The 14-year-old girl in me is really loving this:
It's the perfect combination of semi-recognizable indie stars, cute outfits, and 50's-influenced romantic girlsong. It also features a plot device so frustratingly avoidable and suggestive of dramatic irony that it takes me back to when I was in junior high and went to see Baz Luhrmann's Romeo & Juliet, and started crying 10 minutes into the film because I knew how it was going to turn out at the end.
And speaking of people I once was and no longer am....
I signed in today with the intention of deleting this blog. I haven't updated in so long, and never really seemed motivated to write anything. I had originally started this as an outlet for creativity and random word diarrhea, and then at some point, I stopped feeling very imaginative. Funny thing about writer's block, though... for me it's often more self-imposed than influenced by anything external. The second I sat down and actually started typing, I came up with a million things I wanted to talk about and explore.
This might also have something to do with my raging procrastination issues and the several design projects I've been putting off completing since FOREVER, that I was planning to get finished today. But whatever works.
So the blog stays. Much like my tattoos, some of which no longer represent how I feel as a person, it remains important because everything that I once was has been a factor in who I am at this very second. None of it was inconsequential. While there are things in my past I now know I could have done better, I can't regret any of it. I am thankful for the experiences I've had and for the people I've known along the way, and what all of it has ultimately made me into: a rather great and still pretty wide-eyed, wild-eyed 29-year old with an entire interesting adulthood ahead of her.
The name stays too... but again, and much like one of my tattoos, the significance of which is changeable and will probably take on a subtly different meaning.
The look will probably change. But not right this second... I've got some projects to take care of first.
xo
Without
Monday, October 10, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Some more discoveries (with side notes)
Winnipeg is looking up... the snow is melting, I have actually been outside on a weekday while it was still sunny, and I have some projects on the horizon that I'm genuinely psyched about.
I've also discovered a few great new things!
Cinematheque: A small (like, tiny) independent theatre in the Exchange district, which is quickly on its way to becoming my favourite district in Winnipeg. Plays free screenings of experimental art films, and also great stuff that larger theatres are guaranteed not to feature. I was lucky enough to see the new Mike Leigh (trailer above). Side note: DAMN does that guy know people. And how lovely/horrible they can be to each other in the most subtle of ways. I need to watch Abigail's Party again now.
Parks and Recreation: The first American Sitcom I have actually enjoyed since Party Down. This is rare. I knew Amy Poehler was involved, and yet still had my doubts that it wasn't just a watered-down version of the Office. Nope (Knope), it's different. The humour is more absurdist than slapsticky, and the lead character is a totally likeable, well-intentioned, human person with a few well-written idiosyncrasies. But the whole ensemble cast is pretty amazing, with the one exception being Rashida Jones. She's super pretty, don't get me wrong, but she's about as exciting as a wet dishcloth. Side note: Does Rob Lowe ever age? I would like to know his secret. Unless it's stem-cell smoothies, in which case I'm good, thanks.
Sprouting things: Where has this practice been all my life? Sprouting is so fun and easy, and all it takes is a jar and some beans! I love the concept of instead of making your food more dead (aka cooking) before you eat it, you make it more alive. Side note: if you're sprouting chick peas, never ever stay at a friend's house over the weekend and forget to rinse/refrigerate them. The resulting smell could knock a buzzard off a shit truck from 50 feet away.
Curling! Curling curling curling curling. Side note: Curling.
Thank you and good night :)
Monday, January 31, 2011
I need to meet this mad genius
(Mom, if you're reading this: calm down, I'm not getting a cat. The sea monkeys are all I need. I just think this video is freaking awesome.)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
What my phone sees
This is the worst cookie I've ever had. It tasted like earwax and dishonesty.
Beer-tasting tower. Conclusion: the Polish beer was not so good.
Debbie Travis' terrifying countenance will follow you all over Canadian Tire when you're just trying to buy a hammer.
My morning commute-corner. Morning. When is summer again?
