Please check out my deviant art site, and lemme know what you think. Comments are SUPER appreciated!

shanabanana922.deviantart.com

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Where: home

Currently Reading: “Dead until Dark” by Charlaine Harris

Currently listening to: “Big Shot” by Billy Joel

Current Nail Polish Colour: really chipped pink shimmer

SO I just recently saw the TMZ story  about Kristen Stewart doing an interesting activity – sitting in from of her home (in public) smoking a very curious looking pipe (what was in it, I’m not totally sure). Now it’s pretty common knowledge that I’m not a very big K. Stew fan, but I have no issue with her smoking. Everyone needs to wind down, and if that’s your method, then fine. What I do have an issue with is her doing it on her front porch in front of everyone, including a bajillion little girls who practically worship the ground she walks on. I’m not sure if she’s aware of the massive stardom she’s reached by doing Twilight. She’s not a normal person anymore. She’s a super-celebrity, and any girl who saw Twilight wants to be her. And like they say, monkey-see monkey-do. Kids are going to think that since Bella smokes, it’ll be okay. And I know that people are gonna respond to this post, saying it’s bullshit and that kids aren’t that stupid, except the thing is, they are. A few years ago, I would have been one of the psycho Kristen fans. It hasn’t been that long since I was an impressionable little kid, so I know what I’m talking about. Please, Kristen, think of your fans. THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!

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Where: home

Currently Reading: “Dead until Dark” by Charlaine Harris

Currently listening to: “Johanna” from Sweeney Todd

Current Nail Polish Colour: really chipped pink shimmer

Kristen Stewart Smoking

Kristen Stewart Smoking

Kristwn Stewart Smoking

WOOHOO! I just got back from my first play practice for the show I was just cast in, Be Still and Know, which is the world-premiere adaptation of Alex Sanchez’s novel, The God Box. For those of you unfamiliar with the novel, (which, as fate would have it, is the majority of the universe), it is the story of evangelical christian teens living in Abilene, Texas, dealing with their faith and homosexuality. I play Angie (the female lead, thank you, thank you!), who is the lead characters girlfriend, and I think that the timing of this show is impeccable. With the passing of Prop 8, I think that California needs a nice dose of humanity. The show does a beautiful job of defending homosexuality with the bible, the very thing most commonly used to condemn it, including Leviticus 18:22 (“Thou shalt not lie with a man as with a woman, it is an abomination”), to which Carlos (Manuel) Cordero, and openly gay, Christian teen in the play, responds, “The Bible also say that eating shellfish is an abomination… Does anyone who eats shrimp commit a lesser crime than homosexuality?”. The show is smart, and powerful, and will cause many people to reconsider their beliefs about homosexuality. 

In my nice little Sacred Heart high school, though in one of the most liberal places in the world, San Francisco, this show is causing a remarkable amount of controversy (which those of us in the show are LOVING… everyone speaking out against it is just igniting interest in it). Parents are protesting it, teachers are confused by it, and student are just avoiding the topic all together. This controversy has the sparked the interest of a filmmaker, who has decided to film a documentary about it.

Anyone in the California Bay Area who is interested in seeing it can just email me – shannonc@shschools.org, subject “Be Still and Know” and I will get back to you about ticket information.

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Where: home

Currently Reading: “Dead until Dark” by Charlaine Harris

Currently listening to: “Once & for All” by the Foo Fighters

Current Nail Polish Colour: Pink shimmer

   So my school’s newspaper is called the Heartbeat (a Sacred Heart school, Heartbeat… it’s supposed to be clever), and this year a group of kids started an independent newspaper called the Flatline. And while most of the writers are writing about sports scores, the newest rap album, and crazy new school policies, I am being daring and radical writing mine as a review of Spring Awakening. Now here’s what I need form all of you out in TV Land!

1. Please read it over and give me your honest opinion. I don’t care if you tell me I suck and should crawl into a hole and never write again, or if it’s the most fabulous piece of editorial writing you’ve ever read and you’ll draw me up a contract with the New York Times. Just tell me what you think.

