An Ode to OITNB

  There have been mixed reviews of the recently released third season of Netflix’s hit series Orange is the New Black, at least among my friends, but nevertheless I want to tell you a few reasons why I think season 3 rocks. (Warning, mild spoilers ahead! I mean, not really...but if you don’t say spoilers ahead then people get pissed.)

Two words (repeated over and over again): Character development, character development, character development.

1. In season 3, our girl Piper Chapman is no longer the main character. She's no longer the one you root for, or the one you relate to. And you know why that's huge? Because it proves that middle class white women aren't the only characters on TV we care about. Furthermore, the success of the show demonstrates that there’s hope (and a market) for diversity in media.
2. Humanization. My favorite thing about this show has always been that everyone has a backstory, and everyone gets to have that story told. And even in season 3, I feel like this formula works. The characters that you have loved to hate in the previous two seasons suddenly get these complex pasts, and I just think that's really important. In my opinion, telling human stories is the obligation of shows like this. Because if you don't use your platform to humanize and educate, then what's the point? 
3. This show turns the age-old character hierarchy on its head, and reverses all stereotypes. Suddenly men are the ones reduced to being those unimportant side-characters, those characters who you don’t care about as much. And frankly, it's about goddamn time. 
4. This show has always been so culturally relevant, and the third season is no exception. From introducing gender-fluid Ruby Rose, to commenting on religion and making light of institutionalized misogyny, rape culture/victim blaming, and racism, this show is both culturally relevant and socio-politically intelligent.

  To summarize-- sure, the story may have changed a little from what we all fell in love with in season 1, but shouldn't it? If it didn't evolve, all we would be talking about is how it's the same old, same old. What's great is that this show has an immense audience, and an impressionable one at that, and the creators are still using their platform to educate, inform, and tell human stories.

  This has been a brief defense of Orange is the New Black. Now back to your regularly scheduled binge-worthy programming. 

 -Fran

My Brain Has Too Many Tabs Open

  This past weekend was a busy one. So busy that when I woke up on Monday morning, I had a brief moment of pure confusion in which I wasn't sure what day it was.

  On Saturday I uploaded my weekly vlog and then hit the grocery store to pick up some goods for a barbecue/pool/birthday party in honor of our friend Sam. (Shoutout to Samwise the Brave!) I grabbed some lemons, ice, and ice cream and headed over to my friend Kelsey’s house. And man, do they know how to throw a party. We had homemade lemonade, kebabs, and a coffee-rubbed pork loin on the grill (I know it sounds weird, but trust me) that were all out of this world. We swam, ate, made bad sumatra puns, and watched The Breakfast Club. Basically, it was my idea of the perfect Saturday night. 

  On Sunday I was up bright and early to get ready for another day of filming the web series. I got there early to get some shots for the web site, and to get everything set up. But before I knew it everyone had arrived and we got straight to work. We filmed a myriad of things, and were generally more productive than last week. (Our first week.) I think it just took some time for everyone to get used to each other, and for all of us to get into a good rhythm with each other. In any case, I was much more prepared this week, and definitely had a plan of attack. But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t room for spontaneity. I had a much needed Haim dance party when I couldn’t loosen up enough in front of the camera, and we had a spontaneous mini photo-shoot at the end that yielded some pretty awesome promotional pictures. 

  Essentially, it was a great weekend, and I came away from it feeling happy, but tired. Cut to Monday, where I was feeling worn down, but in a good way. Exhausted from doing too many fun things, and from being too productive and creatively energized. So after a three hour creative meeting, I shut down. I watched Hannibal, I read, I stayed off the Internet and instead watched Gilmore Girls with my sister. But today I am reaping the rewards of that shutdown. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, sometimes it’s just necessary to detox. Even when what you’re detoxing from is GOOD STUFF. Your body simply can’t take all action all the time. No matter what your FOMO tells you.

 -Fran

P.S.- If you want a sneak peak at my web series, head on over to this link: www.overdueseries.squarespace.com

Or click on that second photo to go straight to the Instagram. :)

Courage in the Attempt

  Welcome to another segment of "this makes me anxious but I'm going to do it anyway." On Wednesday I went with a long-time friend of mine, Krista, on a day trip to Albany, NY. Our other long-time friend, Chloe, moved there immediately after we graduated high school in 2013, but we'd never been out to visit her. We were motivated by a free concert featuring The Vaccines not 30 minutes from her house. 