Despite the whining above, I actually really enjoy my twilight bus gig. And sometimes I'm surprised by really beautiful scenery like this.
Hoar frost: scandalous name, otherworldly appearance.
Winnipeg has its own genus of harmoniums. They cluster on the walls of bus shelters and feed off the vibrations from strangers' conversations. When someone smokes a cigarette inside the shelter, they shrivel up and die.Of Muppets and Mortality
Eh, whatever, a picture a day didn't happen, at all. Haha... moving on...
I happened to see this book cover in a window display while walking through the mall today:
And my mind immediately went here:
..RIGHT?*
Anyway, upon reaching this, my train of thought's rather odd and unplanned destination, two things occurred to me.
1) I don't think aiming to very literally resemble Janice the muppet is the right strategy to being thought of as sexy. Although she would ostensibly be the "sexiest" of them (cool attitude, musically inclined, big pouty lips), I'm probably within the majority when I say that I've never found a muppet sexually appealing.
2) This could, on the other hand, be some bizarre subconscious effort on Ms. Somers' part to stave off the aging process by transforming into something that isn't actually alive. I guess a lot of today's well-known plastic surgery victims (Dolly, Mickey, Meg, Heidi, I could obviously go on and on...) could be said to be attempting the same thing. Like, in their twisted minds (and yes I do think there is something mentally wrong with these people), it's better to look like Barbie, or Janice, or a blow-up doll, or a cartoon, than to look *gasp* OLD. They would take rigid, plastic, cold, and lifeless over being even the slightest bit wrinkled, or gray.
To which I say... EW, gross. Aging is beautiful, and embracing your maturity and the years of life that have brought you to this moment is one of the classiest things anyone can do. This philosophy applies to both mental and physical aspects of one's being, as far as I'm concerned.
HOWEVER.
On the very very slight chance that Suzanne Somers is reading this blog right now, and this right here is my one and only shining chance to get my message across in a way that will make sense to a silicone-addled botox junkie, I present the following:
That's Hoggle, best (ok, only) known for his co-starring role alongside David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly in the classic 1986 film Labyrinth. Hoggle is a muppet. Granted, he was never really a looker, but he was a bonafide, dyed-in-the-wool, handcrafted by Henson himself, muppet. Made of foam and fibre, plastic and polyurethane, he never breathed, ate, ran or swam of his own volition. His rubbery skin was not designed to wrinkle (further). His tufty hair would never turn gray and fall out (any more than it already had).
But then someone left him in an unclaimed baggage storage locker for 30 years, and now he looks like this:
Suzanne: Did Death Becomes Her teach you NOTHING??????!?!?!!!!?
*(Sidenote, while googling a picture of Janice, I wasn't too shocked to see that I'm not the first person on the interweb to have made this comparison. Yikes.)
(Side-sidenote, who the hell photoshopped that book cover? It looks like her face is two-dimensional.)
I happened to see this book cover in a window display while walking through the mall today:
And my mind immediately went here:
..RIGHT?*
Anyway, upon reaching this, my train of thought's rather odd and unplanned destination, two things occurred to me.
1) I don't think aiming to very literally resemble Janice the muppet is the right strategy to being thought of as sexy. Although she would ostensibly be the "sexiest" of them (cool attitude, musically inclined, big pouty lips), I'm probably within the majority when I say that I've never found a muppet sexually appealing.
2) This could, on the other hand, be some bizarre subconscious effort on Ms. Somers' part to stave off the aging process by transforming into something that isn't actually alive. I guess a lot of today's well-known plastic surgery victims (Dolly, Mickey, Meg, Heidi, I could obviously go on and on...) could be said to be attempting the same thing. Like, in their twisted minds (and yes I do think there is something mentally wrong with these people), it's better to look like Barbie, or Janice, or a blow-up doll, or a cartoon, than to look *gasp* OLD. They would take rigid, plastic, cold, and lifeless over being even the slightest bit wrinkled, or gray.