2. Give me a quote about your honest opinion of the show.

Thanks! (It’s not done yet, btw…)

         “As the lights in the house dimmed, the lights on stage rose and the opening violin chord sang through the theater, I feel my heart begin to race. I was about to witness what had been described as “the best new musical of this generation”. I am, of course, talking about Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik’s riveting new musical adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s most famous and controversial play. The musical takes the plot of a repressed society in 19^th century Germany and juxtaposes it with a modern score and choreography. It tells the story of Melchior Gabor, the brilliant, rebellious heartthrob who’s insatiable thirst for knowledge often gets him in trouble, and his journey from childhood to adulthood through sexual awakening. With an all-star cast featuring Kyle Riabko (Instant Star; “The Parkdale Sessions”), Blake Bashoff (Lost), and Steffi D (5^th runner up on Canadian Idol), it’s no wonder the touring cast has been such a success here in San Francisco. But even more than that, it’s probably because it appeals to a mass audience different from that of many of the shows on Broadway right now – teenagers. Teenagers have been flocking to theaters all around the country to see this new phenomenon. “It related to every single thing a teenager has to deal with and I connected so strongly to it,” CJ Morrison says, and with good reason. It deals with everything we may be encountering now or in the near future– school issues, sex, and most of all, our lackluster relationships with our parents.”

I FINALLY SAW SPRING AWAKENING! I saw it at the Curran Theatre, and it was AMAZING! I was amazed at how the songs truly come to life, and the passion behind every song. I found myself in tears twice, and in utter shock by the end. I nearly cried out of joy when the show began, just because I was so excited to see it (I did cry with the Sweeney Todd revival cast, which is a little embarrassing, but true). Kyle Riabko and Blake Bashoff ROCKED, but Christy Altomare, though fabulous, lacked something. She had an amazing voice, but I didn’t feel the passion that I felt with the other leads. Plus, everyone was so nice at the stage door, particularly Sarah Hunt (Martha), Andy Mientus (Hanschen), Ben Moss (Ernst), and Kyle Riabko (Melchior). Then, later, as we were waiting for my dad to bring the car around, we ran into most of the cast on their way to Max’s, and just struck up a conversation. Anyway, I now feel complete, or, as I heard a girl say while leaving the theater, “My life has been forever changed.”

Me and Kyle Riabko

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Where: home

Currently Reading: The God Box by Alex Sanchez.

Currently listening to: “Touch Me” from Spring Awakening

Current Nail Polish Colour: A purply grey with brownish orangey shimmer and confetti glitter stuff

I finally saw Grey Gardens a little less that a week ago. It is VERY cool. The first act lags a bit, but has some stellar songs (“Daddy’s Girl” and “Two Peas in a Pod” are two fabulous examples), but the second act is FABULOUS! The songs are amazing, with dark undertones, very reminiscent of Sondheim (always a favorite), and the acting is phenomenal! 

For those who don’t know, Grey Gardens is the story of Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edie Beale, aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who shut themselves us in their decaying estate, Grey Gardens, with 60 cats. These women are utterly fascinating. What would make two outgoing, beautiful, talented women recluse themselves in their massive estate? Big Edie was a singer from a wealthy family, and Little Edie was a beautiful, flirtatious model/singer once engaged to a Kennedy! It is fascinating, interesting, and made me want to come home and do my research! And I found that there will be a movie adaptation coming starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. Hmmm… Drew? Really? I mean, she’s very cute, but Little Edie is such a powerful and difficult role. And Drew’s not really and AMAZING actress. She’s a fine actress, probably better than me, but can she handle Grey Gardens? I dunno, but I’m rooting for her!

Drew as "Little" Edie Bouvier Beale

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Where: homee

Currently Reading: The God Box by Alex Sanchez.

Currently listening to: “I Am Aldolpho” from The Drowsy Chaperone

Current Nail Polish Colour: A purply grey with brownish orangey shimmer

The world is a sad, sad place for me right now. I NEED Midnight Sun. I CRAVE it. And I am being denied it. If you have a soul, please join this group on Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24938534129&ref=ts

So I know you all know what the deal is – some one betrayed Stephenie Meyer’s trust and leaked the draft of the book onto the internet. It’s a truly traumatizing experience. For me. Not having Midnight Sun. WAAAAAH.

