The Vid

Here we have Mrs.Drew. A normal day in the classroom (which means anything can go wrong and anyone can end up taking their pants off) where we do work, sometimes. I think she looks like Nina Garcia and Rachel Zoe.

Our dear Nina (the judge on Project runway)

 Much like Rachel here, Mrs.Drew wears scary high heels all the time.

As you all know my video class is a bit...off. And I love it, but at times I do want to throttle all of the people in it, what keeps me going is the fact that I'll eventually become an amazing lawyer working somewhere and they'll not have moved away from Stillwater.

Above is a photo that I thought was hilarious! Here we have (left to right) Mrs.T (Mitch is hidden behind her) then Steven, Luke, Jake, and then Mrs.Drew on the far right. The four guys were sitting in the middle of the room waiting for Mrs.T to come to the meeting. They looked like little second graders.

Then yesterday I was searched because someone had stolen a computer and Elam had traced it to our classroom (of course). So, in walks Mr.H, Mrs.T, Elam, and Fred the security guard who just happens to have a tazer, mace, and a gun on him. We all get our backpacks searched and they don't find it. I am quite surprised by this, I would have thought someone would have stolen it.

Lisbeth and Elizabeth

Most of you know I can speak Norwegian, and if you don't you should check this out.

My whole carrer at Skogfjorden I had the name Lisbeth (pronounced Lisbet). You could choose any name you wanted from the long list of names, but I choose Lisbeth because of two reasons. One, it was close to my name, and two it was beautiful. I have come to terms with my name and have indeed learned to enjoy it. It's common enough that I can find keychains with my name on them, but it's not like I'll run into an Elizabeth at every turn. Plus, I find it very regal and formal, so when I have to be a bit more reserved I enjoy introducing myself because I have the idea that Elizabeth gives me the leg up to make the person I want to impress think 'she is a respectable women, this Elizabeth'.

I have toyed with the idea of going by a different nickname when I start college. I've talked to a few people about this and they agree it's a perfect time for changing you name. Or at least how you introduce yourself. I always say 'Hello I'm Liz McNaughton' and I end up doing this a lot in regards to Cutaway Productions when I have to be a cool formal teenager who is suposed to blow away the adult clients.

There are many names that can come from Elizabeth. Liz, Lizzy, Lisbeth, Beth, Betty, Bess (coined by Gretchen), B (or Bee/Be), L (or Ell/El), Ellen, Elly (or Ellie), and Eliza. These are just the few I have come up with sitting here. But I have decided I like L and Lisbeth the best and intend on trying them on, so to say.

Saying this I was happy to find out a Lisbeth was a character in Stieg Larsson's Millennium series more commonly know as 'the girl with the dragon tattoo series'. Not only do we share the same name, but we are both small girls with lack of chest and we have the same birthday. If that isn't cool, what is? True, I haven't been raped and my father isn't a psycho, and I don't go around tazing people, but on the outside we are similar. We both even have the same (real) hair color. And for those of you who don't know Lisbeth has red hair, and I have brown/red hair. Don't freak out people, I have brown/RED hair, and I don't care if you don't agree! DEAL WITH IT!!!

After this whole ordeal I am finally getting to what I wanted to talk about, Lisbeth. I just love that girl. And the series is very much worth reading, but they are long. And just one thing, they aren't as 'disturbing' as people lead then to be. I was expecting this horrible rape scene, but it's hardly anything (or as little as a rape scene can be) don't get me wrong it's a big deal that she's raped, but it's not super graphic.

I would say the movies are more graphic, because they do what Larsson didn't write, but was alluding towards. I don't know which one I like the best (the never ending debate between the Swedish movies and the American movies) but both were good. I like seeing the Swedish one because I could watch and understand what they were saying (Swedish and Norwegian are very similar) and it was just cool hearing the book in it's original language. I think we miss a little having it translated into English and not reading it in Swedish because it's ment to be read in Swedish. Understand what I'm trying to get at? I do agree with Gretchen about how the American Lisbeth is more like the books, she isn't crazy, she is just very private and distrustful. The Swedish version makes her out to be a bit more of a person who doesn't understand social situations, when in reality she understands but she just doesn't care.

Above is a bookmark I created using Hannah's (known as SpannerX23 on Deviant art) artwork of Lisbeth. I have printed the bookmark and use it when reading the books. I'm almost half way through the third, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest. It's good, I can't wait to finish!

Video Class

This is how I felt today during video. Mrs.Drew would agree with me.

In De Vid

Now don't get me wrong. I am all one to boast about Cutaway Productions and talk about the class at every chance I get.

But yesterday and today have been kinda' disappointing. I haven't really enjoyed the class.

Here's my reasoning.

The moment I finally get on top of my real school work (well aside from precalc which can GO DIE IN A HOLE!) I fall behind in video. I really can't remember the last time I didn't do something for video, it's just one of those things that  I always end p doing because I enjoy it.

