Well here we are. Life has taken us to the end of another calendar year. At this time a lot of tv stations are throwing out New Year countdown comedies, or talk shows that look back on the events of the year. When I was a kid I always thought New Years was kind of pointless - fun, but pointless. I mean afterall, we made up what a calendar year is anyway; it's not as if the world is somehow advancing to a new stage or beginning. Even we don't go on to new beginnings - seriously, how many of you actually succeed in following your New Year's resolutions? If you follow up on them for more than a month I applaud you; mine usually last half a week at best. But as I got older I realized something great about New Years: we look back and remember; and when we look back and remember, we might just learn something useful that will affect how we live from then on.
Okay, maybe that's a bit philosophical, but it's true. The news will remind us of all the bad things that happened (though when we live in comfort, we often forget that they still ARE happening - just because the earth stopped shaking in Haiti doesn't mean we should forget about aid); but also we look back on the good. Reminders of how to improve, and reminders of what was done right.
Personally, I am very excited for the New Year, because I am going to be doing a Lucy Maud Montgomery feature, among other things, on this blog!!! My favourite Canadian author EVER. So stay tuned. :) And also, 2011 means I am that much closer to finishing school, a place I have been regualry frequenting for the last 15 years.
I want to wish you all a very happy New Years. Please be happy, please be safe, and please focus on all the good that you can bring into 2011.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Happy Birthday Jane Austen!
That's right, today is Jane Austen's birthday, and we should celebrate!
How old is she? How was she born? What was life like for a baby in the regency period? - check out this blog to celebrate Jane's birthday! :)
http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/baby-jane-austens-first-two-yearshappy-235th-birthday-jane/
How old is she? How was she born? What was life like for a baby in the regency period? - check out this blog to celebrate Jane's birthday! :)
http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/baby-jane-austens-first-two-yearshappy-235th-birthday-jane/
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Because Bob Crachet Rocks
This post is for all those people out there who know that it is Christmas season, but are still trapped in a world of essays and exams, and won't get out until a few days before Christmas Eve...
Let me first say - I am one of you.
Let me say secondly that it sucks to be still at school, and there is no mood-killer more powerful than a dingy college room and chemical and political concepts to study.
But here for inspiration I look to Bob Crachet, who, in the famous tale, had it a lot worse off than I do just before Christmas, and managed to carry it inside him even as he sat with numb fingers infront of a ledger of finances. How can you get into the Christmas spirit without comprimising your quality work? Well, here are the top 5 ways on my poor-man's college list:
5) Drink Hot Chocolate. Seriously - and if you're requiring exam coffee, mix it half and half with your hot chocolate! Nothing warms you up like that, and it will get your taste buds in the mood for home!
4) Watch Christmas movies on Youtube. There's a ton of them there, classic or otherwise! Please use youtube responsibly - don't waste your study time on it like I do; watch a short movie before bed everyday.
3) Listen To Christmas Carols!!!!!! This is a top way to get in the mood!!!! Get a CD, tune on the radio, or make yourself a playlist on youtube and let 'er role! You'll find yourself destressing and singing along half way through.
2) Decorate. This could involve a string of snowflakes cut out of the paper that you printed out that stupid 10 page essay on that you won't be needing anymore; it could be building a snowman in your yard; it could be lighting advent candles in a common area; or putting up a Christmas stocking on your door.
1) AND THE NUMBER ONE WAY IS: Wear a Santa hat to your Exam!!!!! Not even joking! Any of you out there brave and full of cheer? Then do it! You will notice that people are staring - and also take note of the smiles on their faces. If not, Christmas shirts, earings, or reindeer horns may be suitable substitutes.
And have yourselves a Merry Christmas. :)
Let me first say - I am one of you.
Let me say secondly that it sucks to be still at school, and there is no mood-killer more powerful than a dingy college room and chemical and political concepts to study.
But here for inspiration I look to Bob Crachet, who, in the famous tale, had it a lot worse off than I do just before Christmas, and managed to carry it inside him even as he sat with numb fingers infront of a ledger of finances. How can you get into the Christmas spirit without comprimising your quality work? Well, here are the top 5 ways on my poor-man's college list:
5) Drink Hot Chocolate. Seriously - and if you're requiring exam coffee, mix it half and half with your hot chocolate! Nothing warms you up like that, and it will get your taste buds in the mood for home!
4) Watch Christmas movies on Youtube. There's a ton of them there, classic or otherwise! Please use youtube responsibly - don't waste your study time on it like I do; watch a short movie before bed everyday.
3) Listen To Christmas Carols!!!!!! This is a top way to get in the mood!!!! Get a CD, tune on the radio, or make yourself a playlist on youtube and let 'er role! You'll find yourself destressing and singing along half way through.
2) Decorate. This could involve a string of snowflakes cut out of the paper that you printed out that stupid 10 page essay on that you won't be needing anymore; it could be building a snowman in your yard; it could be lighting advent candles in a common area; or putting up a Christmas stocking on your door.