To which I say... EW, gross. Aging is beautiful, and embracing your maturity and the years of life that have brought you to this moment is one of the classiest things anyone can do. This philosophy applies to both mental and physical aspects of one's being, as far as I'm concerned.
HOWEVER.
On the very very slight chance that Suzanne Somers is reading this blog right now, and this right here is my one and only shining chance to get my message across in a way that will make sense to a silicone-addled botox junkie, I present the following:
That's Hoggle, best (ok, only) known for his co-starring role alongside David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly in the classic 1986 film Labyrinth. Hoggle is a muppet. Granted, he was never really a looker, but he was a bonafide, dyed-in-the-wool, handcrafted by Henson himself, muppet. Made of foam and fibre, plastic and polyurethane, he never breathed, ate, ran or swam of his own volition. His rubbery skin was not designed to wrinkle (further). His tufty hair would never turn gray and fall out (any more than it already had).
But then someone left him in an unclaimed baggage storage locker for 30 years, and now he looks like this:
Suzanne: Did Death Becomes Her teach you NOTHING??????!?!?!!!!?
*(Sidenote, while googling a picture of Janice, I wasn't too shocked to see that I'm not the first person on the interweb to have made this comparison. Yikes.)
(Side-sidenote, who the hell photoshopped that book cover? It looks like her face is two-dimensional.)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
I wish I wish I hadn't smashed that dish.
I can be uncoordinated and illogical at times, but normally I leave the spectacular displays of klutz-dom* to others. This, however, would be an exception to that rule.
I'm not pleased at all that I smashed this pot lid. It was one of the key players in the sophisticated, mostly improvisational semi-weekly performance I like to call "Makin' Curry". This lid was instrumental in the all-important simmering process, and would encourage my creations to bubble and thicken to a wonderfully delicious consistency, and all without losing any flavour. I can't believe it's gone. I've abstained from making any curries since I broke it... partly out of a weird form of self-punishment, and partly out of respect for the corresponding pot, who is probably only at the "bargaining" part of the five stages of grief right now.
Not to mention, the whole set was a wonderful gift from my wonderful mom, who is probably reading this and shaking her head with amused disapproval (I swear to god I was sober! It just slipped off the counter when I was washing up!).
Anyway - silver lining and all - I'll be damned if that pot didn't splinter into a pretty amazing looking disaster after coming to an abrupt meeting with my kitchen tile. So I took a picture of it.
Call me morbid if you will! I DID IT FOR ART!!!!!!!
*I totally can't stand the word "klutz". I guess it's apropos that the word itself is awkward, unflattering, and impossible to say without feeling like an idiot.
I'm not pleased at all that I smashed this pot lid. It was one of the key players in the sophisticated, mostly improvisational semi-weekly performance I like to call "Makin' Curry". This lid was instrumental in the all-important simmering process, and would encourage my creations to bubble and thicken to a wonderfully delicious consistency, and all without losing any flavour. I can't believe it's gone. I've abstained from making any curries since I broke it... partly out of a weird form of self-punishment, and partly out of respect for the corresponding pot, who is probably only at the "bargaining" part of the five stages of grief right now.
Not to mention, the whole set was a wonderful gift from my wonderful mom, who is probably reading this and shaking her head with amused disapproval (I swear to god I was sober! It just slipped off the counter when I was washing up!).
Anyway - silver lining and all - I'll be damned if that pot didn't splinter into a pretty amazing looking disaster after coming to an abrupt meeting with my kitchen tile. So I took a picture of it.
Call me morbid if you will! I DID IT FOR ART!!!!!!!
*I totally can't stand the word "klutz". I guess it's apropos that the word itself is awkward, unflattering, and impossible to say without feeling like an idiot.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Quickly, before it's too late.....
Tomorrow is the official end of any and all holiday-related breaks from work and the monotony of non-holiday life. BUT, in order to squeeze the last remaining droplets of festiveness out of the scant few hours I have left, today's photo will be a Christmas photo.
