My Roots

I'm leaving on a jet plane! To the homeland!

...And to places that aren't quite my homeland. I'm excited!

Exclamation!

Haiku of the Day

Ask for permission.
Simple and overrated.
Avoids hard feelings.

Pet Peeve of the Day

People who seem to deliberately drive badly with Baby on Board signs.

I could just leave it there, and it seems pretty self-explanatory. But let me elaborate, because I'm frustrated.

I know I have road rage. But my rage does not come in the form of honking. Or speeding excessively. Or fingering people. My rage comes in the form of getting flustered and angry in the privacy of my own space. I talk to myself, shake my head, curse and smack my steering wheel.

What drives me up the wall is when people make silly driving decisions and then seem to show their anger toward others for not yielding to them.

For example, I was driving home last night. I was about 3 blocks from my house, so I'd consider it a very familiar area. I know the hidden driveways, the blindspots behind the trees, and the narrow spots in the lane. Yes, I saw this car about 50 feet in front of me that was trying to maneuver a U-turn. Normally, this isn't a big deal. Normally, people get their U-turn over with as soon as possible and move on. However, I was getting closer and this van was still doing its thing. I stopped, and waited.

I didn't honk. I didn't do anything but look out my window and watched the van.

So when the van (with too many Baby on Board and Children on Board and Toddler on Board signs) finally got out of the U-turn and pulled over at the side of the road, they finger me as I drive past.

I think I just don't get it. What did I do? Did I look a certain way? Did my driving body language somehow set these people off? Or are they like this all the time and just finger any ole person who stops and waits for them?

I don't know! And that's why I'm frustrated.

Plus, I wanted to be petty. I wanted to be mean and ask them if they patted their children's head with that finger. Who acts that crass with children in the car? I'm not an expert in parenting. But I know there are enough monsters out there without these bad influences influencing them worse.

Haiku of the Day

Summer snow falling...
Confusing Winter for Spring,
Caught in everything.

June Glymm Box/Bag

I love getting two packages in a row in the mail. Yes!

Once again, it looks like Glymm is now mailing out their samples in a little cosmetics bag instead of the old pink box. I’m not sure how I feel about this… I’ve already got plenty of cosmetic bags, and they’re going to start piling up. And fabric bags are a lot harder to recycle than cardboard. Not sure how they think this is being ‘green.’ I can’t really see myself giving these away to people… almost everyone I know has a cosmetics bag!

Also, they’ve gotten rid of the little card that came with every box describing the products. I loved those cards. I have kept all my old ones, so that I can keep track of the different samples and sizes of samples I’ve received in the past. Now we have to go online to search for the information.

Yay for:

La Fresh Acetone-free Nail Polish Remover Wipes                       2 Wipes (2 uses)

I was just about to go out and buy some of these to try. I’m going on vacation in a week and I’ve been considering bringing a little bottle of polish remover. But that is so messy and inconvenient. So I’m glad I will get a chance to try these. I can’t see these as being good for regular use. I mostly view them as being meant for travel.

Clark’s Botanicals Intense Radiance Mask                                     Size not on product

I do like masks. I don’t use them often (once a week maybe), but I do always like trying different types. More than anything I find them very relaxing. On the Glymm website it claims you can get 10-14 uses out of this. I highly doubt that. It’s just a little pot! Unless you have a very tiny face, I say you’re going to get 3-4 uses max.

Belvada Duo Lipstick Harmony                                                       3.4g (full size)

This packaging is ridiculously cool. It’s got lip balm on one end, and a lipstick on the other. You push each side to get access to the other side. In terms of the colour I got for the lipstick (Intense Red), it is a little too intense for me. It’s like bright Crayola red.

Nay for:

They included the Glymm bag as one of their products! I hardly consider that to be part of the 4-5 deluxe-samples I am receiving. Are they going to start including the CanadaPost packaging as well? What about the tissue paper used to wrap the bag? It’s a slippery slope…

Meh for:

Vitamin and Sea Perfect Skin Solution Skin Oil                                  1ml

The only oil I use is olive oil. This sounds like it has a lot of different ingredients in it, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. I’ll try it.