1) AND THE NUMBER ONE WAY IS: Wear a Santa hat to your Exam!!!!! Not even joking! Any of you out there brave and full of cheer? Then do it! You will notice that people are staring - and also take note of the smiles on their faces. If not, Christmas shirts, earings, or reindeer horns may be suitable substitutes.
And have yourselves a Merry Christmas. :)
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Voyage of The Dawn Treader
It's out in theatres!!! And I have seen it!!!! And I'm gonna manage to talk about it without offering spoilers!!!
Let me start by saying that I do not have a favourite book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. When people ask me, I tend to lean towards the one I have read most recently, or they mention their favourite and I remember how good it is, and become inclined to agree with them. But in my moments of sober reflection, I have come to understand that The Chronicles of Narnia stand together, and that I cannot love one more that the other, or less than the other. C.S.Lewis was a genius, and his stories are masterpieces. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is no exception. And since I am a big fan of the previous movies, I was pumped. Extremely pumped.
Well, without offering any spoilers, let me say this. I watched it in the theatres, (but not in 3D), and enjoyed it. It wasn't perfect, and perhaps it felt a bit disjointed: there was room for more character development than was offered, and the music was very different. And the ACCENTS - no one has a spanish accent in this film. Now, that would actually make a lot of sense in the case of the Telmarines, who may very well have picked up "Narnian" (aka British) accents because of the nature of their relations, BUT in that case, the 7 Lords should still have had Spanish accents, since they left during the Telmarine reign. However, despite these criticisms, I would be lying if I avoided saying how many AMAZING parts there were, beautiful scenery, amazing ship, AWSOME Reepicheep, Eustace surprised me, and the end - the end made me cry. In the theatre, with my friends, teared up. Yup. Embarrassing. But worth the embarassement.
So my advice: Watch It. Don't expect it to be like the others, but don't expect dissappointment either. Just hold on for the ride. The book, of course, is much better. But the film is an amazing window into the third story in the Narnian adventures - the chronicles of everybody's favourite land, and a another meeting with everybody's favourite Lion.
And if we're lucky - if you guys ALL go to watch it, and go more than once to the theatre, maybe, just maybe, Fox will agree to let them do one final installment, and we will see the mystery of The Silver Chair. Cross your fingers. Cuz that'd be fantastic.
Let me start by saying that I do not have a favourite book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. When people ask me, I tend to lean towards the one I have read most recently, or they mention their favourite and I remember how good it is, and become inclined to agree with them. But in my moments of sober reflection, I have come to understand that The Chronicles of Narnia stand together, and that I cannot love one more that the other, or less than the other. C.S.Lewis was a genius, and his stories are masterpieces. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is no exception. And since I am a big fan of the previous movies, I was pumped. Extremely pumped.
Well, without offering any spoilers, let me say this. I watched it in the theatres, (but not in 3D), and enjoyed it. It wasn't perfect, and perhaps it felt a bit disjointed: there was room for more character development than was offered, and the music was very different. And the ACCENTS - no one has a spanish accent in this film. Now, that would actually make a lot of sense in the case of the Telmarines, who may very well have picked up "Narnian" (aka British) accents because of the nature of their relations, BUT in that case, the 7 Lords should still have had Spanish accents, since they left during the Telmarine reign. However, despite these criticisms, I would be lying if I avoided saying how many AMAZING parts there were, beautiful scenery, amazing ship, AWSOME Reepicheep, Eustace surprised me, and the end - the end made me cry. In the theatre, with my friends, teared up. Yup. Embarrassing. But worth the embarassement.
So my advice: Watch It. Don't expect it to be like the others, but don't expect dissappointment either. Just hold on for the ride. The book, of course, is much better. But the film is an amazing window into the third story in the Narnian adventures - the chronicles of everybody's favourite land, and a another meeting with everybody's favourite Lion.
And if we're lucky - if you guys ALL go to watch it, and go more than once to the theatre, maybe, just maybe, Fox will agree to let them do one final installment, and we will see the mystery of The Silver Chair. Cross your fingers. Cuz that'd be fantastic.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
A Christmas-time Hero
Who doesn't love a good action story? Sword fights, fist fights, battle of wits, sneaking through creepy tunnels, battling evil, and maybe even winning a hot babe (traditionally refered to as a damsel in distress) along the way? Yeah, everyone likes one of those. But those tend to come along only during the regular season, not Christmas...right?
Think again! There's one you're missing! One that's been around since before you were born.
The Nutcracker.
For anyone who just rolled their eyes and thought "stupid ballet" I say - Shame On You! And it's not just a ballet; it's available in movie form, as well as in story books. Here is an action, fantasy, romance, historical, all in one, including a very moving soundtrack by none other than Russia's brilliant Tchiacovsky. (pretty sure he was Russian, sorry if I'm wrong).