  I should preface this by saying that I'm not really a concert person. The last concert I went to was Vampire Weekend in December, 2013, and I only went because, well, it was Vampire Weekend. But I had a concussion at the time, and was recovering from a car accident, so it wasn't the best experience. Consequently, I haven't been to a concert since then. And I haven't wanted to. But the allure of a free concert and seeing a friend who I so rarely get to see nowadays was too tempting to pass up.

  Krista and I spent the two hour car ride discussing how and why we have commitment issues and listening to The Vaccines. The quote of the trip was, "get a good look at this asshole when I pass him." When we arrived in Albany, we kicked off the day by picking Chloe up and heading into the vaguely Stars-Hollow-esque town of Ballston Spa. We got waffles at this place called the Iron Roost, and I tried my first ever "savory waffle." It was a BLT served on a waffle sandwich. All I can say about this experience is that I want to start a waffle based religion.

 After stuffing our faces, we walked around and shopped. In one particular antique store, I got my hands on a gold revolver that Ron Swanson would have been in love with. So I posed with it, obviously.

  After this, I went to Lush for the first time in my life, which was an out-of-body experience. The store itself was pretty small, but evidently not small enough...as I still did $20 worth of damage. (That got me 3 bath bombs, in case you were wondering.)

  From here we went straight to the concert venue, where we sat, waited, and wondered if anyone was even going to show up. But eventually the show started and a small crowd of people formed, with us at the front. I'm not going to lie, I didn't feel like I was in my element there. I just find that I can't lose myself in the music quite like others can. I'm too tall, gangly and far too aware of my body and surroundings. But seeing how this show made my friends so happy, energized, and elated...seeing the smiles on their faces...in turn made me happy.

  When The Vaccines played Norgaard at the very end of their set, however, I did lose myself. I danced like the crazy nerd that I am, because I love that song, and it's been my favorite song of theirs for years. I have so many memories listening to this band, so it was really cool to see them live, in a fun and not too rowdy setting. And after the show, my friend Krista was able to get a picture with the lead singer, Justin!

  In conclusion, I may be young, but sometimes I act like an old lady. I like to be in bed by 11 and I don't like to be around people who are drunk/high. I don't like lines, I don't like standing, and I like to eat frequent meals. But I challenged myself on Wednesday, and I surprised myself by having a good time. At the start of 2015, I scribbled this little list of goals for myself in my journal. Not resolutions, necessarily, but things I wanted to do more of. The list looked like this:

Goals for 2015:
Be more adventurous
Be healthier
Grow (Mentally + emotionally)
Create more than you have ever created before
Be happy

 There's this quote from one of my favorite movies, Before Sunrise, that goes,

"You know I believe if there's any kind of God, it wouldn't be in any of us. Not you, or me. But just...this little space in between. If there's any kind of magic in this world, it must be in the attempt of understanding someone sharing something. I know, it's almost impossible to succeed but who cares, really? The answer must be in the attempt."

  Halfway through this year, I think I can say that I've been consistently doing those things on my list for a few months now. It hasn't been easy, and I've had to push myself a lot, but progress doesn't happen overnight. It has taken constant vigilance, constant mindfulness. But I truly believe that not only is the answer in the attempt, but courage is as well.

 -Fran

A Love Letter To Jenny Han

  Before there was John Green, there was Jenny Han. (Not literally, I'm actually not sure who is older.) I mean, for me. Years before I ever picked up my first John Green book, (Paper Towns, if you were interested) Jenny Han had been teaching me about the ins and outs of adolescence. When I was about 12, I picked up her first book, Shug. It’s been a while since I read it, but I remember it teaching me about all-important first kisses and those irresistible boys next door. And that was when I fell in love with her writing. 

  A few years later my older, bookish, Gilmore Girls loving friend recommended The Summer I Turned Pretty series. I was instantly hooked, and I can remember staying up late into those hot summer nights reading the first two books. Then I waited (not so) patiently for the third, and bought it the second it came out. I can remember going back and forth between Conrad and Jeremiah, and feeling as torn as Belly, even though I had nothing to compare her experience to. That series taught me about first loves and first losses and making your first big mistakes and choices. (Though I will admit, for me it was always going to be Conrad...)

  Then last spring Han's book To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before came out, and everyone in the bookish community was abuzz about it. But I already knew I’d be picking it up, because by this point I was a long-time Jenny Han fangirl. I grabbed it the day it came out, and even though I was 18 when I read it, it still resonated strongly with me. When I read this book, (and its recent sequel P.S. I Still Love You) I finally had real-life boys to compare Lara Jean’s long list of (almost) ex-lovers to. I felt it all more deeply because I had begun to feel more deeply. But this duo-logy contains so many more lessons than just those about boys.