ItIsDream Salvadore Dali Perfume                                                             1ml

Personal preference. The scent isn’t my favourite. It’s too strong! Too sweet, too fruity, too floral.

Overall Impression of June’s Box/Bag:

I think this month was average. Glymm has been making some marketing changes that I don’t entirely agree with. I miss the card outlining the products. I miss the old cardboard box the products used to come in. I didn’t hate any of the products I got, and I’m glad they had a bit of skincare, a little makeup, and other products too. But the very first impression I got when I picked up the bag was, ‘this is so light.’ I for one equate heavier and bigger samples as being more worthwhile. At least I’d get more uses out of it!

June Topbox

 

My June Topbox came  a little unexpectedly. It was scheduled to arrive on the 14^th, but CanadaPost had it listed as stuck in Ontario. I didn’t get mine until the 18^th.

No big deal though, I know I’m going to get it, and a week or two late is better than not getting it at all. Customer service was also very friendly and helpful, and they helped me track my ‘stuck’ package.

Yay for:

Stila 10-in-1 HD BB Cream                                                  5ml

This wasn’t on my product description card. Instead I think I was supposed to receive the M. Asam cream, but I got this instead. I’m not complaining, I am a fan of Stila, and a fan of BB creams. I’ve tried this once already and really enjoyed the formula. Not drying, smooth, and silky.

Stila Forever Your Curl Mascara                                         3.5ml

I don’t often wear mascara. Anything but waterproof mascara always smudges under my eyes, and I don’t like how difficult it is to remove waterproof mascara. So I’d rather go without. That being said, this holds a curl really well. I think since I’ve been sullied by the thought of mascara, anything that holds a curl and gives length/volume is fine in my books.

Simple Beauty Makeup Remover                                        56ml

This is a generous sample. I love me some makeup remover. Useful, travel friendly, and good for sensitive eyes? Perfect.

Mark Gloss Gorgeous Lip Stain in “Bella”                           1.5g (FULL SIZE)

This is a very flattering colour on me. It claims it is a personalized colour, and I for one am inclined to agree. It has a minty smell and is very shiny. It is a little sticky, but I expect that from a gloss. It has a click end, to dispense the product through the brush applicator.

Nay for:

Garnier BB Cream                                                                 3x 1.5ml

I’ve heard glowing and bad reviews about this product. I’m glad I get the chance to try it. But I’ll agree with what some people have said… this leaves the skin really oily. Not my cup of tea. Better for those with dry skin, I’m guessing.

Meh for:

Pari Precious Glow Eyeshadow Primer Intensifier           No size listed on product

I have my selection of shadow primers, and this isn’t bad. It works. It’s shimmery. It stays. In fact, I think it is too shimmery… and I understand the appeal of a glow, but this is almost too shiny for daytime.

Overall Impression of June’s Box:

Where's that M. Asam product, hmmmm?

Once again, I liked more than I disliked. It is a good selection of products, and I’m glad most of them are makeup related. A lot of people complained that most beauty products are skincare only… but this fits the bill as being well-rounded.

Haiku of the Day

These sacred secrets
Leave this break harder to mend.
You're further away...

Concert Review: The Dandy Warhols 2012

I love the Dandys. I have been a fan since I was about 13 or 14, when I was starting to develop my tastes in music.

When I was in my teenage years, I did have a little bit of a Limp Bizkit phase. Just admitting that white I can. But after my anger dissipated and I realized that not everyone is out to get me, I started to listen to more quality tunes. The Dandys were there for me.

This is the second time I’ve seen the Dandy Warhols, and this is the second time I’ve seen them play at the Commodore Ballroom. That’s a fantastic venue, for sure. It’s just a giant dance floor surrounded by ambient seating. I’ve heard the opening band before too, but I can’t for the life of me remember their name right now. Something to do with Sleep. Sleeping… sleeping… nope. Maybe it’ll come to me later.

Now, seeing as I’ve seen them before, I will say they were much more talkative this time around. The Dandys aren’t huge on band-crowd interaction, but when they speak, they do make everyone feel involved.