So if you guys are needing a break from all the light-hearted Christmas cheer and need a dose of something more adrenaline-pumping, not even joking, get your hands on the Nutcracker in any form of media which you prefer. One of the greatest Christmas classics, and some of the best music, to ever come out of Europe!
Spoiler Alert: the ending of my favourite tv version of The Nutcracker, starring two amazing Canadians - Keifer Sutherland and Megan Follows - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9L2l5EWNt0
Think again! There's one you're missing! One that's been around since before you were born.
The Nutcracker.
For anyone who just rolled their eyes and thought "stupid ballet" I say - Shame On You! And it's not just a ballet; it's available in movie form, as well as in story books. Here is an action, fantasy, romance, historical, all in one, including a very moving soundtrack by none other than Russia's brilliant Tchiacovsky. (pretty sure he was Russian, sorry if I'm wrong).
So if you guys are needing a break from all the light-hearted Christmas cheer and need a dose of something more adrenaline-pumping, not even joking, get your hands on the Nutcracker in any form of media which you prefer. One of the greatest Christmas classics, and some of the best music, to ever come out of Europe!
Spoiler Alert: the ending of my favourite tv version of The Nutcracker, starring two amazing Canadians - Keifer Sutherland and Megan Follows - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9L2l5EWNt0
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Peace on Earth: The Lion and the Lamb
Okay, well this isn't exactly about the Lion and the Lamb, it's actually about the Elephant and the Dog, but you'll forgive the metaphoric title.
It's Advent; the season of preparation, when we wait for the coming of Christmas, just like everybody else did up until the end of the B.C. era. And we celebrate peace and joy and bogo sales. Getting along with neighbours we have NOTHING in common with. That sort of thing.
Well, in case you thought it could not be done - that the Smiths and Jones next door are impossible to understand, and that there will never be peace on earth - I would like to share a story. And it's true, so don't laugh.
There is an elephant reserve in Tenesee. Yes, I am aware that elephants are not, in fact, native to Tenesee. However, there is one there. Probably for retired zoo and circus animals. It is either comprises a majority of females, or is exclusively for females. It is quite common for these animals to pair off into bff groups, with other elephants they share some sort of primal understanding with. One of these female elephants, Tara, made a best friend - with one of the farms dogs.
This dog was barely taller than the hieght of Tara's foot, but the did everything together - eat, play, nap. Not kidding. And when the dog suffered a spine injury and had to be kept in an enclosed building at the edge of the property to recovery, Tara came and stood at the fence, everyday for three weeks, waiting for the dog to come out. She wouldn't abandon her friend.
For all those sappy gals like myself, this story has a happy ending; the dog recovered and was able to walk again, and they are now doing everything together once more. It may be guessed that Tara may outlive her canine friend by quite a while, but for now they are just enjoying eachother. I am including the video for anyone who doubts the touchinginess of the story.
Okay, I am not this stupid idealist who truly believes that everyone on earth would be friends if they could only see past the surface. No - I am not going to be friends with everybody. Conflicting personalities, the existance of jerks, that kind of thing. But just because you don't like someone doesn't mean you can't co-exist peacefully. If an elephant and a dog can become best friends, surely humans and humans can learn to live together. Being in love with all ur neighbours is not a requirement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4OD8dxIry8
It's Advent; the season of preparation, when we wait for the coming of Christmas, just like everybody else did up until the end of the B.C. era. And we celebrate peace and joy and bogo sales. Getting along with neighbours we have NOTHING in common with. That sort of thing.
Well, in case you thought it could not be done - that the Smiths and Jones next door are impossible to understand, and that there will never be peace on earth - I would like to share a story. And it's true, so don't laugh.
There is an elephant reserve in Tenesee. Yes, I am aware that elephants are not, in fact, native to Tenesee. However, there is one there. Probably for retired zoo and circus animals. It is either comprises a majority of females, or is exclusively for females. It is quite common for these animals to pair off into bff groups, with other elephants they share some sort of primal understanding with. One of these female elephants, Tara, made a best friend - with one of the farms dogs.
This dog was barely taller than the hieght of Tara's foot, but the did everything together - eat, play, nap. Not kidding. And when the dog suffered a spine injury and had to be kept in an enclosed building at the edge of the property to recovery, Tara came and stood at the fence, everyday for three weeks, waiting for the dog to come out. She wouldn't abandon her friend.
For all those sappy gals like myself, this story has a happy ending; the dog recovered and was able to walk again, and they are now doing everything together once more. It may be guessed that Tara may outlive her canine friend by quite a while, but for now they are just enjoying eachother. I am including the video for anyone who doubts the touchinginess of the story.
Okay, I am not this stupid idealist who truly believes that everyone on earth would be friends if they could only see past the surface. No - I am not going to be friends with everybody. Conflicting personalities, the existance of jerks, that kind of thing. But just because you don't like someone doesn't mean you can't co-exist peacefully. If an elephant and a dog can become best friends, surely humans and humans can learn to live together. Being in love with all ur neighbours is not a requirement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4OD8dxIry8
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