Now, as June approaches, I am more apt to lay around my house wishing so badly that it was graduation day. No more school, and no more MATH!

Speaking of that class, I truly don't like it at all, if you haven't already gotten the memo. It's bad, because I love Mrs.G and I have a great group of friends in the class, which I haven't had in a math class since 8th grade. I just wish my real grade wasn't in the toilet.

In other news, Courtney you'll love this, I haven't taken a nap since last Thursday! Go Liz!

Apparently I'm addicted to them...?

University of Minnesota

This is long in the works. I know I told Meghan that I was going to make a vlog about it, but then...

I forgot my charger to my video camera up in Alaska this summer and I didn't realize it until a few weeks ago. And my family is very messy up there, and not very relabel (I still love you!) which means i'll never see that charger again. I have been bumming one off of Mrs.Drew the past few weeks, but for school projects.

No video sorry.

But I can still talk about how much I loved it!

Tip: When I go to schools I look at bulletin boards to see if I would want to do anything on them. The social aspect it a huge part in picking a college. It could be great for your interestes, but if there is crappy people then their is some other college that can give you both. Believe me, there is a ton of colleges out there.

 The rooms were the best i've seen so far. Air conditioning, heat, cable, and wireless internet. The washing machines can also text you when they are done with your clothes. It's pretty awesome.

My Grandpa's building!

This is the main square where they have a annual snowball fight. The college has a ton of clubs to join. Like the sweatpants club, where you only wear sweats because your sick of wearing only jeans in high school. Or the 'Hi my name's Mike' club. You don't even have to have the name Mike to join. But the BEST part of the whole trip was that they have a college quidditch team. They were flown out to New York to play in the championships last year. Apparently a cross country player dresses in all yellow and runs around the college campus playing as the golden snitch. I so want to join!

Mom, Dad, and Gretchen came with me. The above photo was taken inside a completely green building on the campus. It was fun walking around with them, we had lunch afterwards and it was a good Saturday. I really liked the college, a lot more then I thought I would. I was happy with that surprise.

Check Your Own Underwear

I write everything funny that goes on in video. All the weird stuff and crap that nobody understands, we're really like the Jersey Shore. Don't believe me stop on by. I'de be glad to have you anytime.

But some things, I need to keep in the video class. It's a weird messed up class, but it's my favorite!

From The Hood

This makes me smile. It also reminds me of Christina's rap she wrote about Hoodbury. Mrs. Drew thinks me calling Woodbury Hoodbury is funny. And, yet, she totally agrees with it.

Ordinary Wizarding Levels

Seeing Sam walk in front of me with his newly shaved head gives me the jump start I need. I slip into the check in line after saying a quick hello to him as he sits down next to me. Why did I have to wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt? Not that I have any thing 'for' him, but I like to look good in front of people I know, especially people from video. I check and see Nora will be escorted into the testing room soon. I walk into the room an immediately am transported.

I walk down the asile at a brisk pace. My black Hogwarts robes touch the top of my shoes and billow out behind me. I am directed to a chair by Professor Flitwick who is waving his wand around the big Hogwarts hall arranging chairs in an acceptable order.

My desk is smaller then I would have imagined coming from Hogwarts. Can't they just put an enlarging charm on them? I would like to be able to fit two pieces of paper on the desk. Is that asking too much?

I slip into my seat, pooling my robes on the floor and look behind me to see Nora sitting down in her chair too. Her blue Ravenclaw crest can been seen from my seat, she's the center chaser for the Ravenclaw team, destined for the Sweetwater All-Stars quidditch team from Texas. Sam sits down too, his yellow Hufflepuff crest sits proudly on his chest, the beater for Hufflepuff, but nothing to brag about. I look down and am surprised to see a red crest displaying Gryffindor on my robes.

Professor McGonagall directs a hanging piece of fabric from the ceiling to say O.W.L.'s, I am not looking forward to this. Suddenly I shiver in my seat.

I find myself in a freezing cold gymnasium looking at an SAT proctor who doesn't know what he's doing at all. I sigh and look back at Nora then the ceiling, just incase I missed any floating candles when I walked in. 

And How

I found this rather humorous comment below a video created by Vlogbrothers Hank Green for Truth or Fail on Youtube. I know Meghan says the comments are really creepy, but I think this new 'top comments' thing helps keep the creep away.

And don't even try to tell me you haven't had one of those feelings about what you looking at online.

a Sunday at School

It's weird, I mean, being in school on a Sunday. I've been in school on a Saturday, last year for the one act plays. Still, it being a Sunday makes me creeped out. The hallway lights flicker and turn on as I walk further down the hallway. I never noticed that they were motion detected.

The Cutaway classroom is much warmer then the school auditorium. I set down the massive amount of chargers that Mrs.Drew just needed to have. I scratch my head looking around and waisting time in the warm room.

