do re mi

I've just heard that the spice girls, out of huge demand, will actually be coming to Vancouver to kick-start their reunion tour....apparently, demand is so crazy that it'll be some osrt two million people lottery - chances of actually seeing them, even if you're willing to pay the bucks, are SLIM. however, i think it's pretty safe to say that they'll be doing many more reunion tours...I mean, could they really resist the possible profit from it all?

on thursday, I also heard that the backstreet boys will be making a comeback...albeit without "older brother" kevin...hahahhaa...=) they have a new album for release and everything! here I was thinking things were over...brian litrell had moved on to christian music (he's featured on the glory revealed project, which I'm still waiting to purchase), nick carter...did his reality tv phase....A.J...is probably still in rehab...and howie; hmmm, well, no one ever really cared about him anyway!

these recent pieces of news got me thinking about the music that I grew up with. now that I think about it, I had such a large range of interests - my first CD purchase was Jewel's "Pieces of you", and the first CD I bought with money that I earned was "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill". one of my favourite hobbies was actually making mix tapes...hahaha...I know, I'm such a loser. I'm going to have to try and dig up some of those - but I definitely had an affinity for both No Doubt (listened to Spiderwebs on tape over and over and over again) and Mariah Carey. I went through a whole "hip hop/R&B" stage too - but again, that was more a trend of the times. I didn't get into more "alternative" (hate that label) until much later, and I loved the Canadians...the mid 90s were filled with OLP (Oh Raine), Moist (Oh David Usher), and many more...and later on, I fell in love with Incubus (Oh Brandon Boyd). These days, my musical preferences are REALLY all over the place; I can never even explain them accurately! I've definitely grown an appreciation for jazz and folk in recent years though....and guys with mean guitar skills (I'm still a John Mayer fan for that reason...despite his skankiness).

Mmm...now to find those mix tapes...
(Oh yeah, and I haven't even begun talking about honger music)

sai z + sweet obsessions

I so wish I had pictures for this entry.

on saturday night, I became a willing lightbulb and went to dinner with chocolate ball and strawberry ball. despite the rainy weather, we trekked (cough...drove) all the way to kitsilano for a meal. I have to say - I was pretty impressed with the architecture. Sai Z is two stories (I think), and resembles a very well-decorated, slightly modernist, loft. Who would have known that a restaurant in a house would work?

The service was quite good, and the ambiance lovely. A very young pianist was playing (seriously, he looked about 15) and there was even a double bass player (so cool!). we went early, so it was still fairly quiet (noise wise), and it was a great and dare I say, romantic atmosphere.

The food wasn't bad - but it didn't thrill us either. Their tempura yam fries were the most memorable for me...it was built in a tower-like structure, with spicy mayo and a sweet balsamic reduction. yummy! the sashimi was also quite good - very fresh and delicious. the rest of what we ordered was a bit of a blur - a seafood sushi pizza, scallops and shrimp wrapped in fillo pastry (which resembled more like the chinese "bird's nest"), a calamari salad, prosciutto roll (which was not as salty as I expected it to be), and a spider roll as well...I think. or lobster, I forget.

Oh yes, I just found a link to the pictures of the place and some of the food. Check it out!

since we were in the area, we also went to Sweet Obsessions to pick up some dessert. the chocolate and strawberry ball got their usual chocolatey stuff (which I never take an interest in our remember!) and I got a piece of the lime and raspberry flan (which I suspect I've gotten before and forgotten...oops).

all in all, quite the feast-like night...that's what I get for hanging out with foodies.

after a weeklong torture

brought the wormball to shop @ richmond centre today...she is (proudly) graduating from grade 7 this year and was in need of a slightly girly dress and pretty shoes. I'll make sure to take a photo of her with her whole outfit on....very cute, imo. (of course, it's ALL due to me, her ultra-posh stylist...*cough*)

it's kinda funny...I often still think of my sis as much younger than she is now. in the past week or so, however, I have really begun to understand that she can be so much more mature than I. Her mellow and laissez-faire attitude really comes in handy when I'm stressing out and bubbling with anger. she's tactful and intelligent - and is extremely patient with strangers. did I mention her telephone tact? while a bit loud and brash at home, she speaks with a gentle and almost whispery voice on the phone....the girl can put on a show already.=)

I'm so blessed to be able to witness her "growing up", even though sometimes I'm unwilling to believe that my sister no longer likes sponge bob squarepants and is now interested in jewelry and fashion advice. I certainly wouldn't be sane without her around...

love will come through?

