Currently....

...reading

1. Texbooks

I’m a college student. 'Nuff said. 

2. “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie

Technically, I’m not reading this yet. But I’ve gotten it from my library for my Kindle. That’s close enough, right? Honestly, though, I do plan to start reading it soon. This is going to be my homework breaks this weekend (and it’s basically my best chance to read. This week was devoted to law, and next week will be to Cedars.)

Anyways, I digress. I saw Cedarville’s theatre production of “And Then There Were None” a couple years ago, and I loved it. It was my introduction to CU theatre, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

I’ve never actually read the book, so now seemed like just as good of a time as any other to do so. Also, it’ll count to my 40 books this year goal (Just so y’all know, for a book to qualify, I can’t have read it before.). I’m really excited to start it!

...watching

1. “Horrible Histories”

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to list all the kings and queens of England but couldn’t? Do you need a refresher on history?

If you answered “yes” to either of those questions, then “Horrible Histories” is for you!

“Horrible Histories” is a children’s show on the BBC, which ran for 5 seasons, with the final season coming out just last year. Based off the series of books of the same name, “Horrible Histories” is a Monty Python-esque show, teaching history through sketches and parodies.

This show is definitely aimed at children (c’mon, it’s hosted by a rat puppet named “Rattus Rattus,” and, yes, I am serious.)

My favorite segments of the show are the songs. 

What better way is there to learn about the Incan priests than a parody of “Stayin’ Alive” (in “Horrible Histories,” it’s “Ain’t Stayin’ Alive”)? Or maybe you have trouble keeping straight Henry VIII’s six wives? Well, there’s a song for that (complete with hand motions!) – “The Wives of Henry VIII: Divorced, Beheaded & Died.” 

And who doesn’t love a good “High School Musical” parody, especially when it’s about vicious Spartans? Of course, there’s also always a time when you need to know who the four most evil Roman emperors were. But where could you find that and learn it in a catchy song? Oh, that’s right – “Horrible Histories” in “The Evil Emperor’s Song.”

But the sketches in the show hold their own against the music. My favorite sketch is “HH Movie Pitch,” where historical figures come in and (unsuccessfully) try to pitch the story of their lives to the produces. The producers always try to turn the truthful story into some huge, dramatic, partially fictional blockbuster. One time, Alfred the Great spent the entire pitch trying to convince the panel to not typecast him as “cake guy.”

2. A lot.

Some of you know that I have kinda geeky taste in my TV shows (and if you didn’t, now you do). Yes, I enjoy watching “Doctor Who” and “Sherlock.” Yes, I did spend a lot of the most recent season of “Sherlock” yelling at my computer because it was so frustrating. No, this isn’t a problem.

But I do watch other, less geeky shows. And I’m juggling quite a few at the moment.

“NCIS” – I’ve been watching NCIS for several years now (definitely more than 5, not sure exactly how long, though). I’m several episodes behind, but I’ll catch up.

“NCIS: LA” – For the longest time, I refused to watch this spin-off. How could they take my beloved characters and just create a spin-off? How could it possibly be as good as the original? My family and I started watching in the last year or so, and I’m hooked.

“Chuck” – I started watching “Chuck” recently (if you can’t tell, I like the action-adventure-crime-drama-type show). It’s a little weird when you start watching it, but trust me. It gets better. And better. And better. Just wait – you’ll find yourself trying to resist watching just one more episode on Netflix.

“White Collar” – This show might win first place for the worst, most painful cliffhangers at the end of seasons. “White Collar” is currently between seasons, so I am here waiting patiently (mostly) for the next season.

“Once Upon A Time” – Yes, this is a little more on the geeky side, but it’s so good! Take fairy tale characters and put them in this world? Great! Add an evil witch? So good. Create a scenario in which everybody in the town doesn’t remember who they are/what happened? Even better.

There’s more that I watch than this, and more that I want to start watching. I started “Supernatural” over break, but I’m not that far into it (note: don’t watch the first episode by yourself in the dead of night. Creepy.). I’ve started watching BBC’s new series “The Musketeers” (very, very loosely based off the books by Alexandre Dumas). And I watched an episode of BBC’s “Doc Martin” over break, and I want to watch more of the series. 

So, yeah. Check some of these out!

...listening to

1. “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” soundtrack

I’ve been obsessed with the soundtrack to “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” for quite a while now. I love listening to movie soundtracks because I can experience the movie again without actually watching it. They’re perfect for listening to while doing homework and fit my criteria for such music (interesting and dynamic enough to keep me awake, but without lyrics to distract me). On this soundtrack, however, my favorite song actually doesn’t play during the movie itself – it’s during the credits. “I See Fire” was written, composed and performed by Ed Sheeran. This song captures the tone of the movie well and is the perfect bow on the package. 

2. “Wicked” soundtrack

As my unitmates can attest, I’m either listening to the “Desolation of Smaug” soundtrack or to “Wicked.” They’re probably a little tired of hearing them, but I love both these soundtracks.

I had the privilege to see “Wicked” on Broadway over Christmas break, and I was hooked.

I’d heard the music before. My choir had sung it. I learned some in voice lessons. And I liked the music then. But now? Addicted.  

Why do I love it so much? Two words – Idina Menzel (Adele Dazeem?). Idina is so talented that I can’t even begin to do her justice.

First of all, she’s an alto. I’m an alto. I can sing all of her parts. And there’s nothing better than belting out “Defying Gravity” or “No Good Deed” when you have a particularly annoying or stressful piece of homework to do.

Second, she pours so much emotion into her performance. Unfortunately, the closest I have come to seeing her perform is me sitting at my laptop watching YouTube videos. But still, she pours everything she has into Elphaba.

What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?