All Aboard the Hogwarts Express!

I bought my Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 tickets yesterday!

(enter screaming fangirl)

I'm talking about this now because if I get it all out of my system early, maybe I can avoid being freaky Harry Potter girl everywhere I go. I'm hoping to be able to carry on a normal conversation for the next 34 days without everything being about Harry. So please just put up with it.

My plans are pretty simple. Thursday, November 18th is line day. We are arriving at Harkins at 9am (when the doors open) with HP treats in hand. Then I have to leave to go to school from 10-1. :( I might try to get out of one class but I know I have to go to Geography... :(

I'm thinking of taking
Treacle Fudge---(aka regular fudge)
Pumpkin Pasties (if I can get the recipe figured out)
and maybe some other treats. I don't know.

Just so no one gets confused. These are the people going with our group.
1. Me
2. Ciara
3. Ashley
4. Mary
5. Michelle
6. John Paul
7. Jonathan
8.
9.
10.

An interesting view on Vampirism.

Sometimes the strangest things pop into my head. Today I was sitting at my house wondering if my birthday present from my dad (Vampire Diaries Season 1) had arrived yet. As I sad there I began thinking about how my mom rolls her eyes every time I find a nw show, book, movie, etc... that has a supernatural theme. I wished there was some redeeming quality to some of these shows and things I watch. The more I began to think, the more I found that Vampires are a lot like Christians. Here, in this post, I will discuss my odd ramblings and strange thoughts. I will be discussing why I decided to continue writing this essay instead of dismissing it as just another random thought, salvation, view of sin, reputatoins, the afterlife (and the after-afterlife), and ending with differences.
First, I must state that I know vampires are not real. Sill statement--I know--but I felt like it might be necessary. However, I do believe there are some seriously messed up, strange and misguided people in the world who do partake in the drinking of human blood but no matter what they believe, it does not give them any kind of supernatural talents. Also, I do not claim to know much about vampiresm their history, or their nature. Another thing I am not is a biblical scholar so bear with me a little. I know that sounds like a lot of excuses but all of this is to say: I am no expert nor do I preend to be one. These are simply my opinions.
In the bible while having the Last Supper Jesus instructs his disciples to eat of his flesh and drink of his blood. I know he says bread and wine and to do so as a symbol, but the question I sask is this: What is the beginning of "vampirism" is derived from someone who did not understand figurative speech. What if it was someone who misunderstood the scripture and took it a little bit too literally. What if this person actually believed Jesus was promoting the eating and drinking of flesh and blood as means to some kind of spiritual enlightenment. When I think about it--it almost makes sense. By watching and reading the Twilight Saga and Vampire Diaries Series I have had a change of heart on vampirism. I see them in a different light.
The first similarity between Christians and Vampires is the quest for everlasting life. Vampires and Christians alike have tasks they must accomplish ot obtain or achieve their goal. Much like Christians who seek everlasting life through baptism, vampires go through a similar transformation. They perform an act (the drinking of human blood) that will make them "reborn" as a vampire the way Christians believe that through baptism their sins will be washed away and they will be reborn as a saved soul.
Another similarity between Christians and Vampires is their views of their own sins. Both sets are intensely aware of the fact that they have sinned and will continue sinning until they die. They do what they can to right their wrongs and use personal experience to spread the word and evoke awareness in other people. Vampires like Stefan Salvatore from the Vampire Diaries and the Cullen Famiily in Twilight try to change th other Vampires from drinking Human Blood and to survive on the blood of animals. Christians use testimony to persuade other people to see the error in their ways by pointing out their own flaws and showing them that there is an alternative way of living. They use testimony to convince others to see the the light, turn, and repent.
This brings up another similarity. Both have been given a bad reputation. In these stories that I've read, there are "good vampires" and "bad vampires." The Cullens and Stefan Salvatore are forced to suppress who they really are because the "bad vampires" have the world living in fear, afraid of being eaten or sucked dry. Likewise, Christians get a bad reputation as well sometimes. There are those who lie, cheat, steal, curse, gossip and set a generally bad example (we all do some of those at some point--its part of being human) of what Christianity is really about. There are people in the world whose only exposure they have to Christians are the kind who take joy in shoving their beliefs down non believer's throats (which, by the way, is no way to reach out to people).
The afterlife is an interesting topic to think about. For Christians, we believe everyone will ultimately end up in either Heaven or Hell when all is said and done, but what do Vampires believe? I mean, technically speaking, this is their afterlife. They get neigher Heaven nor Hell, but what will happen to them in their after-afterlife? what will happen when they go out in the sun, when that wooden stake goes through their no longer beating heart? What will really happen when they are ripped apart and burned? I don't know what the typical answer is, but I know what Edward Cullen thinks. He believes he is doomed for Hell. However Carlisle, whose father was a minister, does not necessarily agree with Edward's spiritual views.
Now is the time I have set aside to discuss their differences. This isn't where I go into detail about the differences though. Afterall, the main point of this essay is to discuss eerie similarities. Obviously there are many differences. For starters, Vampires are fictional and Christians are actual. We live, they are undead. Their everlasting life is here on earth and ours is in Heaven with God.
Now I hope you have enjoyed this interesting point of view. I know this may go beyond the valley of the wierd for some of my readers, but for me this took some serious thought. I hope maybe I have helped some of you see that there are redeeming qualities in Vampire stories. Though they are just for fun, they can really make you think.