If I told you a secret
You won't tell a soul
Will you hold it and keep it alive
Cause it's burning a hole
And I can't get to sleep
And I can't live alone in this lie

So look up, take it away
Don't look da-da-da- down the mountain
If the world isn't turning, your heart won't return
Anyone, anything, anyhow
So take me, don't leave me
Baby, love will come through, it's just waiting for you

Well I stand at the crossroads
Of highroads and lowroads
And I got a feeling it's right
If it's real what I'm feeling, there's no makebelieving
The sound of the wings of the flight of a dove

So take me, don't leave me
Take me, don't leave me
Baby, love will come through
It's just waiting for you

Love will come through
Love will come through
Love will come through

-Travis

green consumerism (notes from lecture on cmn and rhetoric)

• A form of social advocacy - consumer awareness
• Commercial promotion - corporations focus on changing their ethos about consumption for PR purposes
• Consumers are given the responsibility to "make a statement" with their purchases
• One of the greatest marketing opportunities of all time: it not only delineates a moral subtext, but also encourages consumer democracy (so-called "feel-good" consumption)

why is positive change for issues such as global warming so difficult? (as with many other social issues)

• It's a rhetorical problem
• Productivism is the discourse of the modern world...we believe in production and consumption....when someone challenges the fundamental undergirding of your argument, it's easy to just dismiss them
• Our discourse in society (and therefore the working towards a solution) is trapped within the notion of progress...that we must continually live "better" lives through consuming more; that technology is the way of the future, and that innovation always takes precendence over preservation

Green consumerism is a very limited way that people are encouraged to participate in the "fight against global warming"...it gives people a chance to overcome their political paralysis. The marketplace is where we seek out much of our worth and identity - green consumerism is the compromise in which we try to make evident our awareness of serious environmental issues while minimizing the guilt that consumerism perpetuates.

I'm not suggesting that green consumerism is a bad thing...there could be much worse right? If corporations are pushed to create products that are environmentally friendly in order to remain competitive...that really isn't so bad. however, I find it extremely disturbing and interesting that we are so trapped in the discourse of consumerism and progress - that our solutions about the world's problems are also framed within that discourse. What of consuming less? What if living in smaller spaces? Not driving? - well, that would just be too radical for most of us.

burning the midnight oil

insightful conversations come at the strangest of times, often when you least expect it. not talking because there's a need for advice and consolation, but just needing to discuss it...the very act of sharing something is already a form of healing grace. as I like to put it...it's to not feel batshit crazy or insane on your own ;) somehow, somewhere, there's someone who will be willing to be batshit crazy with you.

SNL: Rainn Wilson's Monologue

I'm pretty sure I haven't posted this yet...(correct me if I'm wrong)...but this is seriously the best SNL opener in recent years (which isn't saying much, but yeah) =)
And is it just me or is Rainn Wilson kinda cute in this? Haha. (Don't worry, I'm still dating John Krasinski in my head.)

green consumerism

Teehee...here I am testing out my brother's lovely laptop...the one he has forbidden me from touching but my sister and I have hacked in! HaHA! And since he's in San Diego and enjoying the surfing...he could probably care less as well.

Anyways, onto the topic at hand. With Live Earth having just recently occurred, I thought it might be appropriate to discuss the concept of "green consumerism", which has been on my mind since several of my profs discussed it in the spring semester.

I don't know about your opinion regarding the musical/feel-good/rahrah for Mother Earth bonanza of last week, but I personally had very mixed feelings about it. No doubt Al Gore has pretty much single-handedly brought global warming to the forefront of the public...which is a phenomenal and important feat. Who would have guessed that one little slideshow presentation (cough, I mean...documentary) could arouse such media awareness about environmental degradation? By all means I'm supportive of the cause...but it's hard to believe in the positive impact of a 7 continent wide concert on the environment. Although I recognize that it's hard to put on public events without wasting a lot of energy, I wish that those involved would have recognized their hypocrisy publicly. How can we preach about sustainable development when overconsumption is permeated in every aspect of putting on a Live Earth type event?

