A Tragic Goodbye

This comes to you from a broken soul. A soul that, in fact, has been broken countless times over this same tragic event. It’s the one that keeps us all on our toes. We never know what’s going to happen, or rather, when it’s going to happen. Although, deep down, we know this is an inevitable fate that sooner or later we must come to terms with. No, I’m not talking about death, but I might as well be. It’s that same earth-shattering feeling – saying goodbye to your favorite TV show character.

As I’m sure you’ve heard, Grey’s Anatomy fans everywhere, including myself, kept tissues locked in hand while they wept together last Thursday as they felt great remorse over the loss of THE Derek Shepherd (played by Patrick Dempsey). (If you aren’t a fan of the show, THIS IS HUGE HUGE HUGE !!!!!!!) Ultimately this untimely misfortune made people furious. How can they just kill off one of the main characters? they ask. What about Meredith? they wonder. You can’t have Grey’s Anatomy without McDreamy!!!! they proclaimed.

Well, turns out they (Shonda Rhimes, to be exact) can kill off a main character. Meredith will never have a happy ending, obviously. And it looks like you can have Grey’s without McDreamy, because that’s exactly what’s about to happen with the remainder of this season and with Season 12, that has already been signed on for.

So, why do they do this to us? To keep us entertained? To make us weep hysterically? Those are age old questions that we see with almost every show on television. The creators and writers set us up with these perfect people that we spend seasons/years getting to know and falling in love with and then BOOM they take them from us. It seems that, even though it’s just about as unbearable as it can get at first, it makes the show better. They take the characters we know and love and kill them, send them to another country, give them their own show, etc. and give us bigger and better characters and story lines.

For example…

• Angel leaves Buffy right after her high school graduation (talk about heartbreaking) but ends up having his own show where he’s able to shine on his own and gives her a chance at dating a living boy (which doesn’t turn out so hot, but oh well). – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Peyton & Lucas both leave at the end of season 6, right when they’re doing beautifully in their family life/relationship. This was probably the worst time to say goodbye to them because EVERYONE wanted to see where they would go next in life. But, we got some really good characters (Quinn and Clay forever <3) the next season out of their farewell. – One Tree Hill
• The in and outs of Rory’s boyfriends throughout her whole high school and college life. We fell in love with Dean and then were ready for him to go when Jess came in the picture. Then she got Logan and we were all like “eh” and then “aw.” – Gilmore Girls

You see, friends, maybe something good will come out of this really horrible goodbye to the hottest doctor we’ve ever seen. Maybe we’ll get something better than we could’ve ever expected. Yes, we will continue to mourn him and our other loved ones that we’ve lost along the way, but keep your heads up soon we’ll be in greener pastures. (Lord, I hope…)

March’s Top 5

The widely anticipated March Top 10 was so widely anticipated by you and not by me (IT’S THE END OF MARCH??!!!! NO I’M NOT READY!!!), so it has turned into a Top 5. Here’s some of my favorite things this month:

1. Taylor Swift & Justin Timberlake’s friendship

OK. So not only do I want to be Taylor’s best friend, I also have wanted to marry JT since birth. The fact that they are such good friends makes my heart so happy. (Side note: Tay used to be obsessed with Justin & then Ellen introduced them. Ellen- I’m waiting to meet them both, if you want to arrange that.) Tay and Justin sat right next to each other, sweeping up all the awards at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Sunday night and the world sat in awe at the two most beautiful and perfect human beings on their TV screens that night.

2. Faith Hill

Recently, I’ve been jamming out to Faith Hill. (And by “recently” I mean like all the time for the past three weeks. It all started when T-Swizzle and her besties that make up the band HAIM, posted an Instagram vid of them belting out the lyrics to the hit “This Kiss.” (Yes, I also realize that everything in my life someway or another has to do with Taylor Swift. I’m working on it.) Anyways, if like me you have found yourself lacking Faith Hill in your life for the better part of the past 5 years, I would suggest you watch this music video. I’ve also found that having a hairbrush handy to use as a mic is a good thing.