There were a few people I didn’t know who joined our group of friends… one girl hadn’t ever heard of the Dandys before and asked me what kind of music they play. I think the best description I came up with was something along the lines of:

They’re psychedelic funk-groove sex music.

And yes, I don’t think I could get much more accurate than that. They are definitely alternative. They don’t get nearly enough radio play, in my opinion.

The concert itself actually didn’t feel too long. I can usually tell according to how sore my legs are getting. I did rock out a good amount, and the crowd was pretty tame. No one thrashing or pushing. Definitely the usual amount of drunken dancing. I was surrounded by a crew of very good looking and taller gentlemen. I always feel very taken care of, being short. I do also appreciate the shoulder-check before someone slips in front of me. Thank you to those who do that. 

I wasn’t a huge fan of the Dandys newest album This Machine. It’s okay, but it isn’t spectacular. There are some darn catchy beats on it, but nothing that made me stop and gape with my mouth hanging. They didn’t play exclusively from any one album, and of course they played the classic songs to get the crowd going mental. Bohemian Like You and We Used to be Friends are two foolproof songs, and the stage definitely got sweatier during those.

Another great show at the Commodore! I will definitely get another ticket if they come again. It was only $35 bucks this time around, so it’s definitely affordable. Check them out online if you can, and be bohemian like me and rock out!

My Math Experience

I hate math.
I haven't always hated math. I learned to hate math. My math teacher taught me to hate math.
Let me tell you my math story.

From Kindergarten to grade 6 I went to a small school in my city. We had about 20 students in each grade, which was below average. Then my parents decided that we were going to move. They wanted to move because they wanted me to go to one of the best public high schools in the province.

So we packed up, moved across the invisible border that determines who gets the better education, and who is left in the dust.
So grade 7 starts, and I have Ms. Chan. Not only was I bombarded with the stress of having moved to a new house, and having to make new friends... I had to adapt to a new school.

I loathe Ms. Chan. I quickly fell behind in math, and she chastised me. Blaming me for not practicing at home, saying I wasn't trying hard enough. I didn't know I had to try harder... I had always tried the same amount of hard and averaged a B grade back in my old school.

My parents were talked to during the parent-teacher meeting. A tutor was hired. And note that I loved my tutor and she helped me a great deal... but Ms. Chan kept discouraging me. Kept reminding me that I was behind. Thanks, I needed that reminder. I couldn't have figured that out on my own.

So I started high school math, and for the first three years everything went back to normal. Grade 8, 9, and half of 10 I had Ms. Johl. She was an extremely chipper and enthusiastic teacher. She helped her students along, was encouraging, and even handed out stickers. I don't care what anyone says, I am a sucker for prizes. And stickers are awesome. You should have seen my binders and pencil case.

Then, a terrible accident befell Ms. Johl halfway through grade 10. The giant projector screen (held up by screws) at the front of the classroom fell on her back. Now, I've never held one of those screens... but I know they're heavy. She was out of the running for the rest of the year.

So, since it was so short notice and it was already December, they had to call in substitutes. Now, I love me a good lenient sub. But we had a new one every week, and it's impossible to learn anything with conflicting and changing teaching methods. Our class tried, we did.

Again, I fell behind.
So I entered grade 11 with a rather stunted math experience. I missed Ms. Johl.

I had Ms. Young in grade 11. She was literally pregnant half the time she taught us. I hated her too. One of the worst memories of her involved her calling students up to her desk. We had a class of about 30, and she called up over half the students. She told us we were all failing her class.

I wish I had the gall to say what I was thinking... if I didn't want to end up in detention for being belligerent: if over half the class is failing, it isn't the students. It's the teacher. You are lacking something.

Then she told those failing students that we shouldn't continue into grade 12 math. We should drop out, to avoid failing math 12, to save ourselves the embarrassment of a bad GPA.

So I did just that. I didn't take grade 12 math. Most people, when they hear this, say, "don't you need math 12 to get into university?"
No. What is this, communist China? We don't NEED anything. There are always loopholes and workarounds and exceptions. The exception for me was that I'd get accepted due to my stunning grades, and have to take a math 12 equivalent course in university.

