"And the Oscar goes to..."

Oscar season is a time of the year I always look forward to. In college, my roommate and I would check off each nominated movie as we tried to watch every one before the Academy Awards at the end of February. I've always been a big fan of movies, and my knowledge and appreciation for film only grew more in college. This was one of the first years I sadly say I didn't get to see all of the nominated films I wanted to, but I guess that's what you get when you're a young, hardworking person with little time and even less money.

Nevertheless, I watched the awards show and rooted for the handful of wonderful films I did see this year. I was delighted that The Artist took home best picture. The movie, although simple, was beautiful and heartwarming. It's gotten much praise (and flak) for being silent and in black and white. But the emotions you want from a movie where clearly there. I left the theater in such a good mood, and the concept still lingered in my mind for several days afterward. I don't know what else a viewer could have wanted.

I was also really impressed with Meryl Streep's performance in Iron Lady. The story of Margaret Thatcher is a powerful and complex one, and Streep played the role of a woman prime minister boldly. I was inspired by her character, and deeply saddened by the grief she felt for her late husband. Streep's performance was relatable in many ways. Although I've never risen to to power like Thatcher, I know what it feels like to fight to to be successful. Watching Iron Lady reminded me of my own struggles and successes. In her aging state, Thatcher reminded me of my grandmother, and the heartbreaking state she fell into in the wake of my grandfather's death.

An acquaintance brought this blog to my attention just a few hours ago. I'm still steaming after having read through it an hour ago. "It’s worldview, not artistic merit, that helps unpopular films dominate the Academy Awards." I can't disagree that Hollywood is out of touch from most of its viewers. Think of programs like Californication, Rescue Me and Nip Tuck, all shows I find really entertaining. The characters in these shows, in most ways, are not like the average American. The (less-than) moral standards they represent are blasted out on screens to millions, who so easily gobble it up. And as I'm seeing now (in the flashy world of South Florida,) some of these ideals expressed on this raunchy shows are becoming completely acceptable social norms. That is scary.

I agree that the world of Hollywood is out of touch. I wouldn't necessarily say film, as a whole, is though. The biggest beef I have with this blog is that the author hasn't seen one of the films he is critiquing in his response to the awards show. How does that make him credible at all? Christopher Plummer's role is a minor one in the film, hence his nomination for a supporting role. He plays an aging father struggling with his attraction to men. He lived his entire life as a lie, and in return, the mother of his child lived unhappily. This a concept that people can relate to, that people understand, or at the very least, can evoke some sort of emotion and response. I don't think one's beliefs or lifestyle choices "get in the way" of enjoying a movie, say for example, like Beginners. It's a story of love, in all its forms, and I would hope that most people can appreciate that. To dismiss this movie, and Christopher Plummer's stunning (not to mention now award winning) performance because of the character's homosexual relationships he develops near the end of his life, is unsettling. The gay culture is apart of American culture, whether you like it or not. Beginners was an independent film that didn't get much play in the box office. It was great to see the acclaim it received from the Academy. Although the film's roles were played by "out of touch" Hollywood actors, each and every character in that film was real and relatable. People can relate to the feelings of loss, of being lost, of being hurt, of finding love. I encouraged this Facebook acquaintance to watch the movie and tell me otherwise.

Watch something that makes you think. Watch something that makes you feel. Watch and perhaps, learn about something that maybe you're not so comfortable with. That is what film is all about.

"There’s nothing in life that’s worth doing, if it can’t be done from a horse."

This is me and Gigi, or more formally know as Lady Godiva. She's the big, beautiful dutch mare teaching me how to ride dressage. I rode some dressage in college, but have primarily always been a hunter/jumper rider. A new friend in South Florida turned me on to the discipline, and I have fallen in love. It hasn't been an easy journey though. There's been a lot of back to basics work to retrain my body. No more front and forward, propped out of the saddle with lazy hands. It's sitting tall now, and deep in my seat, with open thighs and light, but firm (sounds like it doesn't make sense, right?) hand connection. I hope to blog more about my dressage journey as I progress. Isn't Gigi beautiful?