3. Boy Bands

With the unfortunate departure of Zayn from One Direction, I’ve had a large interest in indulging in the sweet tunes from boy bands. Hanson, Jo Bros, Backstreet Boys & my personal fave Nsync are a handful of boy bands that have broken the hearts of teenage girls around the world when they broke away from each other. It’s the sad and disappointing truth that boy bands don’t last forever and we are seeing this play out in front of our very eyes right now. Fear not my girly gals, their music will stay forever on your iTunes playlists, CDs and Hit Clips. BOY BANDS FORVEVS YAS

4. TV

If you know me at all, you know that I watch way too much TV for my own good. Not only do I just watch a lot of television, but I know every detail about every show I watch. I take pride in knowing how every show I watch was created, how it struggled, how it made it big, how it was cast, why it was cast the way it was, where they film different scenes, ALL of the background music, etc. etc. Without finding our way with the help of a good TV show, are we really finding our way? Being a goofy girl who loves to write is helpful in understanding underlying messages in shows. Maybe one day I’ll be the next Joss Whedon or Mark Schwann or Shonda Rhimes. Until then, I’ll continue to be infinitely envious of their creative minds.

Current shows I’m obsessing over: Grey’s Anatomy, The Vampire Diaries, and the sad conclusion of Glee (tear…).

5. Chad Michael Murray

To be completely honest, I’m always obsessing over CMM. But his most recent photo shoot has had me obsessing for DAYS. (Obviously, I set this photo as my phone background.)

I leave you with that.

A Prayer For My Future Husband

“I pray he is ready for Reba sing-a-longs and One Tree Hill marathons.” OBSESSED

February’s Top 10

Here’s 10 things that really rocked my world this month (in no particular order):

1. Grey’s Anatomy

Although this isn’t technically just from this month, I’m still relishing in its brilliance so it counts. I’m currently scouring my way through the seventh season. Derek and Meredith: yes. Cristina and Owen: yes. Meredith and Cristina’s friendship: yes. I’m really liking the way things are going. It definitely gives me something to look forward to every time I begin a new episode. (Side note: Shonda Rhimes basically runs television these days, and I want to be just like her.)

2. Lady Gaga’s Oscar Performance

OMGOMGOMG. If you haven’t watched Lady Gaga’s touching tribute to The Sound of Music from the Oscars – GET ON IT. She showcased her immense talent that is typically masked by the fact that she’s kind of crazy, which left me and everyone everywhere starstruck. (Also, she got engaged this month so good for her! Taylor Kinney is a babe.) Here’s the amazing performance:

3. Shantel VanSanten

I recently met the One Tree Hill actress in Austin, and let me tell you, she’s as nice in person as she looks on TV/social media. We met at a hotel for a meet and greet after the Lung Force Walk in Austin, which she was a huge factor in its happening, was cancelled due to weather conditions. She was too sweet to offer the chance to meet her regardless of whether the walk was happening or not. We bonded over the fact that she went to TCU (approx. 10 minutes from where I grew up) and that she studied journalism (MY MAJOR OMG). I informed her of my unhealthy obsession with OTH and she said that she and her bf have the same obsession with FRIENDS. Celebs are real people just like us and love Netflix to the same crazy extent the rest of us do. Good to know.

4. New Noah Ritter on Ellen

Noah Ritter, the cutest red headed child who captured my heart after his first appearance on The Ellen Show last year, made another appearance recently. It was as good as ever. Noah, if you’re reading this (which you’re probs not because you’re 6): I LOVE YOU.

5. Old Facebook Statuses

They just don’t make them like they used to. One day you’re begging for people to text you and writing dramatic song lyrics that you probably don’t know the meaning of and the next you’re just sharing blog posts and begging for people to read about the crazy things you like. Dramatic-Middle-School-Kayla, you are missed, but your memory will last on forever (literally) on FB.

 

 

(Clearly in 2009, I had no friends)

6. Spotify

I am a diehard iTunes girl. However, Spotify is free. Therefore, I don’t have to buy the random songs I want to listen to for some random reason on some random day. It’s a glorious thing that prevents all sense of randomness in my iTunes library. Even though Taylor [Swift] doesn’t appreciate it, I do – and that’s saying A LOT.