So I did, and I did fantastically. Because my teacher was awesome, patient, kind, and explained things clearly. I ended up taking another math class even after that. Not an equivalent course, just a university-level math course. And I did good in that as well.

Know why? Because we aren't defined by what shortcomings our bad teachers say we have. We aren't the sum of our bad experiences. We just need some encouragement, teachers who don't constantly get pregnant, and teachers who don't tell us to quit.
This isn't Las Vegas. We aren't a town build from the money of losers. We succeed and do well and overcome because we keep trying. We don't listen to those discouraging sayings. We go on to prove all those idiots wrong.

So suck it math. I win! And I can't put that on a parabola for anything.

Movie Review: Prometheus (2012)

Rating: R

IMDB Rating: 7.7/10

The plot according to IMDB:

A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

I saw this last night with my other half, and had a jolly fun date night. I got excited for this movie when the first trailer came out. That was when Michael Fassbender was getting all the great feedback and gaining popularity. Now, I haven’t seen the original Alien movie since I was around 8 years old. I will go back and rewatch it, because I feel like Prometheus and Alien should be chunked together.

However, Prometheus is NOT a direct prequel to Alien. It’s the same universe, same-ish timeline, and similar enemies and technology… but the plots are NOT intertwined. So I approached this as a brand new movie in a brand new franchise.

Noomi Rapace stars in this, and she goes through a lot. Poor girl. Michael Fassbender does a spectacular job portraying a robot, and Charlize Theron plays an enigmatic power-hungry woman very well. Idris Elba is also in this and convinced me to love him. He’s just an adorable character and does a lot with the small role he was given.

There were a ton of themes in this movie, and I’m not going to go through all of them. The one that struck me most was how sometimes bad things happen for no real reason. Sometimes people who never smoke get lung cancer. And in the same way, sometimes a terrifying SOMETHING can get you without you doing anything to provoke it.

Another main theme was how people will do anything to answer the questions they seek. Now, as a Christian myself, I understand that desire. To know where we came from. What happens to us when we die? Who is in charge? People have this inherent curiosity about our origins, and sometimes we’ll make dumb choices to find out. That is, after all, why they named this Prometheus. It’s all about learning the origins of our species and seeking knowledge from our creators.

I enjoyed this movie. It was filled with suspense. It wasn’t disgusting, it wasn’t filled with action… but it had enough violence and great facial-acting to keep me interested.

Highlights:

• Seamless CGI
• A-list cast of talented actors
• Robots
• Timeless story told in a pretty refreshing way
• Ridley Scott!
• Those you’d think would die, didn’t right away. 

Lowlights:

• Some people thought there were a lot of unanswered questions
• A lot of deleted scenes that may have helped clarify some points
• Not much ‘alien,’ more ‘space beings’

My Verdict:

8/10

Pet Peeve of the Day

Sexism

Specifically, sexism that I've experienced calling into call centers. Also the sexism I've doled out whilst working at a call center.

I'll be honest. I not only know it exists, but I let it propagate itself. Whenever I have to call a phone company to deal with my phone bill, or if I need to cancel a subscription (something as simple as a magazine subscription), I will ask my Dad to call. If not my Dad, then someone with a masculine voice.

The shame of it is that I know that this is more effective than if I call in myself. I have a meek voice, and I'm hardly ever aggressive. Well, I feel bad being aggressive toward people I don't know. Which, it turns out... is exactly the reason WHY people are aggressive to strangers.

During my 3+ years working at a call center, I experienced a slew of disgruntled and frustrating customers. People who would argue over the littlest and most trivial of issues. Things that would get my blood boiling and kill off brain cells.
Despite knowing there was a comfortable and safe distance of however-many-miles between this psycho and me, I trembled a bit every time someone yelled at me. And it was usually men that yelled.

This isn't to say all men are confrontational on the phone. In my experience, the majority of them are. I've heard some abrasively violent female voices yell at me too. Caustically. But for whatever reason, people on the receiving end don't take female threats as seriously.
Perhaps this is because on a few occasions those who have followed through on threats (people throwing chairs through windows of buildings and running their car through a business front) were all men.