The 22nd Birthweek!

Starting tomorrow I will be kicking off birthweek celebrations! This certainly is turning into a busy week rather quickly! First, I'm hoping tickets to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will go on sale this week sometime. (side note: anyone wanting to go with me needs to let me know ASAP if I am getting a ticket for you!) Also this week is one of the things on my fall five: the return of good television...NO MORE RERUNS!!!! I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am! Also this week is my birthday, obviously....that's on Thursday. Thursday is probably the busiest day of the week. I have a quiz, a test, and I'm going to an advanced screening of Easy A. I've been wanting and waiting to see that movie for about a month and *hopefully* my screening passes will work. Tomrrow and Wednesday I'll be working up at my church. Friday I am having a dinner with some friends to celebrate my 22nd at Olive Garden. Then Saturday my whole family (including the beautiful baby Harper)

is coming over to our house for fun, food, and of course...some Cowboy Football. I'm so excited! This is going to be an amazing week! I've got a great family and some seriously wonderful friends and I'm so blessed to be able to celebrate another year with them!

Last week we had some family come in town from Hemet, California. My great uncle, Wayne and his wife, Audrey made their annual voyage east from Californ-i-a. We had a big family dinner and spent a lot of time catching up. They asked when I will be by to visit them again soon so maybe, just maybe I will be able to plan a California Dreamin' Roadtrip for sometime soon. Wouldn't that be exciting? I feel like I've been using the word "excite" a lot in this post...maybe it is time I learned some new adjectives. Maybe I should buy a thesaurus...

Anyway, it's been about a month since my last post and I just thought I would post a little update about what is going on in my life. I know i'm a little boring and I appreciate everyone's responces. I love hearing from you guys! I hope you all have a good week! I'll try to update again soon!

-Mattie

ps. if you are still looking for a gift for me I have gift lists at www.target.com and www.bathandbeyond.com just search for me! Mattie Gordon.

Mattie's Movies

Howdy folks! I'm heading to the lake this week with my Sunday School class and I have directed all of them to my blog to see my list of movies that I own so they can tell me which ones they want me to bring! Please don't make fun of them...some of them really are rather embarassing. I got them when I was younger...some of them I don't care if they are dorky. I'm posting both MY list and my Parent's list. Also, if you are reading this and have borrowed one of the movies I've marked as MISSING, please let me know as soon as possible.

