One thing I have always appreciated:
Good Movie Soundtracks.
Two I’m digging (/have been digging) right now?
(500) Days of Summer and Up in the Air.
There is something undeniable about how a soundtrack can really pull a scene or sequence together– make it more pivotal, give it depth, provide a visual reminder everytime your hear it.
Movies are the only things that can have a soundtrack.
If I were to soundtrack my life right now, here’s what I would sound like:
Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Dream About Flying – Alexi Murdoch
The General Specific – Band of Horses
Penny on the Train Track – Ben Kweller
Chicago – Sufjan Stevens
Acorn Factory – The Dodos
Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine
I could explain these or you could listen and see the picture of my life.
A few weeks ago, I parallel-parked a random person’s car for them.
Me thinks this a bit odd, no?
Before I analyze this, a bit of back story: My friends and I are walking around Westwood, near UCLA. Suddenly, someone from a nearby car yells out to me “Hey, am I far from the curb?” And she was.
“Do you know how to parallel park?” the young driver asks me.
“Yes.”
“Can you help me?”
As I walk around the car, intending to direct her, this young girl of about 19 get out of her car, which is still running. Befuddled, I ask, “Oh so you want me to actually do it?”
“If you don’t mind,” she chimes “I totally trust you.”
As I parallel park this random girl’s SUV (mind you, this was the easiest kind of parallel parking scenario– tons of room, just need to get closer), my other friend waits with the girl on the curb and urges her that she should in fact learn how to do this herself.
It was clear this young girl, who never learned how to parallel park, had no intention of learning now.
What concerns me about this is a generation of young people who have grown up relying on having things done for them. Those who expect things to come easy, to get their way, to be entitled. And is this attitude aided by technologies that make people lazy and actually disconnected from an outside world of realities…
So are the Millennials a pampered generation? The so-called Trophy Kids with a sense of entitlement?
Definitely something to chew on.
Filed under: Rants, Social in Social Media, Stupid Media | Tags: Conan, Jay Leno, Late Night, NBC, Twitter
The NBC Late Night Lineup Debacle of 2010.
Summary of the situation:
NBC gave Jay the prime time boot, officially killing his show on Feb 12.
To assuage egos, NBC proposed a new late night lineup– Leno would host a new, half-hour show at 11:35 p.m. ET, followed by “Tonight” with Conan O’Brien (who took over the spot from Leno in September) at 12:05 a.m, leaving Jimmy Fallon (who filled Conan’s “Late Night” spot) with a shitty 1 a.m. slot.
On Monday night, both Jay and Conan took to their monologues to address the issue.
Leno jabbed: “I take pride in one thing. I leave NBC prime time the same way I found it — a complete disaster.”
Conan made sure to get a few quipps in too.
“This weekend no one was seriously hurt, but a 6.5 earthquake hit California. The earthquake was so powerful that it knocked Jay Leno’s show from 10:00 to 11:35.”
My favorite, “Conan’s Options“” .. Redwolf Village, yummmy!
Today, Conan released a statement to the people of earth, saying, in summary, he would not follow Leno at 12:05 am.
He writes:
But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn’t matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.
Overall, he was eloquent and respectful, which garnered him a lot of support as seen through web (read, twitter) today.
That line about DVRs and the Internet really struck me, too. And I think he’s right, the show isn’t called “The Tonight Show, which you could just DVR and watch later.” It’s a daily show that talks about daily, current events. Sure I watch some clips online but the effect of the show is best had when watched at the appropriated time. If he moved to 12:05 am maybe the show title would be changed to “The Last Night Show”
Wah Waaaaaah.
I am fully on #teamconan. Leno screwed up the NBC lineup not just for late night (aka, I blame Jay for the cancellation of Southland). And when it comes down to it, Conan is just a more respectable late-night guy. I don’t think he came all the way out to LA for this.
How is NBC going to respond to all this? What does Letterman have to say? Or Jimmy?
Whatever happens, Conan, know that America is behind you and your hair.
Filed under: Fashionista | Tags: Fashion, H&M, Lady Gaga, Mesh, Snuggies, Vampire Weekend
WWD has informed me, the self-proclaimed fashionista (aka i just work in retail) that mesh clothing is going to be a trend this spring.
Goths, whores and gays* take note, this is your year.