When Hollywood was calling out your name

It is so strange to think I have lived in South Florida for more than half a year already. Fort Lauderdale has been a bit of a "culture shock," and its taking some time getting used to since the move from little ole St. Augustine. The two communities differ in almost every aspect. From the quaint and quirky seaside city of St. Augustine, with its passion lies in art, laid back living and its pride in everything local and independent. To Fort Lauderdale, which is much more about the "hustle and bustle" with towering skyscrapers downtown, corporate happy hours, three major airports within an hour's distance and national chains out the wazoo.

There is a lot I miss about St. Augustine. Perhaps the most is just being only minutes away from everywhere, or being able to ride my bike to work and then out for a drink later that night. I miss the friends I made, the horses I rode and children I taught about horses. I miss covering crime and spending more time out of the office on assignment than stuck in my cubicle. I even miss my sleepy little senior citizen condominium association. I miss First Friday art walks and drinking good craft beer. I miss the fun local music scene.

But don't get me wrong, there's so much to like about Fort Lauderdale. Broward County is a blue dot in an otherwise sea of red when it comes to the state of Florida and its politics. Wilton Manors is such a fun part of town. I love being just a bike ride away from the beach, even if I feel a transplant New Yorker would rather run me over in his BMW with his middle finger held proudly in the air than yield to me while I pedal, legally, down the bike lane. I love how close I am to Wellington, the professional equestrian mecca of the U.S. I love that concerts, art shows, independent theater and musical theater productions come through often. And of course, the many art museums.

Just before I graduated from UCF and made the move to Northeast Florida, I took a moment to reflect on my time in Orlando and the spots in Orange County that I fell in love with. Although much belated, I think it's only fair that I pay St. Augustine the same homage.

1. Stogie's Jazz & Cigar Bar. This was the regular hangout spot every weekend, or hell, every few days for my entire length of stay in St. Augustine. It was what appeared to be an old, two-story home turned into a quaint and dimly lit jazz bar. One where its music flowed out into the streets even into the early morning hours, and the sweet smell of it's cigar smoke hung thick on your clothes from just passing by. This place has an impressive selection of craft beer in bottle and in tap. Plus they also make coffee and sell cigarettes. There's nothing better than sitting on the couch and watching the House Cats play a late evening set on the weekends.

2. The Floridian. A fresh, alternative place to eat that offers unique, homemade vegetarian and vegan options. This place has a old town southern feel, with menu items like a shrimp po'boy sandwich and fried green tomatoes to match. From their freshly homemade soups, which change daily, two their veggie burgers, this place has the best food in St. Augustine. What's interesting about it's location too is that because the restaurant is located across the street from a church, those interested in purchasing alcohol must do so only in the back room. Because legally, you have to be so many feet away from a church to purchase a glass of wine or bottle of beer.

3. Johnnie's. This bizarre restaurant concept/night club setting never really took off. But that's okay, I always enjoyed that there were no crowds at the bar on Thursday nights, when it was $2 drafts for ladies until Midnight. Johnnie's, a breakfast restaurant adorned in an Asian fusion decor, hosted an indie dance night every Thursday night. It was a fun place to just get loose, and not have to worry about how silly you may look dancing next to portraits of naked Asian women with samuari swords.

4. Cafe 11. This beach side cafe and music venue was a hidden gem in St. Augustine. The kind of shows the owner of the venue was able to bring to our small community (Mountain Goats, Modest Mouse, etc.) was amazing. It's a small indoor/outdoor cafe just across the street from the Atlantic Ocean, with a small stage, little bar with craft beer and awesome sandwich creations. I was always a huge fan of their iced coffee too. You really couldn't ask for a better intimate concert experience so close to home.

5. St. George's Tavern. This a token dive bar spot, which surprisingly does not get overrun by tourists despite its St. George Street location. This dirty little bar is a no frills kind of a place, with a long bar and some booth seating, bathrooms and a jukebox (that's it.) What you see is what you get. The beer and liquor bar serves the usual, but it holds a special place in my heart because they were never short of pickle juice. A staple shot that one must do while at the Tavern is the Pickleback: a shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey followed by a shot of straight pickle juice. It sounds awful, I know, but let me tell you -- you will be surprised. The Tavern is the place to go when you go out planning on not coming home sober.