10 Things I Hate about You
13 Going on 30(MISSING)
17 Again
21
27 Dresses
101 Dalmations
Angels and Demons
Accepted(MISSING)
Baby Mama
Batman Begins
Batman Forever
Batman and Robin
Beauty and the Beast
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Big Fat Liar
Billy Madison
Bring It On
Bruce Almighty
Bye, Bye Birdie
Cars
Catch Me If You Can
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Cheaper By the Dozen
Cheaper By the Dozen 2
Chicago
Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe(MISSING)
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian(MISSING)
Cinderella
A Cinderella Story
Collateral(MISSING)
College Road Trip
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
The Covenant
The Dark Knight
DaVinci Code
Disturbia
Dodgeball
Double Jeopardy
Drumline
Dukes of Hazzard
Elf
Elizabethtown
Ella Enchanted(MISSING)
Enchanted(MISSING)
Evan Almighty
Ever After
Faculty Follies 2005
Fantastic Four
Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride Part II
Fever Pitch
Finding Nemo
Finding Neverland
The First Wives Club
Flashdance
Flight 29 Down: Vol. 1
Footloose
Friends: The Complete Series
Freaky Friday(MISSING)
Gossip Girl Season 1
Gossip Girl Season 2
Hairspray
Happy Gilmore
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Haunted Mansion
High School Musical
Hocus Pocus
Holes(MISSING)
The Holiday
Home Alone
Hook
The House Bunny
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
iMemories
The Incredibles
The Invisible
It's A Wonderful Life
Jingle All the Way
John Tucker Must Die
Josie and the Pussycats
Juno
Just Friends
Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde
Little Black Book
The Little Mermaid
Little Women
The Longest Yard
Mean Girls(MISSING)
Meet the Fockers
Meet Joe Black
MIIB
Minority Report
M:I-2
Miss Congeniality
Mr. Deeds
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Mulan
Mulan 2
Murder by Numbers
My Best Friend's Wedding
Nancy Drew(MISSING)
Nanny McPhee
Napoleon Dynamite
National Treasure
National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets
Never Been Kissed
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Nim's Island
NSYNC: Live from Madison Square Gardens
Ocean's 11
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief
Peter Pan (animated)
Peter Pan (unanimated)
Pete's Dragon
Phonebooth
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Pocahontas
Princess Diaries
Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement
The Proposal
Radio
Red Eye
Remember Me
The Replacements
Return to Neverland
The Ringer
Risky Business
The Rocker
The Runaway Bride
The Santa Clause
Save the Last Dance
A Series of Unfortunate Events
She's The Man
Shrek
Shrek 2
Shrek the Third
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
Sky High
Sleeping Beauty
SNL: Best of Will Ferrell
SNL: Best of Will Ferrell Vol. 2
Spiderman
Spiderman 2
Starsky and Hutch
Step Up
Step Up 2: The Streets
The Stepford Wives
Stick It
Superman Returns
Superstar
Sydney White
Taken
Talladega Nights
That Thing You Do
Transformers
Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
Troy
The Truman Show
Twilight
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Twister
Valentine's Day
Varsity Blues
A Walk to Remember
The Wedding Planner