7. (speaking of Taylor) Taylor & Karlie’s Vogue Cover

Taylor Swift. Karlie Kloss. Vogue. Literally, the greatest thing since sliced bread. They are the best best friends there ever were. (Until me & Tay meet, at least.) They are so perf and if I could be just like them when I grow up life would be miraculous. If you’re wondering why I’m a journalism major, read their story. Can’t wait for the moment that I get to hang out with them over a series of months and write a huge feature on them. Until then, I’ll continue to fangirl and tell everyone that I am, in fact, Taylor’s bestie. (She just doesn’t know it yet…)

8. Lips Of An Angel // Hinder

This is so weird. I’ve had the biggest addiction to this song recently. It’s been in my iTunes library since 2008, but since it came on shuffle a few weeks ago I haven’t been able to stop listening to it. Something about the rock ballad and the lead singers uncanny resemblance to Steven Tyler keeps me coming back for more. I don’t have a single idea where Hinder is these days, but if they ever want to stop by and sing this for me – I’d be down.

9. The University of Texas

SURPRISE, I’ve found myself thoroughly enjoying school, thus far, this semester. School and happiness are what you make of them and I’ve decided to pair the two together. Couldn’t be happier about being a Texas Longhorn and finding my way to what’s to come. Let’s go, Life, throw it my way.

10. Adam Levine & Behati Prinsloo

I don’t know y’all. They were just perfect together at The Oscar’s and I can’t get ‘Sugar’ out of my head and he’s beautiful and she’s beautiful and they are the epitome of celebrity power couple. (Since JT and Brit, of course.) Y’all keep doing y’all and make the rest of us feel like inferior beings – we actually enjoy it.

A Little Pre-Thursday Throwback: *Nsync Style

Consider yourself lucky. Here’s something for your viewing pleasure. JT you were and will always be my #1 (especially with that curly blonde hair!!!!!).

*Nsync- I Want You Back, 1998

Why “…Baby One More Time” Is Still a JAM in 2015

In celebration of the sixteenth anniversary of one of the greatest pop albums in existence, here’s why Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” still slays us all. Grab your favorite scrunchie and pull out that boom box, you’ll be humming these sweet, bubbly tunes for the rest of the week, guaranteed.

1. …Baby One More Time: Basically responsible for the flight of Brit’s career, this song is just pop gold. I mean, who didn’t want to be rocking that school girl uniform with those fuzzy pink hair ties? (Correct answer: NO ONE.)

Lyric that we are still obsessing over: “My loneliness is killing me – I must confess, I still believe – When I’m not with you I lose my mind” YES GIRL, GET HIM BACK

2. (You Drive Me) Crazy: Yes yes yes. It’s hard to think of a favorite Britney song, but this one is always in the top tier. It’s all about being crazy over a boy- HELLO WHO ISN’T? Also, this video literally rocks & Sabrina the Teenage Witch is in it, so hey! cool.

Lyric that we are still obsessing over: “The Earth is moving, but I can’t feel the ground” This is what being head over heels for Justin Timberlake feels like, I just know it (♥RIP to their love and matching blue jean outfits♥).

3. Sometimes: Whenever I think of 90’s/early 2000’s pop, this is THE song I use to describe the sound. It is the pop ballad that really hits the heart every time you listen to it. I’m also totally not over all of the white outfits on the pier and the dancing heart with Brit in the middle, too good.

Lyric that we are still obsessing over: “Sometimes I run – Sometimes I hide – Sometimes I’m scared of you” Literally, this is life. Britney knows how it is.

4. Soda Pop: Britney stated in an interview that she loved this song because it’s “like a party.” She is SO right. We might not be sipping soda out of a cute bottle with a bendy straw and rollerblading around with our friends, as I envision the party that she’s describing, but with this song comes some serious dancing. This song is so underrated & kind of funny, but it will have you breakin’ out all of the moves.

Lyric that we are still obsessing over: “Mm-hmm soda pop, watch it fizz and pop – The clock is tickin’ and we can’t stop” We love these lyrics, not because they are really the only thing that is understandable without looking up lyrics, but because the party never stops. Am I right, Brit?

