Blurring Reality

Hey! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving last week! To keep on going with last week's senses inspired theme, I want to share with you my favorite part of having the sense of sight, watching movies. I am soon beginning a TV and film production degree, with a minor in film studies, so visual media is definitely a major aspect of my life. Of course, almost everybody enjoys seeing films, so I'm sure you all can relate too. A quotation from A Clockwork Orange perfectly describes how I feel about this subject (viddy = view/watch): "It's funny how the colors of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen."

Sometimes, real life seems like an illusion. Everything passes by so quickly, people get into habits and become numb to small, yet beautiful, human experiences. Emotions are dulled, not appreciated. Things sometimes turn out the opposite of how we want them too, and often there aren't inspiring moments where you suddenly find your true self and your inner happiness. But life in movies is different. The best ones seem to bring out potent emotions in people which they struggle to conjure up in their real lives. For instance, if you have ever seen American Beauty (If not, go see this masterpiece!), you know how Kevin Spacey's character cherishes the little details of life. He says at the end,
"It's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst...and then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain. And I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life... You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... You will someday."
This is one of my favorite movie monologues ever. But the point is, when watching this film, people (including myself) actually get emotional over the beauty of the world. It can make one appreciate even the most insignificant seeming of things, such as the fluttering of leaves on a fall day or the warmth of the sun on your skin. A movie is able to make people feel gratitude like that! Incredible, isn't it? But guess what? A majority of people leave the theater or pop out the DVD and then immediately stop feeling thankful for everything again. Life goes back to being robotic, and the wonder of our senses is diminished and forgotten... Until the next movie, of course. If you are able to see the beauty in life, that is a a rare and amazing gift. For those who may go through the world on mental cruise control though, getting lost in movies has a crazy way of making one feel truly alive (while watching them). In the fantasy world of film, human experiences and emotions strangely seem more real and less like the odd dream of life. I find this fascinating.

Anyways, I think that everything in existence is beautiful and that film is too. I am so thankful for my sense of sight. To add onto this topic, here are two great (very) short films I have found for you.


Leave Me from Daros Films on Vimeo.



Notte Sento (English subtitles) from napdan on Vimeo.

Please let me know your thoughts on the short films! I would also love to know how you feel about the rest of my post. Thank you for taking the time to read it!

xoxo, Caylee

Indulging the Senses

Hey everyone! So I just decided that I want to write different posts inspired by each of the five senses. I am in a musical sort of mood today, which is why my focus will be on the sense of hearing! Below, I have shared with you eight songs that I adore, most of which have been favorites of mine for years now. They've been listened to a thousand times, yet they still have some sort of magical quality that stirs up something within me, whether this emotion makes me want to cry, dream, or dance. The songs like "Amber," "Chan Chan," "Pas de Deux," and "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" are especially meaningful, because they have the ability to bring me back to old places that I could never truly be in again. A different age, different friends, and different emotions that would be impossible to return to. It always astonishes me how the first note of a song can instantly cultivate memories that had been long forgotten until that moment. They come back so clear. When "Amber" plays, I can feel the exact temperature of the balmy Floridian air on that night, years ago, the cool sand underneath my feet, and the way I was smiling inside from pure contentment with life. I love that. Because of music, because of hearing, we have the ability to travel through time, back to the past.

So take a listen to these songs if you'd like. They are definitely an eclectic mix of genres! As a sort of experiment, let me know if you enjoy listening to them. If most of you don't, then it may show that I simply like these songs for the good memories associated with them. If you do, then perhaps I just know good music? :)

**I've heard that the music set isn't loading properly for some people. I have no idea how to fix it. If it doesn't work for you, find my playlist "The Right Sounds" here and take a listen! Thanks!**

Questions for you:

What are your favorite songs of all time? Which bring back memories for you? I love talking about this sort of thing; can't want to hear from you all! I hope you enjoy my musical choices!