That's my list. Now I'm going to post my Mom and Dad's List

12 Angry Men
40 Year Old Virgin
500 Days of Summer
The Abyss
Alfie
Alien
All About Eve
All Quiet on the Western Front
Amazing Grace
American Graffiti
The Andy Griffith Show
Angels with Dirty Faces
Angels in the Outfield
Anger Management
Annie
August Rush
Bad Santa
Baitshop
Balls of Fury
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Best in Show
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Big
Black Beauty
Blast from the Past
The Blind Side
Boogeymen
The Book of Eli
The Brave One
Bruce Almighty
Bye, Bye Birdie
Captain's Courageous
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Christmas in Connecticut
A Christmas Story
Christmas Vacation
Cinderella Man
Citizen Kane
The Clearing
The Client
Coach Carter
Coma
Consenting Adults
Corpse Bride
The Count of Monte Cristo
Couples Retreat
Crazy Heart
Crimes of the Heart
Crossing Delancey
Crimes of the Heart
Dan in Real Live
Dave
Death to Smoochy
Deer Hunter
The Departed
Dial M for Murder
District 9
Disturbia
The Emperor's New Clothes
The End of the Spear
Enemy of the State
E.T.
Everybody Loves Raymond: The Complete Series
Facing the Giants
Family Man
Fargo
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Fawlty Towers
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Fiddler on the Roof
Fight Club
The Firm
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Flicka
The Forgotten
Foul Play
The French Connection
Fried Green Tomatoes
Friday Night Lights
Friendly Persuasion
The Fugitive
Garden State
Gettysburg
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters 2
The Gift
Gladiator
The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration
Gods & Generals
Gone with the Wind
The Goonies
Gran Torino
Greece
Gross Pointe Blank
Guarding Tess
Hancock
The Hangover
He's Just Not That Into You
The Hiding Place
High Crimes
The Hitchock Collection
Home Alone
Hoosiers
Hope Floats
How the West Was Won
Hush...Hush Sweet Charolette
In Her Shoes
Independance Day
Indian in the Cupboard
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Arc
Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The Informant
Inglourious Basterds
Inside Moves
Invincible
Iron Man
It Happened One Night
It's Complicated
The Story of Jacob and Joseph
Jaws
Jeff Foxworthy
Jeremiah Johnson
Jewel of the Nile
Jingle All the Way
Joyeux Noel
Julie & Julia
Kindergarted Cop
Kingdom of Heaven
Kiss the Girls
Kite Runner
A Knight's Tale
LA Confidential
Law Abiding Citizen
Leatherheads
Legends of the Fall
Les Miiserables
Life is Beautiful
Little Big Man
A Little Romance
Lonesome Dove
Lord of the Rings: Two Towers
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Love Actually
The Love Letter
The Lovely Bones
Mamma Mia
Man from Snowy River
Man on Fire
Marley and Me
Mary Poppins
The Matrix
The Matrix: Reloaded
The Matrix: Revolutions
Million Dollar Baby
Misery
Mr. Brooks
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Music and Lyrics
The Music Man
Mr. Mom
Murphy's Romance
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
My Fair Lady
My Utmost for His Highest
Narrow Margins
The Nativity Story
No Time for Sergeants
The Nutcracker
Oklahoma!
The Office Season 2
The Office Season 3
Old Yeller
Oliver!
On Golden Pond
Open Range
Parenthood
The Patriot
Pay It Forward
Pearl Harbor
The Pelican Briefs
Plain Truth
A Prairie Home Companion
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
The Princess Bride
Public Enemies
Pulp Fiction
The Rainmaker
Resevoir Dogs
Rocky I
Pretty Woman
The Quiet Man
Ratatouille
Rear Window
Rebecca
Remember the Titans
Return to Snowy River
Romancing the Stone
Roman Holiday
Rocky & Bullwinkle and Friends
The Rookie
Rudy
Rumor Has It...
RV
SNL Best of Chris Farley
School of Rock
Seinfeld Seasons 1&2
Seinfeld: Season 8
Star Trek
Shadrach
The Shawshank Redemption
Silverado
Simon Birch
The Sandlot
Seabiscuit
Sherlock Holmes
The Simpson's Movie
Sleeping With The Enemy
Slumdog Millionaire
Something's Gotta Give
The Sound of Music
South Pacific
Stand By Me
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
State of Play
Steel Magnolias
Sunshine Cleaning
To Kill A Mockingbird
Tombstone
Tommy Boy
Tombstone
Tootsie
Toy Story
Toy Story 2
UHF
The Untouchables
UP(MISSING)
Valkyrie
The Vicar of Dibley
Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Welcome to Mooseport
What About Bob
Where the Heart Is
White Christmas
The Wizard of Oz
Working Girl
Zombieland


OKAY Sunday Schoolers- leave me comments that say 1. your name, 2. your movie requests. and remember I'm leaving earlyish on Wednesday so no later than Tuesday night! See you friday night!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Okay! It's that time of year! People are asking me what I want for my birthday so I am posting on my blog everything I want! (And I would prefer people get ONLY what is on the list and don't try to get creative *mother*) So here goes.