  P.S. I Still Love You touched on important topics like feminism, (and what it really is) slut-shaming and the differences in how men and women are treated in the same situations, even at the high school age. Being 19, I really picked up on those threads, and appreciated that they were woven into a best-selling series for young adults. I'm really glad that Jenny Han's books are so popular, because they are extremely readable, well written, and send such positive messages to young girls. And I'm over the moon that just a few days ago at my job at the library, a 13 year old girl took this book out.

  I feel like with each of Jenny Han's books, she's taught her readers about the next stage of life. The next unknown. I’ve grown up with her stories, though not in the same way that I literally grew up with Harry Potter, to be fair. But as I look back, I see that at the pivotal points in my life, nay, the awkward, in-between points in my life, there was a Jenny Han book by my side that taught me what to do. I think Jenny Han deserves all of her success and more, because her novels are proof that the fun, sweet, and romantic YA genre can also be a vehicle for educating young people. A book can be fun to read and still teach you something valuable.

  So for that, I must say: Jenny Han, I love you. 

 - Fran

P.S.- There's actually going to be a third book, right? RIGHT?!

What I've Been Watching #3

  Here is my third installment of how I've been avoiding socialization What I've Been Watching. 

  First and foremost: Locke. I watched this film on a whim, and it was absolutely brilliant. The entirety of the movie takes place in a car, where Tom Hardy is driving towards a... certain destination, and passes the time by making many consecutive phone calls. But despite the unconventional setting, it never got boring. It was downright compelling, and I was so surprised at how this movie had me on the edge of my seat. I honestly don't know how to stress to you how incredible this movie was. I mean, I cried twice. And at the end of it, all I could think was: This is what filmmaking SHOULD BE. Just pure, unadulterated, captivating storytelling. If a story is good, it shouldn't matter if there is a sex scene or explosions or a dreamy lead actor. If a story is good, the entire two hour movie could take place in a car, driving through England at night. It's safe to say that this movie affected me a little bit, and I'd therefore highly recommend it. 

  Next is Take This Waltz. This movie also made me cry. A LOT. It was about life, and how you can never be sure you're making the right choice but that doesn't mean you shouldn't choose. It was about how the in-between spaces can suck, and are oftentimes utterly terrifying. It was about how we're all afraid of being afraid and afraid of connections. (That last one is something I've had many a late night panic attack over.) It was beautiful, artistic, poetic, raw, and real. Michelle Williams was lovely and otherworldly, and Seth Rogen proved that he can actually play a character other than himself. Who knew, right?

  Finally, on a whim this past Saturday I decided to see Mad Max: Fury Road by myself, which was quite the experience. I don’t know why it’s considered so taboo and lame to go to the movies by yourself, but I decided I didn't really care. I had my heart set on seeing Mad Max, because I had heard that it was badass, well written, and most importantly, hella feminist. So I did that. AND IT WAS FREAKING AWESOME. But before I get into my myriad of thoughts on the subject, I'd like to share with you another list I made.

Pros of going to the movies by yourself:

You don't have to listen to anyone talk through the trailers

You don't have to share your popcorn

You can write on your phone during all of the trailers for cars and ABC Family shows 

You get to see the movie with a bunch of old people, who are super quiet because they can't hear to begin with

Cons of going to the movies by yourself:

There's no one to watch your seat when you inevitably have to pee during the 5 hours of trailers

Since you don't have to share your popcorn, you end up eating all of it by yourself. This becomes a problem later on...

There's no one to rant to after you've just had a spiritual awakening in an action movie

   In any case, back to the movie. I did a mini review of sorts in my Weekly Vlog last week, but I'll say this anyway: This movie was damn near perfect. In action movies, you rarely ever see badass female characters, let alone women of color, or women with significant speaking roles. This film had all of the above (in abundance) and more. Not only did the women have more lines than any of the men, including Mad Max himself, but their character development also went above and beyond anything I've ever seen in a summer blockbuster action movie. An early review I read said something like, "this film puts the bechdel test to shame..." which I must wholeheartedly agree with. This film proves that not only is the tried-and-true action movie formula worn out, outdated, and irrelevant, but it proves that we're really better off without it. 