This is a photo of my very first Christmas fireplace in my very first own apartment, taken the night of the very first Christmas party I organized and hosted all by myself.
I still have a lot that I want to add to/change about this place... it's a work in progress. I'm very much in love with the idea of having my own space, and not having to compromise EVER on what I want to do with it.
I also really love that this photo, and in fact my entire existence in this town, wouldn't be possible without the contributions of people I love... namely, my mother and my aunt.
But above all... this photo is awesome because having a fireplace in the winter, especially in Winnipeg, is completely, utterly, cozily awesome.
I think I need to get a bearskin rug.
This is a photo of my very first Christmas fireplace in my very first own apartment, taken the night of the very first Christmas party I organized and hosted all by myself.
I still have a lot that I want to add to/change about this place... it's a work in progress. I'm very much in love with the idea of having my own space, and not having to compromise EVER on what I want to do with it.
I also really love that this photo, and in fact my entire existence in this town, wouldn't be possible without the contributions of people I love... namely, my mother and my aunt.
But above all... this photo is awesome because having a fireplace in the winter, especially in Winnipeg, is completely, utterly, cozily awesome.
I think I need to get a bearskin rug.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The photo quotidian of 2011
Yes that's right; let's see how this little experiment goes.
A photo a day.
Sometimes with an explanation, sometimes presented without comment... because it's funner that way.
A photo a day. That's the only rule.
Oh, except for the only other rule, which is that January 1st doesn't count because I was mostly incapacitated by the siren call of couch, pizza, snoozing and Scott Pilgrim for the first 24 hours of the year. So, today only, I'll post two.
This was the photo I took to field-test my look for NYE 2011. And it's pretty much the only picture I have of the night, because immediately when I arrived at the party's location, I met a dude with an analog SLR and took every possible opportunity to use his camera when I thought a situation merited being captured. Maybe someday I'll get my hands on his photos from the night, scan one and put it up here! One can only dream.
I'm not going to explain this one, but if anyone were to put in even an iota of effort, you could probably figure it out.
Ok, day one (technically two, but who's counting. In fact I'm going to put a ban on counting of any kind, in any capacity, on this blog, and the rest of existence... starting now) done.
I'm looking forward to seeing what 2011 brings.
A photo a day.
Sometimes with an explanation, sometimes presented without comment... because it's funner that way.
A photo a day. That's the only rule.
Oh, except for the only other rule, which is that January 1st doesn't count because I was mostly incapacitated by the siren call of couch, pizza, snoozing and Scott Pilgrim for the first 24 hours of the year. So, today only, I'll post two.
This was the photo I took to field-test my look for NYE 2011. And it's pretty much the only picture I have of the night, because immediately when I arrived at the party's location, I met a dude with an analog SLR and took every possible opportunity to use his camera when I thought a situation merited being captured. Maybe someday I'll get my hands on his photos from the night, scan one and put it up here! One can only dream.
I'm not going to explain this one, but if anyone were to put in even an iota of effort, you could probably figure it out.
Ok, day one (technically two, but who's counting. In fact I'm going to put a ban on counting of any kind, in any capacity, on this blog, and the rest of existence... starting now) done.
I'm looking forward to seeing what 2011 brings.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Thanksgrifting
This year I am thankful for:
- This crazy town that just might end up really working for me... at least for a few years. And also the fine folks I've already had the pleasure of meeting here, and their various social shenanigans
- The two people who gave me life and then made it possible for it to continue via the provision of shelter, education, security, and nourishment at regular intervals. Oh, and a whole bunch of love and support
- A fabulous new condo which will be mine in about 20 days (!!!!)