Anyway, I got a Twilight “Team Edward” shirt at hot topic, and it’s fabulous. I got so many compliments on it, but it sparked an interesting discussion. For us crazy Twilight fans, at least. Why does nobody like Jacob? Everyone’s on Team Edward (ME TOO!), and I sorta feel bad for Jacob. ALL YOU JACOB FANS, COMMENT PLEASE! 

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Where: Mi CASITA

Currently Reading: The God Box by Alex Sanchez.

Currently listening to: “I Know the Truth” from Aida

Current Nail Polish Colour: Horribly chipped teal… yuck.

Today I went to this thing at the Curran Theater in San Francisco. It was this special thing where the producers, directors, and Steven Sater came and talked about the creative process that lead to beatiful thing that is Spring Awakening. It was awesome. Sadly, I have yet to even see the show, but I knew enough about it that I could follow perfectly fine. They talked about how the show appealed more to young people than to older people, but I say that’s not true. I think that Spring Awakening is for my generation what Hair was for my mother’s generation (Ironically, Jonathan Groff, who originated the role of Melchior on Broadway, is now in Hair). I think that it opens up a dialogue between children and their parents. Though in a rather exaggerated way, we go through many of the things that Melchior, Wendla, and Moritz go through. We have questions, confusion, we want to do thing, try things, and learn about things. I think the show will broaden the minds of those who see it, and encourage people to talk with their kids and teach them the things they need to know.

If only I could see it already…

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Where: Home, sweet, home

Currently Reading: The God Box by Alex Sanchez.

Currently listening to: “Yesterday” by the Beatles

Current Nail Polish Colour: TEAL!!

I am FREAKING out waiting for Breaking Dawn to come out, and I feel like I’m gonna DIE! I have now decided that I can never date anyone again in my life because I’m in love with a character in a book. Wow, I’m pathetic. People say Jacob Black is hot. Yeah, I guess, but seriously though, Edward is AHAMHZINGG! Wow…

The movie. Bleh. I am SO mad the the casting choices. Kristen Stewart as Bella? YUCK! She’s incredibly talented, btu she’s NOT BELLA. Plus she’s so blase about the whole fame of the book. In one interview, she said “Yeah. I guess the books are pretty famous. I’ve never heard of them, but… yeah…” Wouldn’t you think that as soon as you were cast as the lead role in a movie based on a book, the first thing you would do is go out and READ THE BOOK? Well, at least, that’s what I do… Am I crazy? Jasper looks SUPER femme, and Rosalie isn’t pretty enough. Alice is too tall, Emmett’s hair is WAY too short, and I’m too demanding XD.

Ugh, I’ll just go back to my little world now…

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Where: HOME

Currently Reading: Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi

Currently listening to: “Summer, Highland Falls” by Billy Joel

Current Nail Polish Colour: Silver

So I’m STILL in Piura (until tomorrow), and I’m SICK. I ate some weird candy and now I feel like my insides are going to explode.

FUN!

What makes things worse is that this is the first day I’ve been feeling well in two days. Tuesday night I got really sick, then I was in bed with the stomach flu for two days. Today I feel great, then just before lunch, my stupid dad gives me some stupid candy and I’m sick again. Blah.

Anyway, so through my boredom I was flipping through the Peru tourism guide my mom bought (which was stupid because we don’t do anything tourist-y on a mission trip), and I found an interesting fact about Peru. Peru has the second best Chinese food in the world. After China, I’m guessing. What a random thing. WOuld you ever in a million years guess that Peru has good Chinese food? I had some the other day. It’s pretty decent, but I dunno if it’s the second best in the world. I personally think Su Hong is the second best Chinese food in the world (maybe if I say that I’ll get some free chow mein).

So, the moral of the day is don’t eat weird Peruvian candy.

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Where: Piura, Peru

Currently Reading: Lolita, Anna Karenina, and The Scarlet Letter.

Currently listening to: “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya” by the Dropkick Murphys

Current Nail Polish Colour: Slightly chipped blue :[