Do you Believe in Magic?

I kind of get tired of women's magazines. I mean how many more beauty tips can you come up with, really? So when I read Bust Magazinefor the first time I was totally excited that finally here was a magazine for college students and twenty-somethings that actually had something interesting to say. The August/September issue I just bought while I was up in Seattle had an article on how to be your own landlady, a few DIY projects, an interview with Eva Amurri (daughter of Susan Sarandon), a guide to new music and book releases, advice on choosing your first guitar, a photo story about "Little Edie" Beale, and a story about female stand-up comic Maria Bamford (check out the video below). There's a little bit of language and some stories I decided to gloss over, but overall Bust is cheeky, entertaining, a little rebellious, and full of a lot of woman power. I'm down with that.


Book of the Week: A World Lit Only by Fire by William Manchester. This book puts together an informal history of the Medieval Age that is very readable and intriguing, while still being super scholarly. I wrote a ridiculous number of papers last semester about medieval painters, literature, and theatre and I've always found this age in history to be SO interesting. I think you'll enjoy it too.

Weekend Plans: Ryan Horsfall is another one of those friends I like to brag about. Besides the fact that we're old friends, he's also a super-talented magician. As you may or may not know,

Garbeau's CEO Mark Ferreira and Magician Ryan Horsfall are teaming up to present a new and exciting show of magic and comedy. Ryan feels that life is too funny and too wondrous for anybody to go through his or her days without experiencing laughter and astonishment frequently. To help in this, Ryan created a new show. “Ryan Horsfall’s 60 Minutes of Magic” is an original comedy filled magic show based on this simple principle; let’s try and get audiences to laugh 60 times in 60 minutes all the while baffling them with jaw dropping magic. How jaw dropping? It’s magic you’ve never seen before, magic where racket balls appear suddenly, thoughts are read, cards appear in spectators’ pockets, and even water levitates. It’s magic that isn’t cheesy, comedy that isn’t blue, and a show that isn’t something you’re going to want to miss.

The show is playing Saturdays at 1:00 PM at Garbeau's Dinner Theatre on August 2nd, 9th, and 15th. See you there!

And my favorite...


Song(s) of the Day: Some of you might recognize Conor Oberst as the frontman from Bright Eyes (if you haven't heard "First Day of My Life" then you need to). Well, Oberst will be realeasing a self-titled album this August and all of his songs are streaming on his website. Also here's the press release:

Produced by Conor Oberst with the help of engineer and longtime associate Andy LeMaster, the album was recorded in Tepoztlán, Morales, Mexico. Creating a temporary studio in a mountain villa for a one-month period this winter, Conor and a tight-knit group of fellow musicians, who aptly call themselves The Mystic Valley Band, crafted a lush and beautiful record that evokes the deep sense of harmony in which they lived and worked during that month.

Enjoy!

Lots of Love and Magic,
Caitlin

Movie Making is Fun...Sometimes

Luckily, my first film experience has been nothing like this:


(From the set of I Heart Huckabees)

Song of the Day: "Nothing at All" by Wired All Wrong

When Opportunity Comes Knocking...

To put into words the crazy excitement of the last three days would be impossible, so I'm just going to give a quick summary for now. So at church on Sunday the pastor told everyone that a member of our church was about to start filming an independent film on Monday. The best part was that they were looking for volunteers. My ears perked up (which is surprising since my Sunday morning coffee hadn't kicked in yet) because I had no idea about the film and I thought I knew all about artsy goings-on like that. Needless to say, during the rest of the service I could hardly keep still. I wanted to know all about it and how I could be involved. Sunday night, my mom introduced me to Jodi, the wife of the writer of the screenplay/producer of the film (called, tentatively, "Wheel of Knowledge" by Mike Sewell), she told me to show up for the first production meeting Monday night! Ahh! So on Monday most of the cast (the ones who weren't flying out from L.A. later in the week) was there as well as the crew to have the first read through. I soon got the job and the title of Production Assistant along with one of my best friends, Kirsten. The actors read through the script (and I don't want to give too much away, but the most important part was that it's a movie with a great message and really touching characters). So by the end of the reading, Kirsten and I were wiping away tears and totally stoked to start working on what seemed to be the coolest summer volunteer job possible. And then of course, they tell us that crew call is at 6:30 am the next morning. Okay, maybe that part is not so cool. I don't think I've been up before 9:30 since I finished last semester. But, bright and early at 5:00 I woke up, got some coffee, and then hit the road to our location in Rocklin. The day lasted until almost 5:30 pm and was filled with unloading the equipment, hairspray runs, organizing the wardrobe, fixing make-up and hair, getting coffee and food to the actors and directors, running to the store for ice, moving furniture and lights, waiting, taking notes, fixing lunch with Jodi, more waiting, and getting to know everyone on the set. And today was supposed to be the easy day. So wish me luck! Tomorrow we have two locations, Thursday we have FOUR! The next few weeks are going to be busy, to say the least. I'll miss writing for Caffeine, but I'll be back soon!

Song(s) of the day: Okay, so during some down time on the set today, Kirsten and I started listening to the 7th Harry Potter book read by Jim Dale (like the proud Harry Potter lovers that we are). This reminded me of my (embarassingly?) large collection of wizard rock. Yes. Wizard Rock. Google it. Check it out. It will make you laugh. A lot. Accio Love by Ministry of Magic is probably my favorite. They also do a parody of "Here In Your Arms" by Hellogoodbye called "Here In Your Car" about Harry and Ron in the Ford Anglia. 