I have made a few online registries and I would accept anything from any one of them.

-Target: I have 2 lists at target. 1. House Stuff 2. My Target Wish List
-Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

Then I also have places I wouldn't mind GIFT CARDS from.
-Jamba Juice
-Target
-Borders
-Barnes&Nobel
-Blockbuster
-Suncoast
-ULTA
-AMC
-Old Navy
-Best Buy
-iTunes

Then there are a couple things that are not on any registry that I would like to add.

PERFUME:
Nina by Nina Ricci
L by Gwen Stefani

MOVIES: (I prefer widescreen but it isn't a big deal--but if you were wondering...)
Butterfly Effect
Alladin
Casino Royale
Stardust
Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian
Snow White
When in Rome
Clash of the Titans (2010)
I Love You, Man
I Love You Beth Cooper
The Notebook
The Jungle Book
The Devil Wears Prada
Bride Wars
Date Night
Hocus Pocus
Halloweentown
Halloweentown 2: Kalabar's Revenge
Halloweentown High
Return to Halloweentown
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (we have all the others)
You've Got Mail
Titanic
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
License to Wed
The Mentalist (any season)
August Rush
Made of Honor
For the Love of the Game
The Game Plan
Sweet Home Alabama
National Lampoons Vacation
Vegas Vacation
A League of their Own
Signs
Lucas
A Little Princess
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels 2
Pleasantville
V for Vendetta
Inkheart
No Reservations
Penelope
Speak
Field of Dreams
Undiscovered
Stepmom
Shanghi Knights
Romeo+Juliet
The Secret Garden
Hangman's Curse
The Stepfather
Cellular
Prom Night (2008)
Coyote Ugly
Whip It
How to Deal
50 First Dates
Big Daddy
Pride and Prejudice (1995 version with Colin Firth)
Clueless
The Golden Compass

There are more...but I think that is enough for this year's list. Sorry so long. I obviously really REALLY love movies.


OTHER:
Zac Brown Band Tickets-Zoo Ampitheater Sept. 16 (my actual bday)
Oklahoma City Museum of Art Membership (i don't qualify for student because I'm not full time--the cheapest one I qualify for is $50)
-Jacob Black Cardboard Cutout :)

The Fall Five: 2010 Edition

Every year I pick out the top 5 movies, books, events, whatever...that I am looking forward to in the fall. This year it was especially difficult to narrow things down because there is SO MUCH going on and its all so exciting! I think I have finally narrowed my list down and come up with a satisfactory final product. Remember: even if something isn't on the list, that doesn't mean I'm not excited about it.


BOOKS: I always look forward to a good read. I still have SEVERAL books in my "to-read" pile but I am slowly and surely inching my way along. My current project is to reread the last 3 Harry Potter books before the new movie comes out (don't worry...I'll talk about that later) Here are the newest additions to my "to-read" list. These haven't been released yet, but they will be before you or I know what hit us!
1. Vanished is the next novel out by my favorite writer, Kate Brian (aka Kieran Scott...look her up I'm should be connected to her blog on here!) This book comes out August 31 and let me tell you, after the shocking cliffhanger at the end of Scandal I can't wait to see what happens next! I've been holding my breath since the spring waiting for this novel! Kieran's books always make my list....at least once! Usually 2 or 3 spots are taken up by her books....and this year is no exception!