- The amazing curry I made for thanksgiving: salmon with sweet potato, chickpeas and green beans
- PG Wodehouse stories, most recently Uncle Fred in the Springtime, a tale involving love, loss, confidence tricks, and a rather ponderous specimen of the porcine variety
- Bulk Barn... I love the experience of wandering around and selecting products from giant bins! And it really takes the sting off the fact that I can no longer just wander into Kensington Market for all my grains and spices
- That a place like Mondragon exists here, even though I haven't been. I have them in my facebook and they keep spamming (is it really spamming if you're pleased to receive it?) my feed with their delicious-sounding daily specials. I promise myself that I will go there this weekend and report back on what will no doubt be an awesome experience
- Peep Show, series 7 of which premieres in November. I wait all year for this show, and when it comes it's over far too quickly... but will always be amazingly and hilariously worth the longing
- Roger Ebert's film reviews. I really love reading good reviews about bad movies. I don't know why
- Martin Dronesclub giving me the link to a subtitle file for this. I love foreign films, and I hate dubbing... plus having taken 2 weeks to download this movie and then realizing it didn't come with subtitles was, to put it mildly, a tad disappointing
Things I'm not thankful for:
- Oh fuck it, who wants to read a list of gripes? I'll leave this out and just focus on all the positives mentioned above :)
Happy Turkey (or in my case, Curry) Day to everyone in internet land!
- This crazy town that just might end up really working for me... at least for a few years. And also the fine folks I've already had the pleasure of meeting here, and their various social shenanigans
- The two people who gave me life and then made it possible for it to continue via the provision of shelter, education, security, and nourishment at regular intervals. Oh, and a whole bunch of love and support
- A fabulous new condo which will be mine in about 20 days (!!!!)
- The amazing curry I made for thanksgiving: salmon with sweet potato, chickpeas and green beans
- PG Wodehouse stories, most recently Uncle Fred in the Springtime, a tale involving love, loss, confidence tricks, and a rather ponderous specimen of the porcine variety
- Bulk Barn... I love the experience of wandering around and selecting products from giant bins! And it really takes the sting off the fact that I can no longer just wander into Kensington Market for all my grains and spices
- That a place like Mondragon exists here, even though I haven't been. I have them in my facebook and they keep spamming (is it really spamming if you're pleased to receive it?) my feed with their delicious-sounding daily specials. I promise myself that I will go there this weekend and report back on what will no doubt be an awesome experience
- Peep Show, series 7 of which premieres in November. I wait all year for this show, and when it comes it's over far too quickly... but will always be amazingly and hilariously worth the longing
- Roger Ebert's film reviews. I really love reading good reviews about bad movies. I don't know why
- Martin Dronesclub giving me the link to a subtitle file for this. I love foreign films, and I hate dubbing... plus having taken 2 weeks to download this movie and then realizing it didn't come with subtitles was, to put it mildly, a tad disappointing
Things I'm not thankful for:
- Oh fuck it, who wants to read a list of gripes? I'll leave this out and just focus on all the positives mentioned above :)
Happy Turkey (or in my case, Curry) Day to everyone in internet land!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Cooking with Gussie: Episode 1
This was quick and delicious... and I'm sharing it here since it was made off the cuff, and I'd like to remember how I did it. More wonderful recipes get lost to the ages because people make them up as they go, and never bother to record them!
Curry Quinoa Stir-fry
1 c. Quinoa
1/2 green pepper
1/2 spanish onion
1 can sockeye salmon (minus all the yucky bits they leave in there... who cans fish with the bones still in? I ask you!!!)
1 tb. fresh ginger
1 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. lemon pepper
1 tb. olive oil
First off, rinse the quinoa well in warm water, for 3 minutes... this is what the package told me, and I'm inclined to believe it's good advice. Then dump it in a pot with 2 cups of water, and start it boiling. Put the curry powder, chili powder and lemon pepper in there too. Once it's boiling reduce the heat, put on a lid and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
In the meantime, heat the oil in a pan, throw in the ginger (finely chopped) and onion and green pepper (roughly chopped). Then the salmon... and for the love of all that is delicious, watch out for those bones! I honestly don't understand that. Canned food is supposed to be more or less ready to eat, no?? I mean, what if I had just thrown the entire contents of the can in without looking first! Ugh! It had like, a spine and stuff....! But I digress.
