An all time favourite movie of mine is Almost Famous. The music, the characters, the storyline, everything. Altogether it is a movie most people can enjoy. The soundtrack is stellar. One of the best scenes is where they all sing together to Tiny Dancer on the bus after Russell's acid trip at a local kids party. Penny Lane proves to be one of the most powerful characters and Kate Hudson plays her so well, she makes her broken-bandaid-girl seem to have it all when she has nothing. This is probably one of the only movies that I like Hudson in. Who wouldn't want to be William Miller, traveling with an up and coming band and writing for Rolling Stone magazine?
Arcade Fire has become one of my favourite bands. I've listened to some of their stuff for years but with the release of The Suburbs last year I became even more hooked. After their grammy win this past February they have literally sky rocketed to fame. A few months ago they said in June there would be a deluxe edition release of The Suburbs with a short film called Scenes from The Suburbs and behind the scenes footage. Although I haven't been able to find the short film on you tube (the deluxe edition was already released in the UK) I found a trailer. The film is narrated by Win Butler and it looks pretty good. I cannot wait to get my hands on the deluxe edition when it is released in North America in August. Here is the trailer for Scene's from The Suburbs.
Is it weird that I have a robot crush? Like many people I am a huge transformers fan. Growing up with two older brothers I never went for barbies but for video games and boyish toys. Transformers were one of those things. I've been a fan of the movies since the first one came out in 2007. Not to mention Shia Labeouf isn't bad to look at, neither is Megan Fox. Although the new movie is out today and apparently it is different than the past two, my childhood crush on robots is making me nerdy beyond belief. I might have to go enjoy Transformer 3 this weekend and relive great childhood memories. Also, to look adoringly at Shia.
we rode our bikes to the nearest parksat under the swings
and kissed in the dark
An old high school class mate of mine posted a news paper article on facebook about the correlation between where a student goes to university and the salary they will make afterwards. The article intrigued me because I go to a very good university but my degree is english isn't a direct link to a job. I am always asked if I want to be a teacher, and to be honest, no I don't. I read the article thinking that they might offer a glimpse at what universities are the best for future job success. However what it was leading up to was that they are thinking of putting out this study because of the number of young people with amazing degrees and no job. I have come to terms with the fact that I will graduate and probably work for minimum wage until I find something decent. However, I am not like most people graduating because I don't have student loans. Having a "real job" immediately after University isn't that important to me because I don't have anything riding on that. But there are a lot of people out there that do. In fact I believe more than half of university students have loans or owe their parents money. They have to move out or have other financial related worries that need to be addressed after they finish. After reading online articles I always enjoy reading the comments. Most of them were by parents with kids that have PhD's and Honours degrees in extensive and important areas but don't have the job to go with it. What I have always said is that University isn't the solution, it is a small step. The biggest problem is that students need to get out their and live and work and learn how to do a job. Sitting in a class room and writting a few well articulated essays won't get you a well paying job. People need to network and create working relationships that will eventually give them opportunities. I have always been a strong believer in college after university. It offers more need to know skills and doesn't base a whole education on how well you can come up with a thesis. Although I enjoy university, and I believe it was the right choice for me, I know that I will probably end up at college afterwards. I know that university doesn't offer you direct skills for a job. It gives you the basics. It teaches you discipline and responsibility. It seems that is it a heavy price to pay for life skills but that is what education is about. It is about forming people and real jobs come from working. I have a hard time listening to people telling me that my english degree won't take me anywhere. While most of those people have no imagination or open mind, it still irritates me because most degrees really don't take you anywhere. Even in science or business, most of the good jobs come from having more than a Bachelors degree. To be a dentist or doctor, it requires more school and more money. In business you are better off spending more time in school getting an MBA than trying to find a job. People still can't come to terms with the fact that there really aren't many jobs available and there is so much pressure on young people to enter a "real life" and get out of their parents homes. I'm lucky enough that my parents like having me around and that after university they want me to take it easy. However for a lot of people that is not the case. This article actually kind of annoyed me. It basically is trying to find reasons why young graduates don't have jobs. It's trying to find things to blame. The biggest difference comes from experience. If you get out there an volunteer or intern, you have more chances of creating good working friendships that could get you a job in the future. Altogether what I want to point out is that people need to stop thinking that just because you have a university degree you deserve the best job. Uni degrees are the most basic thing these days and as much as having a degree will get you more opportunities, it isn't as direct as it may seem. People need to work and it is sad that we live in a society where people think jobs and good incomes will come from sitting on a computer and applying everywhere. I personally believe in old fashioned leg work and getting out there and being seen and heard. You may face constant rejection but it is better than hiding out in your parents home saying "you have a degree and that should be enough". Life is a tough reality for my generation because it will continuously become harder to find well paying jobs. Getting there is about the work and some people still haven't realized this.