Lots of love and Lights! Camera! Action! 

Caitlin

Playlist Play-by-play

In Elk Grove, where I live when I'm not at school, there is what some would call limited entertainment. If you like shopping and going to parks, then Elk Grove is probably your Mecca, but I have to work a little harder to find exciting things to do. (Okay, we really do have some GREAT parks, I'll admit). One the whole though, I have to get creative with the stuff I do for fun in my hometown (the reason for the Weekend Plans section of this blog). However, I can say this: my one-stop, quick fix for many of my entertainment needs is Borders. Elk Grove has a pretty good one. I mean there's a fountain outside and everything! So in honor of the many trips to Borders I will make this summer, I decided to make a playlist for book browsing (Weird? Yes. Cool? Also, yes). So here's a list of what I put together: songs I like a lot, but ones that won't make me want to rock out (too much) or jump around (because no one wants to see that when they thought they could enjoy some peaceful book reading). Enjoy. And share some of yours!
:)


1. I'm a Bitch - Alanis Morisette (Because it feels a little naughty to listen to this song and then even naughtier to sing it out loud! But the message is still pretty good, so points for that).
2. Anyone Else But You -The Moldy Peaches (From the Juno Soundtrack, kinda...but you have to make sure you listen to the full version by Kimya Dawson...so funny!)
3. Falling - Ben Kweller (I just want to dance).
4. Someday Never Comes - Brandi Carlile (Why can't my voice sound like hers?!)
5. First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes (This song is on every playlist I ever make...no, really.)
6. I Fought The Law - The Clash (So it's on the Border's Playlist because you can totally rock out to this behind the bookshelves while reading magazines that you have no intention of buying!)
7. Lonelily - Damien Rice (He has a dreamy voice that is better than an iced latte).
8. No Sunlight - Death Cab For Cutie (I have no idea why I chose this song over the other ones on Narrow Stairs...but in my book (Ha! Get it?) they're all good, so it doesn't matter).
9. Invasion - Eisley (I don't know if I could honestly read while listening to this, but I love it anyways).
10. Mushaboom - Feist (I feel like you have to listen to this song while you're in the section with all the Stich n' Bitch books...why? I have no idea).
11. Almost Lover - A Fine Frenzy (Probably the most well known, but I can't get enough of this song. Uhh...maybe because it sometimes makes me think of my life. Sigh. Listen to it in the Romance Section, for sure!)
12. Indiana - Jon McLaughlin (He's pretty).
13. Let Go - Frou Frou (Ah! Love!)
14. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz (This song gets stuck in my head whether I like it or not, so it might as well be on here).
15. Sunday - Sia (I don't really know why I like this...)
16. Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop -  Landon Pigg (Okay, this really is my heart's song...and secretly the theme song for this blog).
17. This is Home - Switchfoot (New song! From Chronicles of Narnia, but still!)
18. Raincoat - Kelly Sweet (Sweet! Get her whole CD, actually, because her voice is so amazing and she sings in other languages).
19. One of the Boys - Katy Perry (I love her voice, but I just can't handle getting "I Kissed a Girl" stuck in my head so I chose this as the alternative).
20. Let's Call it Off - Peter Bjorn and John (I think this is just the right amount of mellow-ness for a book store).
21. Falling For You - Ronnie Day (I like the lyrics, fo sho!)
22. These Streets - Paolo Nutini (Ah! His name! His voice! This song! Can't get enough...so of course he has to be on here).
23. Photograph - Jamie Cullum (...This is not your daddy's jazz singer).
24. Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap (I can't help laughing at this song. I have no idea why. It has to be the opening line in the synthesized voice saying "Where are we? What the hell is going on?" Exactly).
25. Stop This Train - John Mayer (John Mayer was the soundtrack to summer '07 but then my car stereo got stolen with HIS CD IN IT!! So listening to it again this summer is a total throwback).
26. Leavin' - Jesse McCartney (What happened? He used to suck! I actually like this)!
27. Ordinary People - John Legend (His voice makes me melt into a puddle...which I guess wouldn't be the best thing to happen in Borders, but I don't really care).
28. Chicago - Sufjan Stevens (Very catchy! My best friend introduced me to this song).
29. Where Do I Go? (Acoustic) - Relient K (From their newest EP The Bird and the Bee Sides. Also the free download I mentioned in my previous post)!

Lots of Love and Endless Playlists,

Caitlin

A Quick Hi, Hello

I'm so excited about the Fourth of July this year. I can't wait to get to picnicing with all my friends and family. It's my first time celebrating the Fourth at home in about 6 years! Hooray for America!

Song(s) of the day: Relient K's new extended play album The Bird and the Bee Sides was released today! Check out the website, where you can follow the scavenger hunt clues to a free song download. The EP features 13 new songs as well as a ton of remixed, re-mastered favorites. 

Weekend Plans: 

The Annual Salute to the Red, White and Blue festival and fireworks display will be held on Friday, July 4th, at the Elk Grove Regional Park (9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road). The festivities begin at 3 p.m. with lively music, and will feature food, vendor booths and a kids’ activity area. A musical fireworks display will begin at 9:45 p.m.
Admission is free; parking is $10 per vehicle.

Also, check out the 4th of July Celebration at Cal Expo. Gates open at 6 with live music and dancing until the fireworks show at 9:30.

Lots of love and patriotism,

Caitlin