So by this time the quinoa should be about cooked, and the ginger, onion, pepper and fish have had a chance to make friends in the pan. Now the quinoa is invited to the party! Make sure to politely introduce it to everyone else so it's not just standing in the corner near the chips & dips, staring at its feet (quinoa is known to be shy). Alright?
Mix everything around in the pan for a bit, then it's done! So you should eat it. It's amazing.
God, I should write a recipe book.
Curry Quinoa Stir-fry
1 c. Quinoa
1/2 green pepper
1/2 spanish onion
1 can sockeye salmon (minus all the yucky bits they leave in there... who cans fish with the bones still in? I ask you!!!)
1 tb. fresh ginger
1 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. lemon pepper
1 tb. olive oil
First off, rinse the quinoa well in warm water, for 3 minutes... this is what the package told me, and I'm inclined to believe it's good advice. Then dump it in a pot with 2 cups of water, and start it boiling. Put the curry powder, chili powder and lemon pepper in there too. Once it's boiling reduce the heat, put on a lid and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
In the meantime, heat the oil in a pan, throw in the ginger (finely chopped) and onion and green pepper (roughly chopped). Then the salmon... and for the love of all that is delicious, watch out for those bones! I honestly don't understand that. Canned food is supposed to be more or less ready to eat, no?? I mean, what if I had just thrown the entire contents of the can in without looking first! Ugh! It had like, a spine and stuff....! But I digress.
So by this time the quinoa should be about cooked, and the ginger, onion, pepper and fish have had a chance to make friends in the pan. Now the quinoa is invited to the party! Make sure to politely introduce it to everyone else so it's not just standing in the corner near the chips & dips, staring at its feet (quinoa is known to be shy). Alright?
Mix everything around in the pan for a bit, then it's done! So you should eat it. It's amazing.
God, I should write a recipe book.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Good Idea/Not So Good Idea
Good Idea:
Beta testing your new software.
Not So Good Idea:
Betta testing your new software.
(With apologies to Animaniacs)
Beta testing your new software.
Not So Good Idea:
Betta testing your new software.
(With apologies to Animaniacs)
Let's never say the "P" word.
So here I am, in Winnipeg. It's me, here, in the capital of Manitoba. I'm me, this city is Winnipeg. Full stop. This does not make me a "Pegger". In fact I'm not even sure if it's a real thing people call themselves... I've just gotten a lot of ribbing regarding this moniker from certain Ontario residents who shall remain nameless. Annnnnd that's the last time you'll see that word mentioned on this blog. It's now taboo - an evil that probably exists but should never be spoken of, like Voldemort.... or Justin Bieber.
And now, with no further ado, and in no particular order, here are some Winnipeg things thus far.
1) The view from my room. Not just another landscape... this view features a combination KFC/Taco Bell! It's not quite as awesome as if it was this... I'm going to have to make an amended cover.
2) Where I want to work. I found this company that seems incredibly cool... as does the owner. Talk to me, Tripwire Media Group!
3) Oh this really has nothing to do with Winnipeg, but I'm loving it right now. Some genius had the idea to take Kanye West's tweets and combine them with famously-unfunny New Yorker cartoons. I like this explanation of why the juxtaposition works:
Tadaaaaa! Much more Winnipeg-related, and non-Winnipeg-related, non-linear items of interest coming soon.
And now, with no further ado, and in no particular order, here are some Winnipeg things thus far.
1) The view from my room. Not just another landscape... this view features a combination KFC/Taco Bell! It's not quite as awesome as if it was this... I'm going to have to make an amended cover.
2) Where I want to work. I found this company that seems incredibly cool... as does the owner. Talk to me, Tripwire Media Group!