I'm not saying that Live Earth wasn't an effective means of communicating the idea that we need to protect the Earth...sure, it raises awareness...but on a practical level, I think it does little to nothing to create change in people's long term habits (except waste energy! And give Madonna a chance to inculturate us with some annoyingly catchy chorus!). I mean, sure, I love seeing Linkin Park, Snow Patrol, and John Mayer perform - but isn't that just encouraging the idea of "waiting on the world to change"? Al Gore keeps bringing up that Live Earth is creating a worldwide grassroots movement...but frankly, I don't think that zillions of people showing up to a concert necessarily = grassroots movement. How is causing positive impact from the ground up? I am continually bemused by it all...

Mmm. I've run out of room to actually discuss "green consumerism" since I ranted so much. Another time then=)

presenting...ms. tina dico

I've made the executive decision of "presenting" a few of my favourite things in detail on this blog...give an expose of sorts on exactly what I mean when I mention the joy and happiness that these musicians, filmmakers, and writers bring to my wee little heart.

on today's blog, ms. tina dico (dickow)!

I discovered Tina's music through my friend poe...who discovered it at Club Monaco (or Club Monaco's website...or both). Weird, eh? She heard "Break of Day" and really loved it, and sent it my way. since we frighteningly behave as one person sometimes, I grew to love her music too. Tina's music is exactly pretty big in Europe (she's from Denmark), but she hasn't quite "made it big" in North America just yet. as I've already displayed on this blog...she writes some amazing poetry. I never get tired of songs like "in the red" and "quarter to forever"...and seriously, there's nothing cooler than a female singer-songwriter who translates her observations of life's intricacies into these amazingly catchy and refreshing tunes. I don't even know how to describe her...she relies heavily on her acoustic guitar, but with her full band, she sounds a bit more like zero 7 or esthero.

I've gone to see her twice live now...both times at the media club. she's hilarious and just so gosh darn down to earth that it's hard not to like her. and plus, she was so sweet when we asked her for her autograph!

she's definitely a name to look out for...I'm sure fame awaits her soon enough.

excerpt from "anna karenina"

"He knew she was there by the joy and fear that overwhelmed his heart. She stood at the other end of the rink, talking to a lady. There seemed to be nothing very special in her dress, nor in her pose, but for Levin she was as easy to recognize in that crowd as a rose among nettles. Everything was lit up by her. She was the smile that brightened everything around."

continued..."what is a friend?"

here are some of my epiphanies about the nature of friendship:

1) it's really hard work. to have a deep relationship with someone means having to care, even when you don't feel like it. It also means not being afraid of extending yourself and initiating...often that entails curtailing your ego.
2) true friendships only happen by God's grace. even if you want to be close to someone, they may not be on the same page as you yet (and perhaps never will)...and that's ok.
3) it demands honesty. if you can't build up the courage to tell your friend something is wrong...then you need to work on being vulnerable. if you want the friendship enough, it means having to feel uncomfortable and say things that may not be pleasing to hear.

I'm becoming more aware of my "Dr.Wilson complex". For those who don't watch "House", Dr.Wilson is a character who is really a very caring friend, but also thrives on being needed (as opposed to Dr.House, who thrives on being despised and ignored). I'm beginning to realize that I suffer from that too...and that I need to shift my focus from "wanting to feel needed" to "serving Christ through loving others".

Haha...see how I'm proving to you that I'm an overthinker?

"the one where the stripper cries"

as I'm still thinking through some of the things I discussed yesterday, here is one of my favourite moments in the later seasons of Friends (might be the last season, I think). I watched it a few days back and I still howled with laughter!

Ross: It matters to me!
Chandler: Why?
Ross: Because the night you kissed Rachel was the night I kissed Rachel for the very first time!Chandler: You kissed her that night, too?
Monica: Two guys in one night? Wow, I thought she became a slut after she got her nose fixed.
Chandler: Seriously, where did this happen?
Ross: Okay, after you told me she was passed out in our room, I went in there to make sure she was all right. She was lying on my bed, all buried in people's coats. Well, I went to kiss her on the forehead, but it was so dark I accidentally got her lips. I started to pull away, but then I felt her start to kiss me back. It was only for a second, but it was amazing. And now... now I find out that you kissed her first!
Chandler: Uh, wait, what bed did you say she was on?
Ross: Mine.
Chandler: I'm pretty sure I put her on my bed.
Ross: No, she was definitely on my bed.
Chandler: Why would I kiss a girl and then put her on your bed?
Ross: Well, then who was on my bed?
Monica (horrified): Oh! Oh! Oh!
Ross (realizing): No! No! No!
Monica: Yes!
Ross: You were under the pile of coats?
Monica: I was the pile of coats! You were my midnight mystery kisser?
Ross: You were my first kiss with Rachel?
Monica: You were my first kiss ever?

