Marni's World by Marni | English, baby! Blogs

I'm a-Going Peeping!

Marni — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:51:20 GMT

I'm a-Going Peeping!

One of the things I love about being an English, baby! cast member is how much I learn from my fellow cast members. At our most recent shoot, we discussed the beauty of fall and I learned of the term "leaf peeping." I thought it was some new dirty term for voyeurism, but as it turns out, I am a leaf peeper. Leaf peeping is the act of traveling to see fall leaves changing color.

Now, I have been thinking a lot about this since that fall is in full swing here in the US. I love the change of seasons and am usually fully aware of the first signs of fall. This year, however, fall sneaked up on me. That is to say, I have been so busy I hadn't even noticed that all the leaves changed colors. This worries me. Leaf peeping is one of the simplest and easiest ways one can still interact with nature. It is a time to behold the wonder of nature. I, like many people, have been so caught up in my daily life that I hadn't even noticed this phenomenon-taking place. It was as if someone turned a switch this year and all of a sudden everything was orange, yellow, and red instead of green. Am I really so detached from what is going on outside my door that something as obvious as the change of seasons has alluded me this year?

Due to this recent revelation, I have made a vow to embrace my inner leaf peeper. I plan to actively go out to a remote area, which isn't hard to do here in Portland, and take the time to observe the beauty of fall. I have decided I will make it an annual event much like we did as a family growing up in New England where the changing of the leaves is practically an industry since so many tourists come to see the beautiful trees.. I will take a day to go out and enjoy the wonders that nature provides because it is a remarkable occurrence and one that is worth peeping at.

Something Scary This Way Comes

Marni — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:49:26 GMT

Something Scary This Way Comes

October has been my favorite month ever since I was a little girl. Back then, it was for the selfish reason that it's my birth month. Now, as an adult, I have come to love October because, in honor of Halloween, October equals scary movie month.

I don't know what it is about scary movies but I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!! I can't get enough. I often wonder if there is something wrong with me. I mean why do I like horror films so much? I am not a violent person. The sight of blood makes me queasy. So why is it when it is on the big screen, it is all OK and even appealing? I don't have an answer but I do have some favorite horror films. So if you, like me, have an inkling towards the macabre, here are five films I'd recommend viewing.

1. The Shining - This movie never ceases to be scary. It is a classic Stanley Kubrick film based on the novel by Stephen King. It stars Jack Nicholson and he has never been better or scarier. If you take away one thing and one thing only from this film it's, REDRUM!

2. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Original version) - The remake was terrible so if you have never seen the original 70's film, you must. Texas has always seemed a little scary and this film confirms it. Now whenever I hear a chainsaw fire up, I bolt!

3. Ils (Them) - This is a French-Romanian horror film that blew me away when I first saw it. It is based on actual events (which always makes things scarier) and is 77 minutes of pure fear. I watched the entire film through a slit in my fingers with my hands across my face in a fetal position. No Joke!!!!!

4. The Descent - Spelunking has always terrified me but this film assured me that I will never go crawling around in caves. My God, women can be so cruel, especially when they don't know who or what is watching them!!!!

5. Halloween - Again, the original Halloween, not the remake. I haven't seen the Rob Zombie version but I always believe you shouldn't mess with a good thing and believe me; the original is a good thing. Jamie Lee Curtis stars in this film and she is brilliant as the sister of the crazed killer who enacts revenge on her. Watch it this month in honor of Halloween if you dare!!!

John Hughes: Death of a Teen Icon

Marni — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:31:12 GMT

John Hughes: Death of a Teen Icon

When we get together to discuss topics for English lessons, it seems that lately I am constantly bringing up celebrities who've passed away as potential topics. There have been a lot of celebrity deaths this summer, but one that has me particularly saddened is the passing of filmmaker John Hughes. We did not do a lesson on John Hughes because our main man Jason, said, "Who's that?" If you, like Jason, have no idea who John Hughes is, then I suggest you run to your local video store, netflix cue, or whatever means you use to watch movies these days, and watch one of his films.

John Hughes defined what it meant to be a teenager in the '80s. Most of his films were stories about American teenagers sifting through the emotional filth of being a teenager. Some of his classics are Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

If you haven't seen any of these films, then I might suggest starting with The Breakfast Club. The Breakfast Club is a classic because of its central message. The film is about five teenagers serving a Saturday detention. Each character is the embodiment of a certain high school stereotype. You have the popular girl, the jock, the nerd, the weirdo girl, and the burnout or "criminal" as he is referred to in the film. Throughout the movie these five teens realize they have more in common than they thought and they come to rely on each in ways they never imagined. I think that this film stands the test of time, even though it was made in 1985, because teenagers today still grapple with the same issues of fitting in and feeling like outcasts.

John Hughes was a film maker who made being a teen more manageable for those of us growing up in the '80s and '90s. His style is unlike any teen movie or shows being made today. He will be missed but his legacy will live on in his films.

Waste Not, Compost Now!

Marni — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:43:56 GMT

Waste Not, Compost Now!

Ah, my morning ritual...peel a banana, peel an orange, and maybe add some fresh berries to my cereal. When it comes time to clean up, where does a conscientious gal put her food scraps? Why, in the compost bin of course.

I have been composting for at least 8 years. It is a no-brainer for me, meaning it is so easy it is like breathing, but many people still throw their food waste into the garbage creating more waste, and more methane gas in landfills. Composting is one of the best things you can do to cut down on waste and it has the added benefit of providing soil for the plants and the vegetables I grow in my garden.