3) Oh this really has nothing to do with Winnipeg, but I'm loving it right now. Some genius had the idea to take Kanye West's tweets and combine them with famously-unfunny New Yorker cartoons. I like this explanation of why the juxtaposition works:
Kanye’s tweets are more or less raw id (unfiltered, portraying base emotions and simple thoughts) and New Yorker cartoons are almost entirely superego (carefully considered, ‘quiet’ presentation).Here are my favourite ones... but you can find all of them here.
Tadaaaaa! Much more Winnipeg-related, and non-Winnipeg-related, non-linear items of interest coming soon.
Monday, June 21, 2010
I could hear my frontal lobe sizzling like bacon as I watched this
... now everything smells like apples.
I enjoy that I live in a world where there exists a logical connection between the video above, and this.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Q: What were you before? A: Blue.
Right now I am loving this:
Things that I like to see in music videos:
- Silent captions
- White outfits
- Clockwork Orange references
- Alex Jameses
- Eyeliner on a guy that can't be classified as the fucking stupid emo-bullshit or poppy-glam lameness that is "guyliner"
- Weird industrial symbols for things like magnetic men and embryo martinis
SUPERB!
And on a pretty much totally unrelated note (except for maybe the white shirts? if we're being nitpicky), another awesome thing I've discovered lately is the Starz sitcom Party Down.
It's like Curb Your Enthusiasm humour mixed with workplace comedy, it's got hilarious people like Lizzy Caplan, Jane Lynch, Martin Starr, and Jennifer Coolidge, Paul Rudd is a writer/producer, STEVE GUTTENBERG plays an awesome (yet weirdly muscled) version of himself for an entire episode, and then just random awesome shit like this:
Although I think Starz sounds like a TV network owned by Lisa Frank. Eh, whatever.
Things that I like to see in music videos:
- Silent captions
- White outfits
- Clockwork Orange references
- Alex Jameses
- Eyeliner on a guy that can't be classified as the fucking stupid emo-bullshit or poppy-glam lameness that is "guyliner"
- Weird industrial symbols for things like magnetic men and embryo martinis
SUPERB!
And on a pretty much totally unrelated note (except for maybe the white shirts? if we're being nitpicky), another awesome thing I've discovered lately is the Starz sitcom Party Down.
It's like Curb Your Enthusiasm humour mixed with workplace comedy, it's got hilarious people like Lizzy Caplan, Jane Lynch, Martin Starr, and Jennifer Coolidge, Paul Rudd is a writer/producer, STEVE GUTTENBERG plays an awesome (yet weirdly muscled) version of himself for an entire episode, and then just random awesome shit like this:
Although I think Starz sounds like a TV network owned by Lisa Frank. Eh, whatever.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Some summery
Humber Bay Park and the viking funeral of Chunky the phone.
We saw this chip truck on the way to the park... it doesn't get more appropriate.
Offerings for the deceased to take with him to the afterlife. Chunky was never a fan of taking food from his charge cord... in fact, we thought he might have been anorexic. Hopefully he'll appreciate fruits, ice cream, pizza and fish and chips better.
His ringtone for years was Let's Dance by Bowie, so this is what we played on the turntable as we sent him on his way to Valhalla.
Goodbye, old friend... and hello summer.
We saw this chip truck on the way to the park... it doesn't get more appropriate.
Offerings for the deceased to take with him to the afterlife. Chunky was never a fan of taking food from his charge cord... in fact, we thought he might have been anorexic. Hopefully he'll appreciate fruits, ice cream, pizza and fish and chips better.
His ringtone for years was Let's Dance by Bowie, so this is what we played on the turntable as we sent him on his way to Valhalla.
Goodbye, old friend... and hello summer.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
What an action movie should be
This is the trailer for "Lebanon", written and directed by Samuel Maoz.
I was lucky enough to see this last year at TIFF, and was blown away (seriously, honestly, no pun intended there). I was actually volunteering at the time and probably should have been paying more attention to my ticket-ripping duties, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the screen...it was so powerful, moving, and incredibly unique.