2. Book of Spells is another book by Kieran...It is another prequel to her best selling (and way awesome) series "Private." There has been one prequel already giving background on why one of the main characters goes crazy... This one is going to be even better because we finally get some questions answered that Scandal brought to my mind. What is Billings really about? Is the spirit of Billings still alive---(no not in a ghostly way...) Has the original intent of the Billings Society been manipulated and misinterpreted...and in what ways...Book of Spells is like a historical novel for Private readers....I'm really looking forward to seeing how Billings was started and why. What is the purpose of the specific rituals?

MOVIES: AHHHH! My passion! Ask anyone and they will tell you , I am a true cinephile. I love anything and everything that has to do with movies. So of course, the newest releases are a staple on my Fall Five list. I am obsessed with film! I collect DVD's and spend way too much time and money at the movie theater...and I don't discriminate either! I'll go anywhere. AMC, B&B, Dickenson, Harkins, Silver Cinemas, Tinseltown, and hopefully one day soon I will have my very first "Warren Experience!" There are so many good movies coming out. This was the hardest section for me to Narrow....but alas, I had to choose my top 2 movies to put on the list. Here is what I have come up with.

3. Duh. Of course Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows would be the #1 movie on my list. After all...I am a self-proclaimed Potter genius and I have no problem admitting I have an obsession. Harry Potter is my favorite everything. Book series. movie series. scene it game....I've named pets after characters from the books (my bird was Ronald Bilius Weasley Gordon). I have dressed up as characters for Halloween (Bellatrix Lestrange...complete with Dark Mark temp tattoo on my forearm.) I've flown to Minneapolis, Minnesota for an opening day showing, been to midnight movie showings and midnight book release parties. I've even taken part in a wizards duel! (using sparklers on 4th of july several years ago!) I have special edition DVD's and all the books in hardback, paperback, and audiobook format, and you can bet anytime there is a Harry Potter weekend on ABC Family, that I'll be watching. The seventh book in J.K. Rowling's best selling series, Deathly Hallows, has been divided into 2 movies (which they should have been doing all along) is hitting theaters November 19th. There is no way I won't be at a midnight showing. NO. FREAKING. WAY.

4. The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader-December 25. This series by C.S. Lewis is so great for everyone. Kids, teens, and adults alike can enjoy this series. Everyone on the planet should read it once before they die! I have all these books too...and the audiobooks. There are 7 books in all. Usually I would suggest reading books chronologically, but I am breaking my rule for this and suggest you do too. I would read 1. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. 2. Prince Caspian 3. Voyage of the Dawn Treader. 4. The Silver Chair. 5. The Horse and His Boy 6. The Magician's Nephew. 7. The Last Battle. Magician's Nephew is written as a prequel to LWW but it really doesn't make much sense if you try to read it first. When I first read the series I tried starting with MN but spend the majority of the book asking lots questions and doing a lot of googling. So READ AS-WRITTEN...NOT CHRONOLOGICALLY!!!!!! Anywho, the new movie comes out on Christmas Day! My whole family loves Narnia (or Narnicle as my dad would call it) and we always try to watch a movie on Christmas so I would be willing to bet we end up voyaging out to see this flick (unless a freak storm ruins Christmas again)

TELEVISION: If you haven't heard by now, I watch A LOT of television. Thank God for DVR because I would never be able to watch everything if I couldn't fast forward through all those commercials....

5. The final thing I am excited about this fall is the return of "normal televison." I hate that all the good shows go on hiatus during the summer months and they leave me to choose between the re-runs I've seen time and time again, or trash TV reality shows like Big Brother (which I admit I have a love/hate relationship with...it is my guilty pleasure) I miss Gossip Girl the most though. I'm about to break out my DVD's and have a catch up Party. We are gonna watch seasons 1, 2, and 3! Then Season 4 starts September 13th! (3 Days before my birthday! Expect my full wishlist to pop up on this blog sometime this week!) Rumor has it that season 4 is going to be a lot better than season 3...thank goodness...it was beginning to get a little boring. Blair loves Chuck, Chuck loves Blair, no one know, fewer care, Dan is lost withough Serena, Bart Bass dies, why won't Georgina? Lily and Rufus can't figure things out. Nate is clueless...without a doubt. And then there's skanky "Little J" I wish she would move to Hudson and stay.