   This movie has made nearly $300 million worldwide, and I think it's because more women are in the audience. Why? (Hint: It's not because of Tom Hardy's killer body.) It's because George Miller decided to tell a culturally relevant, relatable tale set in a post-apocalyptic world. It's because he decided to show women (of a variety of ethnicities) kicking ass, getting revenge on their captor, and developing as human beings. It's because he decided to show women as people, and not mere sexual objects for the lead actor to interact with. It's because he decided to tell a story about sexual violence, and the horrors that women are often faced with, without actually showing gratuitous sexual violence. This movie is as much of a feminist film for men as it is for women. Tom Hardy's portrayal of Mad Max was beautiful and brilliant, and was in such stark contrast to the other violent, power-hungry men on the screen. He showed that a man can be powerful, badass, and cool, without needing to abuse women to get there. Max's complex relationship with Charlize Theron's character, Furiosa, showed that not all relationships between men and women have to be purely sexual. They had a bond, a true connection, and we didn't need to see them make out to understand that. In essence, Mad Max: Fury Road is more than worth your time and money. And I'll just say it: I liked it way more than Avengers: Age of Ultron. 

I hope you found some new movies to see and love this weekend! :)

 -Fran 

On Writing & Self-Doubt

  

 I am so scared right now. Like, really, really scared. I’m tackling quite a few huge creative projects at the moment, and I feel like running for the nearest exit, because they are all extremely intimidating. As some of you may know, I’ve been working on a novel since November of 2014. I've experienced some ups and downs with this draft, but in recent months I’ve gotten back on track with it. It’s pretty close to being finished, (the first draft, anyway) and that absolutely terrifies me. I don’t want to be done with these characters and their stories and their voices and their lives. Because whenever I can’t think of what I should do next, I just think up a new scenario for Margaux. (My main character.) And for a moment, that makes everything better. So I’m afraid to be done with it because that’ll mean I’ll have to move onto Step 2. Editing. Sending it off to publishers. Querying. The part that I’ve never been very good at. And while the writing groups I’ve joined in the past few months have been helping me with this, as well as helping me build confidence, I still don’t feel 100% okay with it all. There are still days when I think: Is this even worth it? Is anything I write even good at all?

   The other thing I’m working on is a web series. I have been hesitant to tell you about it, partly because it wasn’t a feasible reality until two weeks ago, partly because I was afraid, and partly to build suspense/hype. But now it’s happening, and I’m going to start filming this summer, and I want to tell you about it. I’m not going to give many details, (for that suspense reason I mentioned before) but all you need to know is that it’s a web series and I’m super excited about it. But I’m also really scared, for a variety of reasons. A web series isn’t like a novel. People are going to see it a lot sooner than they’re ever going to read my novel. They’re going to see my writing in action, my directorial skills, my acting. And that scares the life out of me. Because I think: What if it’s complete shit? What if I waste everyone’s time, including my own? What if this isn’t what I should be doing, and this proves it? What if I'm not actually a writer? What if what if what if?

   Sometimes I become petrified that nothing will ever come of this. That I'll work myself to the bone week in and week out...for nothing. That I won’t become a best-selling author, (or even a selling author) no one will ever read what I write, and I’ll end up working at the library for the rest of my life. And while I know that wouldn’t be a bad life, it’s not the life I want. I want to tell stories, because that’s really all we have. In my opinion, stories are the only things that are worth anything in this world. So it scares me that there's a chance I might not be very good at the one thing that means anything to me. What would I even do otherwise? But then I think, No. There’s this quote I have posted above my desk that reads,

   "The things you are passionate about are not random, they are your calling." -Fabienne Fredrickson

   And I think that’s true. I have to believe that the things we are passionate about, the things that get us out of bed in the morning, are the things that we are meant to be doing. Even if my worst fears are true, and I’m not as good as I’d like to be, I have to believe that if it’s truly my calling, I will do anything in my power to get better.

  In other news, last week I wrote a piece on why it's okay to be alone and submitted it to Local Wolves (an awesome online lit mag) for their upcoming #TeamSolitude issue. And just yesterday I got an email saying that it's going to be published. So I'm taking this as a sign that I'm on the right track. I just felt the need to be completely honest with you guys, because I think we all feel this way sometimes, and there's no use trying to hide it. I'm scared right now, sure. But I'm also excited. Here's one last quote that's making me feel better right now.

 "A good goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot." -Chris Soriano

And they do, so I guess I'm okay.

 -Fran