5. Born To Make You Happy: This song sounds so much more grown up than the rest of the album. In our current day and age, people probably have a problem with how Brit-Brit just wants to give herself to her man, by saying her life is incomplete without him and that her sole purpose in life is to please him. However her shuffling of husbands/boyfriends/etc. in the past 16 years, would prove that Brit is in fact, a strong, independent woman who doesn’t need one man to complete her. Way to go, girl.

Lyric that we are still obsessing over: “Cause living in a dream of you me – Is not the way my life should be – I don’t want to cry a tear for you – So forgive me if I do” Don’t cry, he’s obviously not worth it. Go make someone else happy.

6. From The Bottom Of My Broken Heart: Probably the best break-up song ever. She is laying it all out on the line. She knows that he moved on and is with someone else & that he did her wrong, but deep down she really loved him and feels that he should know that. Wow, sad. It’ll break your heart a little bit every time she belts out that bridge. You lose that loser, B, and also lose that puke green bucket hat while you’re at it.

Lyric that we are still obsessing over: “But you put a dart through my dreams, through my heart – And I’m back where I started again” PREACH HOMEGIRL

7. I Will Be There: As the title of the track reads, this song is all about being there for your significant other. Although it’s meant to represent that you are the shoulder to cry on for the one you love, I think it serves as a good song for not just the person you’re kissing, but for all the people you care about. Everybody just wants to feel like they have someone there for them when they need it, ya know, high school Brit gets that.

Lyric that we are still obsessing over: “When you need someone, you just turn around – And I will be there – When you’re feeling low, let me know – I will be there” So comforting, that is all.

8. I Will Still Love You: This is a duet between Britney and Don Philip. Don’t know who that is? Ya, it’s fine, no one does. The song, itself, is really just an example of bubble gum pop, that consists of a continuation of endless promises of things that seem really sweet in theory, but are actually kind of weird. It’s a hidden Britney song for a reason, however once you hear it the first time it gets stuck in your head and you’re forced to belt it out as if the sweetness doesn’t make you kind of want to gag.

Lyric that we are still obsessing over (I guess): “The sky may fall and the stars may too –  But I will still love you” Eh, it’s a love/hate relationship for me.

9. Thinkin’ About You: An ode to the one you can’t get enough of. By the means of this song, Brit never gets tired of her man. She spends all day with him and dreams about him all night. This is def another one of those sugary pop songs dedicated to that cute boy we all knew in the fifth grade with the spiky hair and cargo shorts. Although, it’s a little bit more tolerable than the Don Philip duet, it’s still a little too sweet to swallow. However, we miss it because nothing is this cute anymore. Side note, Britney’s voice in this song ROX.

Lyric that we are still obsessing over: “Oh, you know I can’t get enough of you – Uh-huh, you know 24 hours won’t ever, ever do” Where can I find one of these people who never gets old and boring?

10. E-Mail My Heart: OK. The title of this song does not give it justice. It sounds so cheesy. All we ever really want is for our crush to text, call, email us telling us that we rock and that they are in love with us too. That is exactly what this poppy ballad is. *cue email coming back to life as our fave form of communication*

Lyric that we are still obsessing over: “I can see you in my mind, coming on the line – And opening this letter that I’ve sent a hundred times – Here’s a picture of us two – I look so good on you” BAM BRIT. Thank you for showing me that the best way for a boy to show his love for me is by opening my email and responding with a love note.

11. The Beat Goes On: This is a dance jam. It’s full of a whole bunch of nonsense syllables, but we jam nonetheless. Not the best of Brit, not the worst of Brit.

Lyric that we are still obsessing over: “Wait till you have reached the age, blah blah – History has turned the page, blah blah – We still want to hear a brand new thing, uh huh – We still need a song to sing, uh huh” Britney Spears says BLAH BLAH so I say BLAH BLAH.