Okay. Edit. I don't tremble... but I do feel myself getting a little shaky. I become less assured. I suppose this must translate in my voice (though I try my hardest to subdue this tell).

So when a woman calls in, I am way more likely to sound friendly with them. If a man calls, I start off friendly, but with even a hint that he may turn on me, I take on much more of a growl.

People still associate women as the more delicate sex, and maybe that's all true. Maybe we are weaker and more emotional and irrational. But here's rationality for you... (and take it while you can, as a woman I can tell you that rationality comes sparse) maybe if everyone were nice then people would be more inclined to help you out.

I've always said thank you at the end of every frustrating call. In person or behind the shield of the phone (and the anonymity that follows), I will make a point to thank someone for their time. I don't care whether I'm truly thankful or not. (Note that it's this anonymity that is key to people's overtly belligerent and difficult behavior. People are typically much nicer to women if they saw them and interacted with them face-to-face. Plus I could glare back. And my glare can sting).

At the end of a 6 hour shift I can usually count my 'thank-you's' on the digits on my hands and feet. So each one counts.

What's the saying? You can attract more flies with honey than with vinegar. It's true. Be nice, and the world will want to help you. Be an ungrateful jerk, who is yelling and cursing and threatening, and I doubt the same people will want to help you. It's just subliminally allowing and condoning that behavior.

I'll still get someone manly to call in for my troubles. They're more likely to get a better deal than me. One day, however, I'll buy one of those voice-modifyers. I'll first practice it on my closest friends and imitate Scream movies. Then, I'll be getting the best cell-phone service anyone has ever bargained for!

Movie Review: Dr. Seuss's The Lorax (2012)

Rating: PG

IMDB Rating: 6.5/10

The plot according to IMDB:

A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.

I wanted to love this. I wanted to find it cute and adorable and charming and very reminiscent of the Dr. Seuss books I used to love. Unfortunately, it lacked the spark and attention that I think it deserved. I’ve read the Lorax (granted, many years ago), and I don’t recall it being as… massively Hollywood. Yes, I get that Hollywood made this. But I don’t get that they had to push Taylor Swift and Zac Efron’s voice on us.

Also in the original story, they didn’t really explore the dangers of consumerism and the state of our un-environmental society. Yep, I get that the Lorax is a story about trees and saving them. I didn’t know it was a story about a town full of complete assholes. It got too preachy for me, and I’ve seen a ton of children’s movies. I know how message-y they can get. This went overboard.

Also I think it focused too much on the town (and the romance, while we’re at it), and not on the Lorax or the trees themselves. Leave it to Hollywood to turn a simple story into a mirage of themes and morals and Zac Efron and blahblah. I don’t want any more Zac Efron if I can help it!

Highlights:

• A very cute Lorax
• I liked the background story. I’ve imagined it since I saw the trailer, and it was super cute
• Kept the rhyme and rhythm of the original story

Lowlights:

• Became too background-story-centered instead of Lorax-centered
• Focused too much on the dynamics of the characters and not enough on the Lorax!

My Verdict:

5.8/10

Poetry of the Day

His digits lonesome and lonely, holding onto drinks instead of hands. 
Her thoughts elsewhere, busy and buried in books.

Open invitations sought, and answered.
Sitting, and more than mere sitting, on soft surfaces in too-noisy rooms.

A conversation starts as words between friends.
A thought occurs seeded deep in the brain.
An action out the blue and in the dark.

Movie Review: American Reunion (2012)

Rating: R

IMDB Rating: 7.4/10

I saw this because I felt obligated to. I have seen all the American Pie movies (including Band Camp), so I needed to know how they were going to wrap things up. No, I didn’t really want to see this (overt sexuality isn’t really my thing), but I figured it isn’t going to rot too many of my brain cells.

The plot according to IMDB:

Jim, Michelle, Stifler, and their friends reunite in East Great Falls, Michigan for their high school reunion.

This was funny, but a little too try-hard funny. I got the impression the whole time that they knew it was going to be the end of an era, so they had to pull out all the stops. The obligatory masturbation scene. The necessary boobie scene. The hot chicks, the dumbass Stifler doing his dumbass thing… but it had its laughs. The director did leave enough open at the conclusion for the potential of another sequel… but at this point I really don’t think its necessary.