Here on the west coast of the United States many businesses are starting to look into composting to reduce waste. In my city, Portland, Oregon, I have the pleasure of working for some companies that do just that. But San Francisco just made it a law to compost to reduce waste! I know that this is already the case in many European countries and perhaps our better-educated members can let me know some other countries that have the infrastructure in place to collect composting as well.

I hope to see this composting trend increase as we look to see what ways we as humans can cut down on our waste output. It is a very easy and effective way to recycle. There are many ways to do it, so figure out what works best for you and start composting today!

Brides, bridesmaids, and me

Marni — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:01:05 GMT

Brides, bridesmaids, and me

There is a saying in America that goes ... "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride." It is a saying supposedly uttered by lamenting women everywhere as they are in yet another wedding party as a beautiful bridesmaid but not a beautiful bride. Is being a bride supposed to be the ultimate achievement for a woman? As someone who has been both a bridesmaid and a bride, I beg to differ.

In America I believe the stats are that one in three marriages ends in divorce. I think people, women in particular, are more excited about weddings than they are about marriages. I have made that mistake and to that I say, never again.

So this summer as I go to yet another wedding I will sit and root for the happy couple because, despite what you may think, I am a believer in love. I will be grateful that I am a mere spectator and not in front of everyone in uncomfortable shoes trying to suck in my gut and look "perfect." I will sit back and relax because I am there to support the couple as people embracing a future of uncertainty. I will look at the bride and smile and hope that she is one lady beating the odds. I know it isn't romantic, it's just reality.

Just Can't Get Enough

Marni — Tue, 12 May 2009 03:08:16 GMT

Just Can't Get Enough

I am still shocked by the fact that Depeche Mode, a band that I have loved for longer than some of you have been alive, is doing its first ever arena tour. It seems surprising to me that a band of their caliber is doing its first arena tour ever, but perhaps I misjudged their stature. I'll admit I haven't been as up to speed on their more current efforts , but whenever I listen to them I am instantly transported back to my teenage bedroom listening to DM on cassette tape and dreaming of what is to be. I associate them so much with a certain period of my life that they are an incredibly nostalgic band for me.

I am a fan of their earlier work, meaning most of the albums that came out in the 80's. Their first release, Speak and Spell, has what I'd probably consider my favorite Depeche Mode song. Hint: It's the one for which this blog is named after. I would have to say that my favorite albums are Music for the Masses and Black Celebration.

So here's to Depeche Mode for getting me through heartache, break -ups, crushes, and changes. For a band that has been around for nearly 30 years, it seems to be about time that they synth-rock the arena world.

A Teacher Asks, "What Makes a Good Teacher?"

Marni — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:46:27 GMT

A Teacher Asks, "What Makes a Good Teacher?"

My conversation with Devan was very near and dear to my heart. I believe that the profession of teaching is one of the most important professions there is. There really are very few jobs that have such a global effect. So I have been pondering this question, What makes a good teacher good? I think it has to do with being passionate about your subject matter as Devan mentioned in our conversation, but it also has to do with truly loving to work with students.

I work with six and seven year olds and while they are adorable, sometimes it sucks the life out of me. Some days I think I will never be able to do my job again. Then I go back and I will have had some small moment of connecting with a child that makes all the difference in the world. The fact of the matter is, it is those small moments of helping a child understand a concept or seeing them make gains in their reading or speech that are so gratifying. They make up for all of the challenging aspects of teaching.

Now, I know that college professors are a different beast altogether and most of you reading this are at that point in your academic career. For a moment now go back and think about all of the teachers you had growing up. If you had a lot of good teachers throughout your formative years, then you probably have a much easier time succeeding in your continuing education. I also bet that most of your good teachers really loved working with kids.

I'd like to close by mentioning one of my favorite bumper stickers that I see on cars here in the U.S.. It says, "If you can read this, thank a teacher." Teachers are a vital part of society and they are very under appreciated. So here in my blog, I'd like to take a minute to salute all of the good teachers out there for doing great work.

The Funny Making of the Coma Scene

Marni — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:17:03 GMT

The Funny Making of the Coma Scene

OK, so I know that comas are about the most unfunny thing in the world, but filming the coma episode with Beren and Jason was a laugh riot. Is that terrible? Well perhaps, but seeing a coma victim wrap himself in paper towels and suspend himself in mid air is far more funny than tragic. In an effort to educate our dear users we lost it about seven times before we were finally able to get through a minute of filming without busting a gut, (that's a euphemism for laughing). My favorite part was trying to relay how Jason ended up in a coma (because he slipped on a banana peel) and even Alexis, who was working the camera, started laughing causing the camera to shake.

You see we may not be the best of actors, but we sure know how to make a coma a good time!

Confessions of a Cry Baby

Marni — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:16:08 GMT

Confessions of a Cry Baby

I ended my conversation with Mason about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by slyly dropping that I had cried during the film. What I didn't mention was that I actually cried for the entirety of the film. With a running time of almost three hours, you can imagine what I looked like by the time the credits rolled. I don't know if it was me or the message I took from the film, but it deeply affected me. It made me think about mortality, lost opportunities, and true love. By the time the ugly old man baby was born, there were some serious water works!

Anyhow, it should be noted that I cry a lot during movies. Even films like Hancock make me cry. Yes you read that right, Hancock. So if you, like me, are a cry baby, then The Curious Case of Benjamin Button may just send you over the edge.