The story is told from the perspective of four young soldiers in a tank in the Lebanon war; and you, the viewer, are stuck in the tank with them for the duration of the film. The majority of these guys are totally new and incredibly nervous, and their fears, hesitation, guilt, and of course, claustrophobia are brilliantly conveyed. However, there's also levity to be found in the sort of banter that is unavoidable when relative strangers are forced to get to know one another right quick. The whole thing was so affecting and just... so *real*, I wasn't at all surprised when I met the director after the show and learned that it was based on his own war experiences.
So in case it wasn't already obvious... this is a really big and genuine recommendation. Don't spend your money on whatever fucking bullshit $120-bajillion-CGI-budget blockbuster piece of crap is being shoved down your throat everytime you turn on the TV! See Lebanon instead, get the same adrenaline rush, and actually walk away thinking you've done something worthwhile with 2 hours of your life.
I was lucky enough to see this last year at TIFF, and was blown away (seriously, honestly, no pun intended there). I was actually volunteering at the time and probably should have been paying more attention to my ticket-ripping duties, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the screen...it was so powerful, moving, and incredibly unique.
The story is told from the perspective of four young soldiers in a tank in the Lebanon war; and you, the viewer, are stuck in the tank with them for the duration of the film. The majority of these guys are totally new and incredibly nervous, and their fears, hesitation, guilt, and of course, claustrophobia are brilliantly conveyed. However, there's also levity to be found in the sort of banter that is unavoidable when relative strangers are forced to get to know one another right quick. The whole thing was so affecting and just... so *real*, I wasn't at all surprised when I met the director after the show and learned that it was based on his own war experiences.
So in case it wasn't already obvious... this is a really big and genuine recommendation. Don't spend your money on whatever fucking bullshit $120-bajillion-CGI-budget blockbuster piece of crap is being shoved down your throat everytime you turn on the TV! See Lebanon instead, get the same adrenaline rush, and actually walk away thinking you've done something worthwhile with 2 hours of your life.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
What's a Winnipeg?
I know nothing whatsoever about Winnipeg! Except that it's in Manitoba!
When I think about Winnipeg, my brain goes like this:
...which is appropriate since pug faces kind of look like brains. But that doesn't make it right! I should stop being such an ignoramus, and make an effort to know more about the diverse and probably uniquely awesome cities in this pretty freaking vast country.
Maybe I should move there to find out more. Yes, I think this is the best plan... some real nitty-gritty firsthand investigative journalism.
More to come on Winnipeg in the future! But for the next few months, lots more about Toronto and all it has to offer before I go. It's like in a movie when someone finds out they only have ____ long to live... suddenly their lust for life increases 1000 fold and they do all the adventurous things they've always meant to do, but sadly they don't get to do that one last thing that was the central driving motivation of the screenplay and then the music gets really tragic yet beautifully inspirational as they slowly fade away on their deathbed and then their left-behind loved one walks into the horizon with a determined chin and a newfound appreciation for the impermanence of life and what it means to really be alive...
Except this won't be as profound as all that, I'll probably just be going to the beach and trying some new falafel places.
When I think about Winnipeg, my brain goes like this:
...which is appropriate since pug faces kind of look like brains. But that doesn't make it right! I should stop being such an ignoramus, and make an effort to know more about the diverse and probably uniquely awesome cities in this pretty freaking vast country.
Maybe I should move there to find out more. Yes, I think this is the best plan... some real nitty-gritty firsthand investigative journalism.
More to come on Winnipeg in the future! But for the next few months, lots more about Toronto and all it has to offer before I go. It's like in a movie when someone finds out they only have ____ long to live... suddenly their lust for life increases 1000 fold and they do all the adventurous things they've always meant to do, but sadly they don't get to do that one last thing that was the central driving motivation of the screenplay and then the music gets really tragic yet beautifully inspirational as they slowly fade away on their deathbed and then their left-behind loved one walks into the horizon with a determined chin and a newfound appreciation for the impermanence of life and what it means to really be alive...
Except this won't be as profound as all that, I'll probably just be going to the beach and trying some new falafel places.
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