And thus concludes my annual "Fall Five" list. I hope you enjoyed my little Gossip Girl poem there at the end....no actually, I hope you enjoyed the entire post...not just the poem. That is a lot to read if you only came for the poem.

-Mattie.

Working Hard? Hardly Working.

Well..I guess technically I've been hardly working lately. But in my time without a job I have kept my mind busy. I've been working on a project I call my Me Book. My me book has all kinds of things about me in it. One page are cutouts and stickers of things about me. Words that describe me or my philosophies. Other pages have pictures of things I hope to own someday. I have everything from Rosetta Stone (so I can learn french!) to KitchenAid Standing Mixers to sights I want to see (Like Big Ben in London!) I've even got pictures of the 2 fish I hope to own someday, Francis and Wilhelm (pronounced Froncis and Vilhelm). The page I've been working on recently is my Bucket List page. There are lots of things I hope to accomplish. Right now there are 16 things on my list and only 1 of them have I accomplished. I need to get a move on! Here I have decided to share my list with you all today.

1. Befriend a Celebrity--not sure this will actually happen but with technology today, who knows, right? Maybe I will visit California again sometime soon and "accidentally" bump into one. Lol!

2. Be first in line for a midnight movie premiere.--On March 11, 2010 I was first in line to see Robert Pattinson's "Remember Me" completing this wish.

3. Be thanked at an awards show--again. Another unlikely one but who knows. Maybe I'll even win an award depending on how this next entry goes!

4. Publish on of my stories.--It has been a lifelong goal since I was about 12 so doing this would really mean a lot to me.

5. Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.--I consider myself to be somewhat of a Harry Potter expert so going and existing in his world would be one of the highlights of my life. The books changed my life and set me on a path. I owe a lot to that fictional wiz kid.

6. Travel to London.--I have been talking about going to LondonTown for many many many years and to actually go and see anything and everything I have dreamed would probably kill me I would be so giddy.

7. Travel to Greece--I think it would be so amazing to visit a place like Greece. There is so much culture and history and beauty all in one place and I can't wait to go!

8. Visit the Lourve--there are no words.

9. Throw a fancy dinner party--I could do this at any time...but that would require I have more friends than I actually have, more money than I currently possess, and better cooking skills than I have aquired to date.

10. Watch the RedSox play at Fenway Park in Boston.--I love Boston. I love baseball. I love the BoSox. 'nuff said.

11. Visit New York City--The real-life Gotham is (as Jay-Z and Alicia Keys say) a "concrete jungle where dreams are made of." Every american should visit the city once in their life (so I hear) so naturally it is on my list.

12. Buy a new car. Preferably an Aston Martin or a Lamborghini....but I'll settle for anything new. I just want a car that has no history. I want to make history. Not be just another notch on the belt.

13. Take a convertible on a roadtrip--sure it will mess up my hair but I would gladly trade my 'do for a ponytail to drive cross country in a convertible. It just seems like "The Great American Roadtrip" should be done right, and by done right, I mean with you best friends and your GPS.

14. Go to the Coachella Music Festival.--Everyone who is anyone goes to Coachella. I know because I read that on twitter. So it seems like the perfect place for wannabe up-and-comer's like myself and future somebodies of America to rub elbows with society's elite. Plus you get to hang out and listen to some really great music!

15. Go to the South Beach Food and Wine Fesival--As you can tell, I like festivals...and I love food...so I felt it was only necessary that I attend one of the biggest food festivals around. I just heard about this festival yesterday on the food network. This is basically just a big party for all the food network stars to come and share their gifts. Duff Goldman. I want some of your cake.

16. Visit the Library of Congress--I like books a lot. And this is the biggest library around so you probably understand why this is on my list.