Chandler: What did I marry into?

what is a friend?

I've been really struggling with this question for a while: What is a friend?

people walk in and out of our lives...we move from education to work, from being a kid to being labelled a "grown-up"...and the people around us for each of these stages seem to move on with us.

being someone who has moved twice in her life (cross-continental and switching coasts), I don't really have friends that I've grown up with and known all my life...I know many who do, but that idea is still somewhat foreign to me. I don't think most of us have that "stability" in our lives - people whom we've known forever and who know us inside out. for the most part, people remain transient in our lives and we kind of go with the flow without being much of an active counterpart.

I suppose friendship often blooms out of convenience - if you see someone frequently enough, you become closer. those whom you see on a regular basis are usually those who kinda know what's going on in your life - strangely enough, physical proximity probably is a huge part of the equation. on the flip side, if it isn't convenient for you to see that person...the friendship has a large chance of disintegrating...not because of anything dramatic, but simply because you've drifted out of each other's lives.

ok...sorry....must cut it short...I will bring this up again tomorrow.

amos lee 2.0

it's taken me a few days to actually discuss this, largely because we had a HORRIBLE CONCERT EXPERIENCE. my friends and I, who have attended our fair share of concerts, I think, had never encountered such rude people!

you know what's the worst that can happen at a concert? LUKEWARM FANS. they don't respect the music enough to be quiet (I was considering using a much more vulgar term here...but am abstaining. imagine away.), and more importantly, they decide to stand in the front rows! I have never previously used "redneck" to describe people...I find it rude and..you know, inappropriate, but I can think of NO OTHER WORD. they even absorbed some honger traits and began taking photos of themselves (POSING) while amos lee was performing. @#$&@$#%!

the music itself was actually awesome. unlike last time, we were distracted...but that wouldn't keep us from enjoying awesome tracks like "night train" and "seen it all before". I love him more everytime I see him live...and good news! He seems to be curing from the "I want to look like Jesus" syndrome. it's hard to find artists who are so self-aware and genuinely humble about their own music - I love the poetry, the jazz and folk influences...and gosh do I love that drummer! Freddy forever!

literary update

I've spent most of today doing nothing...and it's awesome! I feel like a lazy fai meow...lounging...stretching...and will go explore outside shortly. man...even after a cup of coffee, I still feel tired! loooong day at work yesterday and I spent the night up reading the rest of "the time traveler's wife".

speaking of which...is the point of this post.

I bought the book on monday, which was a definite splurge and risk...considering I knew nothing of the book other than the fabulous reviews from trusted sources. the elements for potential disaster were all there: romance as core of narrative, a rather wispful (is that even a word?!) cover, and gosh...TIME TRAVEL. when I explained the plot to the friends who accompanied me to the store, both of them said: "well...that sounds awfully like that keanu reeves/sandra bullock flick...", and of course that was another BAD sign.

despite everything it had against it, the book simply overpowered me. in two days, I finished the over-500 page novel and am left wanting more. I have never before wept (yes, WEPT) while reading a novel (to the exception of "the orange girl"...and that was crying vs. weeping), but I did twice during this book. I got so annoyed of the tears that near the end, I just gave up on tissue. The novel is very strange, at parts mildly confusing...but it is altogether heart-breaking and astonishing in its beauty. It's honest, at times even funny, and even manages to invade the hearts of those who are cynical about love.

I won't go into plot here...if interested, you can easily find out by yourselves. The story's got me thinking a lot about the nature of love and time - what if you knew everything before it even happened? what if you were able to know your loved one as a 6-year old, a 12-year old, an 18-year old, and an 82-year old? in a world where time no longer makes sense...how do you survive?

anyways...check out the book...boys and girls alike=) you'll be surprised at how much you like it.

raindrops on roses...

things that cheer me up under (nearly) every circumstance - part II or III:

1) fat worm attempting to cook something delicious (and usually failing at it)
2) going to a cabane a sucre...gold star for anyone who knows what that is without googling/wiki-ing it)
3) singing along to old mariah and spice girls hits ("always be my baby" and "say you'll be there" are favourites)
4) food fights! (and not the kind on facebook)
5) wormball's face
6) the office...oh man, I rewatched "diversity day" this morning and was just HOWLING. I'll excuse you from the quotes=) although not as quotable as friends (yet)...I think the day will come where we'll be making many many references to this show.
7) winning!