"Horses are expensive, addictive and will impair your ability to use common sense."

[A teenage version of myself, showing my paint gelding, Tuff Stuff.]

I am now a staff contributor to Horse Junkies United, an International horse blog covering every inch of the equestrian sports world. It took a minute for me to find the joy in writing about business related topics once I made the jump from crime reporter to biz reporter, and writing without pressure for this blog helped me rediscover why I do what I do.

Horses have played a large part of my life since I was child. From growing up owning them, to competing on my college teams, and facing the loss of not only a pet but an athletic partner, I am completely devoted to the sport. As a young professional, riding is my outlet --I look forward to getting dirty and sweaty at the barn when I leave this cubicle everyday.

In St. Augustine, I was able to find a niche for myself exercising a barn full of horses and giving lessons to young riders. It turned into a profitable part time position, one which taught me more about being a role model for young girls and testing my knowledge about horses than I ever thought possible. But man, was it hard work.

Although I have found some great horses to ride and train in Fort Lauderdale, I'm excited to see where this blogging experience may take me. Living in South Florida, I am in the hub of the professional Hunter/Jumper circuit, and have the opportunity to cover the Winter Equestrian Festival as a writer for HJU. It's been a lot of fun so far and I'm looking forward to the future I have with the blog.

Here are some of the stories I've written so far:

Riding on the beach is no exception for disaster

Being young and loving horses... then University comes and messes it all up

Don't be a selfish horse owner

Therapeutic Riding - How horses help change lives

Cuts, layoffs and more bad news

I recently left my first full-time reporter position at a small daily in St. Augustine, Fla. I took a job at a much larger daily in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where I’ve been for a little more than two months now. Last week, my past employer laid off 10 percent of the newsroom staff. What’s left is in shambles. When you’re already working with such a small staff, even the most minimal cuts are felt.

One of the best editors I’ve ever worked with was a victim in these lay offs.

In light of this, and newspaper layoffs spreading across the nation like wildfire, I give you this blog, referred to me by a friend suffering through all of it in St. Augustine, It details the emotional side of layoffs from the point of view of the Dallas Morning News - a massive and forward thinking news outlet that like the rest of us, is buckling under terrible corporate pressure.

Click here for an interactive map tracking newspaper layoffs across the country.

One of my favorite quotes from the site: “If the layoffs do happen and are anything as large as some of the chatter, there is a special place in Hell for whoever in HR or the legal department or whatever other layer of the corporation decided this w…as a good way to do this, shared by whichever of the top bosses agreed and issued the orders to stay silent. … Journalists have a need to know set deep in our DNA. All of the previous layoffs, the bosses gave us enough advance notice to let us plan and to satisfy some of that inbred curiosity. To leave us this time with nothing but rumors that have been impossible to validate was a needless cruelty.”

Connected

This is Gallie, a stocky quarter horse mare I worked with regularly out at the farm in St. Augustine. Her owner is a college student and had been out to see her twice in the past two years, all while her parents continue to pay board for the animal to live there. I started working with her because the farm was in need of a good lesson horse and we wanted to see if Gallie could play the part.

The first time I tried to ride her, she reared up while tied in the wash rack, and tried to kick me while I put a saddle on her. Over the span of several months, I took baby steps working with her and trying to get her back in shape. She’s knocked me down, broke several sets of reins, and bit me, but luckily I was never seriously hurt.

But eventually, you could say I grew on her. Something clicked when one morning I went to get her from the pasture and instead of pinning her ears and sidestepping away from me, she nickered gently and came walking up with her head down low. She’d let me love on her, scratch her between the ears and stood quietly while I groomed her. When under saddle, she got right down to business and was a pleasure to ride.

I miss this mare more than anything. I can’t help but feel I abandoned her now that I’ve moved and she no longer has a person.

Wedding bells are ringing in the chapel

Today I returned from a short, four-day trip to Jamaica with my family. My parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this weekend by renewing their wedding vows on the beach. At this day and age where most of my friends' come from broken families, it was wonderful to be apart of their ceremony and see first hand through my parents what true love is really like.

Aren't they cute?