Highlights:

• Same old cast to bring back funny inside jokes
• Funny cameos and surprise guests
• Disgusting sex jokes

Lowlights:

• Same old antics. No real deep character development
• Not really very valuable in terms of cinematography, no pushing the boundaries

My Verdict:

I won’t ever watch this again. In fact, I’ve never seen any of the American Pie movies twice (except for the few seconds I’ve flipped by them on TV). It’s just the type of experience that people discuss, the type of ‘oh my gosh that as disgusting, can you believe they DID that?’ type of discussion. But no, not really my cup of tea.

6.8/10

Movie Review: The Raid - Redemption (2011)

Rating: R

IMDB Rating: 8.2/10

The plot according to IMDB:

A SWAT team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs.

I loved this. It is brainless. Brutal. Disgusting. Raw.

Yes, there are subtitles. Yes, this is like a video game. As my significant other mentioned, this is the perfect theme for a video game. You beat killers and thugs on each floor, to get to the mob boss on the top level. You beat him, you beat the game. Same premise. There are extremely graphic and violent martial arts scenes… at one point I did grimace pretty hard (and I’d say my tolerance for violence is quite high). The choreography for this film is incredible… I grew up on Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, so I get impressed when I see well-choreographed fight scenes. There are plenty of those to go around!

Highlights:

• Great fight scenes
• Stylistically acted
• Unique and different martial arts
• Has characters I care about

Lowlights:

• The idea isn’t very profound or particularly special
• Plot isn’t too complex or deep

My Verdict:

I’m going to see this again as soon as I can convince someone to watch it with me. I want to share this film with as many people as I can. For good brainless violence, this is a great film.

8.8/10

Movie Review: Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Rating: PG-13

IMDB Rating: 6.9/10

The plot according to IMDB:

In a twist to the fairy tale, the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.

Honestly, I felt like the entire purpose of the film was to showcase Kirsten Stewart’s acting ability. Which, I’m still not convinced she has. More than anything, I got a little tired looking at her ‘oh, my goodness that is a surprise’ face. After being typecast as playing Bella, I think everyone’s sick of her a little bit. So I kind of wanted a break from the same old looks. The same old quiet and uncomfortable voice. That little awkward walk she has…

Charlize Theron was impressive, and did a very good job portraying a crazy and demented witch. I appreciated the cinematography, There were very magical-looking scenes… though not many of them.

I enjoy fairytales. I like the old Grimm Fairytales, and I used to read them over and over again. They’ve lost their magic these days, though. They’re not as raw, not as violent, not as horrible, and they’ve lost that epically depressing ending that a lot of the fairytales had. This is a nice and dark adaptation of Snow White, but I think it lacked a little bit of gutsiness.

Highlights:

• Some beautiful scenes
• Charlize Theron is a good actress
• Chris Hemsworth
• It’s about fairytales!
• Pretty decent battlescenes

Lowlights:

• Kirsten Stewart. I’m still not convinced by her…

My Verdict:

I probably won't see this again. But I don't regret seeing it... the once. It had action, it satisfied the child within, and it does give Snow White more attitude than I've seen in other adaptations.

7.5/10

Movie Review: Battleship (2012)

Rating: PG-13

IMDB Rating: 6.2/10

The plot according to IMDB:

A fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals.

This is probably one of the worst ‘action films’ I’ve seen in ages. I usually wish action movies would last longer to get more fight scenes, etc… but in this case it was quite the opposite. I couldn’t wait to skip forward and see the conclusion. And no, the ending wasn’t that epic.

Highlights:

• There were some decent alien scenes
• Ships. In battle
• Decently good looking cast

Lowlights:

• Rihanna’s acting skills
• Poor dialogue
• Weak conclusion

My Verdict:

I wish I could get those hours of my life back. It was predictable, average, and extremely mediocre. It was almost as if there was too much forced action… that the director was just trying to stuff in as much action to compensate for the poor dialogue as possible. Rihanna can sing, and she makes extremely catchy music… but she shouldn’t break into acting. Not if this is the type of role she’ll be playing.

4.8/10