*Please note I love a gay in mesh, given the right occasion.
But otherwise, eeew, mesh?
Reminds me of a laundry bag or some sort of gym class accessory to distinguish teams (these have names… someone back me up)
More trends of 2010?
- Let’s hope H&M doesn’t throw out anymore clothes, not a good trend.
- More convertible clothes.. aka the “jackpack” <-this makes me laugh
- Vintage/Thrift.. East Coast Preppy meets California Cool… the obsession with those Vampire Weekend boys uuugh, hipster kids, get a room. 
-OTT (Over The Top) a la Lady GaGa. I mean, Barbie is doing it, shouldn’t we. (seriously, check out the photos)
-Finally, Snuggie Suits. Who could resist? 
Yes 2010 will be fashionably epic. Please add thoughts below.
I thought, on a whim, maybe I would breathe life back into my blogging.
Really though, the past 4-5 months have been a mediocre blur. 2009 came and went.
It is now officially been a year since I graduated… yes, you heard me ONE YEAR.
I “moved” out to LA.
I turned 23.
I applied for a ridiculous number of jobs (actual number withheld) .
A ton on celebs died.
Twilight, Tiger Woods, Jon – Kate + 8, Obama, Beer Summits, Snuggies, Susan Boyle… (what else happened in ‘09???)
By the end of ‘09, I was bothered. I was anxious. I was thinking what the next year, let alone month, had in store.
What do I hope for 2010?
J.O.B. To those of you still searching… I’m right there with you.
Stay tuned for more 2010 updates as I resolve to be a more active bloggette (lady blogger)
I leave you with an ‘09 favorite and something I had wanted to share…
Robert is Bothered. Jimmy Fallon, you are a god among men.
Filed under: Intents and Purposes, Rants, Stupid Media | Tags: Gossip Girl, Publicity
First there was Samantha in Sex and The City and now… Serena in Gossip Girl.
In the show, Serena, who graduates high school planning to attend Brown, decides to defer her college experience and take some time to “find herself” and experience the “real world.”
First of all, if this is taking place in the present day no one in their right mind would willing pass up school to go look for a job… NO ONE.
So Serena, through her crazy experiences and encounters, gets offered, right off the bat, a job as a celebrity publicity.
In today’s world it really is all about who you know but come on…
What makes me the most upset is how these publicist characters are just stereotyped to be crazy manipulating truth spinners who are looking for press.. not matter what the outlook.
It’s disappointing to think that is how people see those in the publicity field.
According to EW Popwatch (that I normally LOVE):
But Serena just doesn’t seem like a publicist to me; that job reeks of Blair Waldorf.
And while, yes, the point was Serena was young and naive, but knew how to be a friend and do the right thing.. blah blah blah… does that mean that a publicist is supposed to be a stuck up bitch?
Being a publicist takes tenacity, persistence, patience and a thick skin and it really is craft that one does not learn over night or by the age of 18.
And scene.
Something about California has lessened my desire to blog.
Wait, that’s not true.
I want to blog and I have some good stuff to blog about too.
My theory: the abundance of sunshine has spiked my Vitamin D levels and thus resulting in my lack of motivation.. whatever, I don’t even know what Vitamin D does. (something for your bones? Wait, that’s calcium)
Anyway, that coupled with my job search which has resulted in my slow descent into an abyss….
The angry LA sun has wilted me, the flower.
Filed under: (A)mu[ZING!](s), People are Strange, Rants | Tags: Bebe Gloton, Berjuan, Mattel, Twilight
We have this old Christmas home video from like, 1990, in which I open this gift and exclaim “Baby Bubbles, just what I always wanted!”
Baby Bubbles was this little baby doll that you put water in and the you squeezed on its tummy and oh, “bubbles” came out like it was gurgling. Presh, I know.
But if you thought that was odd, then you have not seen the latest creation from Spanish toymaker, Berjuan , Bebé Glotón aka The Breastfeeding Baby Doll.
Basically this doll makes a suckling noise when placed against these little flower petal pads that are on a bra-top apron like two little pasties.
I first saw this a few days ago when I was watching the Today Show. Hoda and Kathy could not believe it, let me tell you. Now this whole thing is just starting to blow up as people become abreast of the situation (sorry I HAD to say that, couldn’t resist).