For most of my life I have been dealing with people who feel the need to brag to me. I've never been quite sure why people have this desire to tell me everything they bought or are going to do or what they are going to buy next. I've always narrowed it down to the fact that I honestly don't care and maybe people recognize that. I also assume that people are aware of the "things" I have and do in my life that I do not brag about or bother to tell anyone. I remember this one time I went to Florida, it was literally planned a month before we left, and I told my cousin that I was going. For nearly a month and then after I came back from my trip I barely heard from her. Then one day in late March she was on the phone with me and said "I couldn't talk to you because I was too jealous." I mean really? It is a vacation. I'm sure in her life time she'll take vacations and buy things and I probably will still talk to her and not stand around acting all jealous that I can't have a conversation with her. She went to Florida a couple years before and found out about it when we were away together at a cottage. I didn't stop talking to her because she was going and I wasn't. My point is that a lot (not all) people cannot be happy for others that appear to have something they don't. They can't wish them well before cursing them behind their backs. Recently, that same cousin broke up with a boyfriend and she has made it public (on facebook) that she is buying herself lavish gifts as break up presents. Now, I am of the mind that I buy myself what I want, when I want it. I don't need a reason or the green light. I'm my own person. However, what I can tell you is that it gives her a reason to brag publicly on facebook. First it was a pair of crystal-fake-diamond-looking earrings and now it is an iphone. She then stated that her 3rd purchase would be next week. Of course she won't tell you what it is because then she has no reason to put images on facebook. I'm not a bragger, nor am I envious of others lives. I have a lot and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I was taught a lot of valuable lessons about life and lifestyle from a young age and that echos in my values and choices that I make today. One thing my parents never instilled in me was a hate for others who had more than you. Not to be jealous but know that you will get the same in return. My mom always said to me "there will always be someone who has more than you, who drives a better car, who takes better vacations and who is prettier" and I always remember that. I mean being envious isn't a bad thing but being a green eyed monster, and not talking to someone because of something they have is just childish. I've come to understand that people brag to me because they think I will be impressed. That I want to be impressed because of the things I have or buy. What people forget about me is that I am not superficial. "Things" don't make me want to be your friend. They don't attract me to someone. The biggest turn off is when someone flaunts all their shit and thinks that it is impressing everyone. I am a simple person, I may like expensive purses and clothes and watches but I don't go "hey, look I broke up with my boyfriend and failed a test therefore I am rewarding myself with meaningless objects to fulfill the fact that I have nothing important in my life." I've realized that people brag to feel important. They brag because they are insecure and these things give them a sense of entitlement and meaning in life. People attached so much meaning to materialistic purchases that they feel it gives them status. It is sad that this is how the human race exists. But more importantly it is sad that I constantly have to hear the bragging of others when I really couldn't give a fig.
If there is one thing I love about summer it is dresses. Light, comfortable, easy to wear, throw on over anything, just plain simple. Its one of the only things I will wear without a thought during the summer months. Shorts ride up, tank straps fall down, there is always those days when finding something to match shorts or a skirt just doesn't work. Dresses are one piece and that is it, decision done. Throw on a blazer or cardi at night, bare arms in the day, cute sandals or flats and you are ready. I've recently turned to silk dresses to get that comfortable, sleek look in the day and dressy/classy look for the night. Aritzia, one of my favourite shopping destinations, has all sorts of amazing dresses that range from easily affordable to more expensive. All their dresses are crazy beautiful and follow trends or mimic the simplicity of summer dresses. They have florals, tribal prints, maxis, silks, cut outs, everything. For all occasions they have the best selection and if you go into the higher price point, you probably won't show up anywhere wearing the same thing as someone else. Here is one of my favourite looks, white, simple, very cute but would look dressy with a blazer. Only 135$. Summer dresses are the best investment.