HAPPY HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN “…BABY ONE MORE TIME”!!!!! We are jamming to you today and will jam to you for the next 16 years, because, frankly, nothing will ever surpass your wit and charm. Thanks Brit. Peace & Love.

ps. thx to google image & tumblr for these awesome photos and gifs

an analyzed look at our emotional attachments to TV

As I write this, I find myself in a mood that is very familiar to me: a little shaken, really passionate, somewhat heartbroken, a little bit happy mixed with a tad bit of sadness. The funny thing is- this has nothing to do with real people in my life, only fictional. You’re probably thinking to yourself “Wow, this girl is insane,” but you’ve all been there too. Through the gut-wrenching breakups, you’ve wept, and through the heartwarming friendships, you’ve found joy, all in your favorite TV show. Right now, I’m shaken at the fact that one of my favorite characters just got hit by a car. I’m hardcore ‘shipping Lucas and Peyton (as I will forever), whose love brings me great passion to find something like that in my own life. I’m heartbroken, mainly because the whole episode is a whirlwind but also because I will never date/marry Lucas or Nathan Scott (*cries actual tears*). “Why am I so emotionally invested in this television show?” is something I think literally every time I click “Play Episode” on Netflix. In fact, every show I begin I become a little too attached to the people that I’m watching and the scenarios that are being portrayed. I want to be friends with FRIENDS, I want to live in a town like Stars Hollow with the Gilmore’s, I want to be a badass like Buffy and have a vampire boyfriend like Angel, I want to go to a club like Tric and jam to all the sick bands that the cast of OTH is jamming to, and I want to have all the money in the world like the Upper Eastsiders in GG. What does this say about me? I’ve been aggressively contemplating what my significant attachments to fictional people and unrealistic story lines means and how in the world I let it consume my being in the way that it has. Here’s what I’ve come up with… I watch TV in pursuit of being entertained for 30 minutes to an hour at a time. Upon searching for this amusement, I find something that catches my eye or ear. For myself, It takes as much as the perfect song playing in the background to get me hooked, thus, instantly drawing my attention for the rest of the scene. Suddenly, I find myself wanting to know more about the characters I just watched in that glorious scene with the perfect music. Uh-oh, here comes my surrender. As I learn more about what’s going on in the story, I feel a little bit of myself slipping into the story, connecting to these imaginary people and in some (sometimes really outlandish) ways I relate to what they’re going through until I’m 100% all in. I’m rooting for my favorite characters to get together, I want to punch the mean girl in the face, I’m drooling over the brooding hunk, and I feel like I’m right in the middle of it all. As if my own real life wasn’t full of its own happiness, sadness, heartbreak, and passion, I’m craving that of people who don’t actually exist. We see these “perfect” people living these not-so-perfect lives on TV and relate with them because we are them. We might not be dealing with the same crazy things that they are, but when you strip all of that sugar-coating away, they are people going through everything we are. If you’re like me, you find it easier to write/listen/watch the things that you feel rather than saying them. TV is an escape. You see the characters having a problem, solving a problem, and moving on and that’s all you want for yourself. As long as we keep putting ourselves into the shows we watch we will continue to be emotionally attached to it. As for me, I’ll keep dreaming of my Lucas Scott, and keep my emotional attachment right where it is. One Tree Hill: Season 4, Episode 9 “Some You Give Away”

YOUR EARS WILL BE THANKING ME FOR THIS

This video is so important right now. As if it’s possible to get tired of listening to T-Swizzle sing these sweet tunes, add in Louisa Wendorff and Devin Dawson and you’ll be in a whole new world of jams. This is rocking my world ATM. Listen — you won’t regret it.

hey hi how’s it goin’

I’m Kayla Miracle. Yes, I really am a miracle (or so I’ve been told.)

Fun Facts:

1. I’m obsessed with Taylor Swift. I’d like to think that we would be besties if we met each other. 2. If a TV show was popular in the 90’s or early 2000’s, has vampires as the main characters, has really attractive men in it, or all of those things combined, I’ve probably seen the entire series at least five times and would love to talk to you about it. So what? I like TV. 3. I have a dog named Sawyer. I call her my daughter. We have a very close relationship. 4. Mexican food rocks. 5. Not really sure about this whole blog thing. I like to write. I find myself kind of entertaining. Let’s give it a shot.

xoxox