Making my way back down to the auditorium I find the lights on and the band packing up. Glancing down at my new, blue watch I see it's 4:00 pm. I've been here since 12:00, the band got here at 12:30 and it took them until 2:30 to start playing. Yes...oy vey!

I also talked with the drummer's sister who is interested in movie making. She was nice, a little shy, and she smelled a little, totally not cut out for video production. Sorry, I know it sounds blunt, but I can just tell. At least I didn't have to whip out my swear words I had practiced on the bus with Hannah and Gretchen.

Undercover Video People

You wouldn't guess by looking at them, but some of the d-bags in the class actually have a little bit of a soul.

Just yesterday I walked into the main room where Jay and Kelsey were sitting. I first noticed Jay wasn't swearing, then he wasn't saying anything politically incorrect (this is the guy who didn't know there was different forms of your) then I looked at the computer screen. Kelsey was asking Jay for swim suit advice! And he was giving her serious advice with no comment towards the girls wearing dental floss on the screen. Then he agreed with her that the more skimpy swim suits didn't look as good. My head was spinning.

The other surprise was last year Zach was obsessed with this girl, but he didn't know how to proceed in asking her out. This lead to many guy to guy talks between him and all of the boys in the class. I learned yesterday he asked her out when Luke said, "Wittl I heard you finally bedded her, you must have used drugs."

Ah, apparently most of them don't have a soul.

To My Fan!

Hey, this is for you Sonia. It might have taken a bit, but I think it turned out pretty good.

AWKWARD!

I remember telling Meghan and Courtney I couldn't ever remember how to spell awkward. Then they went skipping along the hallway singing the letters. Well, Courtney skipped, Meghan just kinda' picked up the pace. (you know, she doesn't want to seem like a happy sulky teenager) Anyway, I always remember that when I'm spelling awkward. And I always get it right.

Today I spelt the word awkward when responding to a facebook e-mail. AJ from video class had messaged me saying he gave his friend my blog link (because I apparently told him I had a blog....yikes I must be really weird in that class) and it just happened to be on the day I posted....that one post. And yea, he asked what 'type of blog I had going' because I'm not apparently the porn master of the video class. What a job to aspire to.

Anyway, I figured I need to put some happy pictures up!

Finding the Monst-E Story

I have decided to make a fake trailer incorporating all of the Pixar movies to date, that have been released. I'm just in that mood.

lacking Toy Story 3 but it will be in the 'trailer'

Howdy Partner!

Today after school Gretchen, Mari, and I filmed our spaghetti western. You know the whole 'this town ain't big enough for the bot of us thing. I was the bad gun slinger and Gretchen was the good sheriff. It was quite fun.

My Saturday

This took me 5 and 1/2 hours to edit. Please watch it.

Liz Sylvester

I think the thing I love most about directing (aside form telling people what to do) is having the status to be able to hold a clipboard. No, seriously, I love clipboards! They are so much fun, and i'm talking about the ones with the small holder not the huge silver holder on the top. Mines blue, it's sweet.

This spring when I was directing the short film in video I used it and i'm not sure if this was a complement or not, but one of the guys made a comment towards it and how it made me look like a real director. I think it was a complement because the guy didn't snigger behind my back with his friend, plus he's always been nice to me, but then again he's kinda' a druggie.....

Does me holding a clipboard make me look like Sue Sylvester? From Glee? I sure hope not. Does she even hold a clipboard? I thought I saw her with one....

Norwegian and Love

How about a little V-log?

A Pimp & Her Boys

"Get off the phone." I say for the last time. The room feels like it's closing in on me, it's still humid even thought it rain the equivalent of an ocean this morning. At least the lights are off.

"We should talk about him." One of them suggests. I figure it will get him off the phone so we start pestering him.

"Okay, got to go." He tells the person on the other end of the line while glaring at the rest of us.

There's six in all. Squished into an Arby's booth for two hours trying to keep up a conversation. I'm the only girl.

Mrs. Drew walks over to our table and check in on us.

"Well aren't you the pimp of the video class." She smiles and I can see Alex out of the corner of my eye laughing. I guess this is what I get for calling him gay.

"Okay, so siblings." I grasp for strings, not much else I can find to keep the fire burning.

Our feet touch, and instantly I don't care that JD's burping, Meheer's telling us his life story, Cortland's not paying any attention, or that Adam is slowly peeling apart a napkin. I just stay very still, not moving, and he doesn't either.

American Words

"So, what's your favorite american word?" I ask the German exchange students who are tagging along during filming.

"Oh, sorry I mean english word." I correct myself while the others are getting into their places and as Matt sets up the camera.

"Squirrel." The girl says and giggles. "We can't pronounce it really well, but you guys sounds funny."

"Funny? Squirrel?" I try out the word a few times. "How about yours?"

The boy looks at me for a second and then answers, "Oh. Fuck."

"Umm...how nice." I say turning back to the set. Matt's laughing at me while trying to hold the camera.

I fold the paper I'm holding into fourths. "Goodness, just go Matt, just go."