xoxo, Caylee

Let's Have a Chat

Hey there! I've been posting on this blog for the past month now, so you all have started to get to know me in a roundabout way through my writing. That's all great and dandy, but I want to know more about you too! I'm a type of person who truly loves getting to know people. Some folks are champs at small talk, but I'm all about deep conversations (especially over coffees at a cafe). Obviously, though unfortunately, we can't all round up to have a chat, but I still want to pose a few thoughtful questions that I would love for you to answer! They come from Marc and Angel's 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind; my favorite questions are below, but some of the ones on the website may really make you rethink certain elements in your life. Anyways, on to the fun stuff (I love little questionnaires almost as much as I love lists)!

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

At what time in your most recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?

What are you most grateful for?

What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?

Just leave your answers as a comment, and I would be absolutely thrilled! I'll be sure to post my response too. Thank you so much for participating! Below is a bit of candy for the eyes, since you guys are so awesome.

 Fifi Lapin = Most stylish bunny in the world

My favorite robe from Plum Pretty Sugar

 

  blissful images 

I can't wait to see your question responses!
xoxo, Caylee

P.S.- Last night I crossed off #28 (seeing the Leonid Meteor Shower) on my "21 Things to Do Before I turn 21" list!

 

21 Things to Do Before I Turn 21

Who doesn't love creating lists? They can make you feel focused, energized, organized, and even inspired. I write them constantly; I think there is just something about seeing all of my thoughts down on paper that makes me feel in control. Today on one of my favorite blogs of all time, hula seventy, I was reminded of an ambitious list that I've always wanted to make... 21 things to do before I turn 21! Now the clock is ticking, and I have exactly ten months to complete my goals. I'm hoping that an actual list on my blog, which cannot be ignored, will make me more apt to check off every single thing. I am determined to do this right, and I'm feeling pretty motivated at the moment! So here goes...

                             

1. Finish writing the first draft of my novel.

2. Go to a concert at the 40 Watt Club.

3. Learn how to play a real song on my musical saw.

4. Have a "photography date" with Jacob in Athens.

5. Go on a hike at the State Botanical Gardens.

6. Read the last Harry Potter book.

7. Participate in 29 gifts.

8. Take a drawing class.

9. Try out for the Georgettes.

10. Find an interesting job or internship for over the summer.

11. Sell some of my clothes to Plato's Closet.

12. Visit my friend Megan in San Fransisco.

13. Make some homemade gifts for Christmas.

14. Try out some yoga classes.

15. Audition for a local play.

16. Do well in school.

17. Contact an old friend once a month.

18. Witness the Leonid Meteor Shower.

19. Plan a difficult yet exciting meal to cook.

20. Check out the comic book store and record store downtown.

21. Go on an afternoon picnic in North Campus.

                            

Oh man! I feel excited already... I can't wait to start crossing them out. Is there anything special that you want to achieve within the next year? I'd love to hear all about it! Also, let me know if you have any recommendations for experiences/activities I should try. I might just add it to my list!

xoxo, Caylee

Photo credit goes out to imfreelykeely, with her beautiful photography.

All is Complete

Have you been having Domino Magazine withdrawals? Well, I have. I began reading Domino when I was sixteen years old, and it completely stole my heart away. It was different from other design publications; the interiors were often more colorful, modern, or youthful and the things featured were much more affordable than in competitor's magazines. I swear, I would stay up into the wee hours of the morning flipping through Domino's pages. It truly made me want to be an interior designer.

So you can guess that when they shut down, I was incredibly sad. I lost my inspiration for interiors, and it has not been back since. Then, on Happiness Is..., I saw a link for what was described as "a place to get our Domino fix." Let me tell you, I checked it out, and Lonny Magazine is where it's at! It is seriously the closest thing possible to being Domino. Lonny just came out with its first issue, but it looks so fresh and pretty and full of potential on my computer screen that I think I may have found my new obsession. Enjoy it... I know I will!

Get excitied and tell me if you like it!

xoxo, Caylee