Personally I could care less about this controversy and any of it’s supposed inappropriateness or promotion of early pregnancy (cough, Fox News). I just think it’s weird but then again, I guess a gurgling baby was weird.
But hey, parents, if you’re going to let your kids watch Miley Cyrus on a pole at the Teen Choice Awards and HSM star Vanessa Hudgens although she took it all off in some photos, then what’s the issue? Besides this is some European doll, is it even being sold in the US?
I guess I am just sick of people pointing out the potential hazards of everything in society. Most recently, I was really steamed when I read a NY Times health article on the negative portrayl of alcohol in Harry Potter. Heck, do not even get me started on that one. I never thought Butter Beer was actual beer or that Hermoine was some drunk floozy. People, get a grip, children do not want to drink because of Harry Potter and they certainly don’t want to have sex and get pregnant because of some Breastfeeding doll (there are certainly other reasons for these things, which I am not going to get into because I am not an expert and I don’t even want to begin to delve into that realm).
Nonetheless…Yes, I do think this doll is weird.
On another doll note.. have you heard that Mattel is coming out with Barbie Doll representations of Bella Swan (K.Stew) and Edward Cullen (RPattz), from Twilight. 
Man, that series is just milking it for all it’s worth. I’m sure they will make a killing with those dolls (no pun intended) with the Twihards. Work that demographic– a marketing dream.
…Just wait when those Twihard decide to Twi Hard, with a vengeance, vampire style– not a marketers dream.
I think that’s all I have to say about that…
Filed under: (A)mu[ZING!](s), Rants, Raves | Tags: Miscellaneous, Summer, TV
Wow. I have just been downright neglectful of this bog.
Now to catch you up and tell you the happs.
Summer has for sure been a bummer and the following would be the essay I would turn in for like my first assignment back to 6th grade: What I did this summer aka How I coped with my first summer post-college graduation [understanding this totally disregards the 6th grade thing] aka Life with the active aduts.
I am going to be completely honest when I say that TV has sustained me this summer. After my 3 week escapade to Florida and then DC, I came home and really had nothing to do and besides that, I had limited access to a car.. wah waaah.
So, like I said TV was my pal.
Shows worth noting:
>True Blood: My summer indulgence. Thank god for websites like Quick Silver Screen and Surf the Channel since this household lacks HBO. Sidebar: I decided to read the first book in the series that inspired True Blood and I gotta say, I’m sticking to the TV show..
>Weeds: Another show I watch online. I just love Mary Louise Parker but this show just gets crazier each season. As I have called it, telenovela.
>Burn Notice: Even though you got a DUI, I still love you Jeffrey Donovan.
>16 and Preggers: The DRAMZZZ. Loves it. PS– I just love that couple that gave their baby up for adoption.
> Late Night Line-up: Conan, no contest and Craig (Sorry Jimmy, your monologues never hooked me)
To continue: my mother recently made some crack about wondering if I could survive without my mac and the internet (answer being no) and it’s true, the internet has also sustained me this summer. Heck, you’ve already seen that i need it to watch TV.
Furthermore my google reader provides a link to the outside world.
I mean, I do live for the EW’s popwatch, which keeps me up with my fav TV shows that I watch (and those I don’t). Speaking of, In the previous section I failed to mention the Bachelorette– a show that I only ended up watching because of my mother but somehow drew me in…
But more than my go-to internet standards, Stumble Upon has been a genius– knowing my love of food, photography, architecture, books and weird artsy things. Here are a few fav discoveries.
> Oren Lavie Video for Her Morning Elegance. Magic. Watch Now.
> Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre Also seen at Comic Con. These are so great and I will order one.
>Quest for the Rest From the Polyphonic Spree.. Awesome Group and an awesome site that’s like a video game/promo
>Photo Stream from one of my favs, Jason Lee.
Of Course, I have not just been numbing my mind with TV and internet, I’ve been reading some books too… like Twilight. … hey I was on a beach, what did you expect?! Oh and I am kickboxing!
Now, all of a sudden it’s August and summer is winding to a close. I still do not have a job and I am still in suburbia (old folks village, to be exact).
But that is all about to change. At the end of the month, I am going out to LA and I did not buy a return ticket. So here’s to my future…
“Good luck exploring the infinite abyss.”
