New Computer

I am now the proud owner of a new shiny purple (yes PURPLE) Dell laptop. This means I will be blogging more since my new computer doesn't make me want to throw it out the window. I will post a detailed update on my projects later.

I have returned!

I know, I know the point of a blog is to blog regularly. This is easier said than done when one's computer is a POS and can't do more than 1 thing at a time. It also freezes, makes scary beeping noises and gets REALLY hot when running. But never fear! A new computer has been ordered and is enroute. Once it arrives I will blog at least once a week and tell y'all about my latest project.

I am currently crocheting the motifs for this sweater:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3295801749599&set=a.2383807150304.263037.1104505534&type=1

I will post pics of the motifs once my new computer gets here.

My education.

I figured today's post would be about my education; specifically my costume work. I took extensive literature and theater courses SUNY Oswego. My focus was technical theater: costume construction and design. I took Costume Construction which was the basic sewing class my first semester. I was in the "advanced" group since I went into the class knowing how to sew. My final project was an Elizabethan "court" dress. I put quote in quotes since it is far from historically accurate and not anywhere near fancy enough to be actual court wear. I learned about pattern adjustments, the importance of a mock-up as well as a lot about running a show in this class. I also took Costume History which was basically a survey course in the history of clothing. It was a lot of fun and I would love to take more classes on the subject. I also took a Costume Design course which was also a lot of fun. I learned to read and analyze a script, plot out what costumes were needed and make sure the costumes reflected the characters.

A large part of the Theater experience at Oswego is working on the productions. I worked the wardrobe crew for MacBeth, The Apple Tree, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Renaissance Madrigal Banquet and Little Footsteps. Working wardrobe is handling the costumes for the actual run of the production. It incudes a lot of laundry, steaming and ironing and handling quick changes. I was assistant designer on Diary of Anne Frank and The Traveler. I did construction on too many other projects to name and also helped design a dance showcase. Oswego gave a lot of opportunities for budding designers with great mentoring and instruction. I had a lot of knowledge to take onto my two internships at Glimmerglass Opera and the Mac-Hayden Theater. I was wardrobe at Glimmerglass and did construction and design at the Mac-Hayden. Subsequently I have been sewing a lot for myself and work with the Ithaca Shakespeare Company.

While a lot of my sewing education came from my experiences at Oswego I have also learned a lot from books, blogs, and plain instinct. Some people are naturally talented and sewing is definitely my "natural" talent.

Movie: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

**Disclaimer** Please do not consider this a "movie review". I am not a trained critic and did not do things a critic does like not eat popcorn and take notes. This is simply my opinion on a movie I went into expecting to really like.

I saw this movie on January 22 with my Mom. Both of us have read the books in the Millennium Trilogy though Mom read them years ago when they first came out.

On to the movie: The opening credits where jarring with haunting music and slightly disturbing imagery. I read in an Entertainment Weekly interview with the director that he wanted to give a glimpse into Lisbeth's mindset and defining elements. I won't go into detail about the plot since you can get that in IMDB. This is not a movie for the faint hearted as evidenced by the R rating. There is sex, rape and violence all of which were, I think, tastefully handled. Nothing was overly gratuitous but I have a strong constitution for such things. The characters you should like are likeable and the characters you don't like are suitably horrid. The rapist-"advocat"-lawyer is especially nasty since he brutal assaults Lisbeth and then offers to drive her home. You can't help but give a little cheer when Lisbeth gets her revenge. The relationship between Lisbeth and Mikhail develops as they learn to trust each other. Daniel Craig isn't a bad looking guy but I wouldn't hop into bed with him, unlike Lisbeth. It is an interesting ending with the hero in trouble and Lisbeth coming to the rescue against a very, very bad man. There was a genuinely funny line when Lisbeth asks "may I kill him?" My answer was "hell yes!" I thought it was a great movie and did very well by the book. I look forward to watching the Swedish version with my Mom and launching a comparison.


The lovely Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander. The ears and eyebrow piercings were real as was one in her right nipple. I am not sure I would get a nipple piercing for a movie role but she so fully encompassed Lisbeth and made her such an unorthodox heroine it all worked out.