and Amy, of course, because she's always there. Then Jill and I loitered in the parking lot for a long while before going to K-mart. There we found lying cupcakes, analyzed lemon sweets, and strolled around while I spoiled an entire movie for her. (If you're planning to watch The Other Boleyn Girl just for the Benedict Cumberbatch scenes, don't waste your time. There aren't enough.)
Anyway, following up from last week's blog, as I'm sure you've all read in the comments section: I got the job! I'm going to be working as a production assistant on a short film in Louisville next month. It's only for nine days, but I'm hoping it will be very useful, educational, and fun. And hopefully I'll make some good connections. In the meantime, I'll be here in BG, hopefully getting a job before too long, and always looking for my chance to move to and work in London. Any leads? Let me know!
Also as a follow-up, I still haven't bought either of the books I asked your opinions on last week, but I'm leaning toward A Girl Called Fearless. Speaking of books, though, I just read an excellent novel by Jennifer Donnelly called Revolution. It's the account of a troubled musician living in modern times who finds the diary of an aspiring actress who lived during the French Revolution, and it follows both of their stories. It's a really compelling read, and it taught me some things I didn't know about French history and about the catacombs of Paris. Did you know that there are around six MILLION people buried down there?!? Also, the book is where I got the title for this blog post. The quote, in full, is: "Think you only kings have power? Stand on a stage and hold the hearts of men in your hands. Make them laugh with a gesture, cry with a word. Make them love you. And you will know what power is."
Boom. Perfect segue into the Theatre Thursday section of this blog. And the topic this week is, unsurprisingly, Les Miserables. I've already gushed about this to Jill, but all of you should check out the video I'm about to link to. The Dallas Theater Center is currently doing a unique production of Les Mis that features all the same music and the same classic story, but with modernized costumes, sets, and staging. It's a timeless story, and they're taking a leap setting it in modern times, which seems like a bold and exciting take on the well-known musical. I so wish I were in Dallas to see this!

Augghhhgghhh look how close the audience is to the stage. I love that! Sorry, you guys should know by now that I geek out over anything Les Mis related. (And don't think for one second, Liesl Tommy, that I didn't notice that you referred to the June Rebellion as the French Revolution. Okay, okay, it's a revolution in France, and I'm sure that's what she meant, but still...no.) 

But seriously, someone, please, take me to Texas!

-Anna Beth