"Tragically Hip"
Oh, stop it with the subcultural (or really, now it's quite mainstream) appropriation. Yahoo! Shine is nowhere near subcultural, though weird articles and impractical and rather silly and insipid tips run abound.
So you say your friend is "tragically hip"? Has a tragedy fallen upon your model or fashionista friend? Tragic and hip are two word, that when juxtaposed together, seem to say that the writer is desperately trying to be "ironic" or "hipster" or whatever the fad is these days.
Does anyone else see the ridiculousness of these words, and the mindset of these "cool" people?
10 trendy beauty gifts for the holidays
Ramblings about life, school, crafts, and the monotony that is normality.
Showing posts with label rant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rant. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Copyright Restrictions
Just a little rant here. Scroll to the last paragraph for shopping/online surfing woes.
Today I just found out one of the best sites for reading online scanlations of manga (Japanese comics) is going to close down because manga publishers don't want them to affect English readers buying their copies. I understand that the companies think that this will harm their business, that this is a copyright violation, etc. But. Most of the manga on the site isn't even licensed outside their home countries, and thus most readers living outside those countries would have no other way of reading those kinds of manga. This wouldn't even affect their sales. Also, American publishers that translate manga are notoriously slow. Take for instance a certain manga that was licensed last year. Volume 1 finally came out last December. However, right now in Japan volume 10 is being sold. At the depressingly slow rate of the American publishers, volume 10 will be released in quite a few years. Sales won't be in jeopardy because of the timing, and devoted fans will buy the volumes anyway once it comes out. What's the point of not letting readers get a glimpse of the material beforehand? Buying a paper copy (since there is no official digital version *cough*) is different than reading it online.
Also, several weeks ago Daria came out on DVD. Most of the episodes on Youtube were deleted. This I understand. I mean, if you're releasing the complete series of a long-awaited DVD, you'll want to make sure everyone has to buy it from you, right? (Sorry MTV. Apparently, the new generic music sucks and I don't have that much money.) That much I agree with. However, I'm not adverse to tackng things down online. While I'll usually watch new movies in theathers (Despicable Me was good!) old movies, like from 9 years ago, if I can find them online...I don't have Netflix or something like that. Do they even sell 9, 15, or 50 year old movies anymore? But anyway, the point is that copyright restrictions and legal issues regarding ownership of manga, books, or movies/shows are important. But sometimes, they can be a bit silly and paranoid.
And yes, I realize scanlations are considered illegal, but remember translators are not making money off of them but they do NOT own the manga. For legal issues, note that I take a stand in-between. I do not endorse piracy or violating copyright restrictions. Another edit: This is the not-wanting-to-be-arrested edit I must make, in this airbrushed, euphemism using culture. Thank you very much.
Another thing: Shopping sites are completely addictive. I've spent hours browsing shoes and the like on various sites. Urban Outfitters and 6pm get me every time, but I've already bought four pairs of shoes this year and need new sneakers!
Today I just found out one of the best sites for reading online scanlations of manga (Japanese comics) is going to close down because manga publishers don't want them to affect English readers buying their copies. I understand that the companies think that this will harm their business, that this is a copyright violation, etc. But. Most of the manga on the site isn't even licensed outside their home countries, and thus most readers living outside those countries would have no other way of reading those kinds of manga. This wouldn't even affect their sales. Also, American publishers that translate manga are notoriously slow. Take for instance a certain manga that was licensed last year. Volume 1 finally came out last December. However, right now in Japan volume 10 is being sold. At the depressingly slow rate of the American publishers, volume 10 will be released in quite a few years. Sales won't be in jeopardy because of the timing, and devoted fans will buy the volumes anyway once it comes out. What's the point of not letting readers get a glimpse of the material beforehand? Buying a paper copy (since there is no official digital version *cough*) is different than reading it online.
Also, several weeks ago Daria came out on DVD. Most of the episodes on Youtube were deleted. This I understand. I mean, if you're releasing the complete series of a long-awaited DVD, you'll want to make sure everyone has to buy it from you, right? (Sorry MTV. Apparently, the new generic music sucks and I don't have that much money.) That much I agree with. However, I'm not adverse to tackng things down online. While I'll usually watch new movies in theathers (Despicable Me was good!) old movies, like from 9 years ago, if I can find them online...I don't have Netflix or something like that. Do they even sell 9, 15, or 50 year old movies anymore? But anyway, the point is that copyright restrictions and legal issues regarding ownership of manga, books, or movies/shows are important. But sometimes, they can be a bit silly and paranoid.
And yes, I realize scanlations are considered illegal, but remember translators are not making money off of them but they do NOT own the manga. For legal issues, note that I take a stand in-between. I do not endorse piracy or violating copyright restrictions. Another edit: This is the not-wanting-to-be-arrested edit I must make, in this airbrushed, euphemism using culture. Thank you very much.
Another thing: Shopping sites are completely addictive. I've spent hours browsing shoes and the like on various sites. Urban Outfitters and 6pm get me every time, but I've already bought four pairs of shoes this year and need new sneakers!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Okay, enough angsting for me. I need to get back on track, with all this stuff to do. Anyway, after you start a huge angst-fest, you usually regret acting so nasty afterward. I decided to be more proactive about what I can do, and stop being so reactive to what people want me to be. (I think that was from a self-help book. Wow, I'm hopeless.) Onward!
In class recently, we watched Dead Poets Society. The main theme of the movie got through my mind and into the rant I did above, so I thought it would be good to post some of my thoughts on the movie.
Set in 1959, Welton Academy is a strict and traditionalist boarding school where many of the new students feel oppressed by the teachers' standards and the way the school is cut off from contemporary America. Todd Anderson, a new student who's brother was a valedictorian, is shy and insecure. Neil Perry is an active student, but with an authoritarian father who has planned every step of his future. Charlie, Richard, and others form with Todd and Neil a close-knit group.
Compared with the other teachers however, John Keating the new English teacher is unusual and unconventional. He tells his students to be free thinkers, and "carpe diem" (seize the day). He shows the students old pictures of former Welton students, in an effort to show that you should make the most of your life while you can. His teachings leave a great effect on his students, and many of them later do things to Carpe diem.
When Neil looks up Keating's records, he finds that Keating was once part of the Dead Poets Society, a group of students who went to the Old Indian's Cave and read poetry. Neil is inspired, and gets Todd nad the rest of his friend to join him to revive the Society.
Following this is a length of scenes featuring Mr. Keating's lessons and the boys' adventures. However, soon things take an unexpected sorrowful turn, and brings Todd and the others a different view of their ideas.
I felt that this movie, though old, expresses to you in a way that allows the characters' feelings and emotions that leaves you thinking at the end. The scenery was perfect for the story, and Keating's humorous lines really lightened the mood. It didn't feel rushed, except the way they ended the movie. (I though the last shot was awkward.) The theme of this movie was very strong, and truely showed what it meant to "seize the day".
Picture and Summary (well, as a guideline) from faculty.frostburg.edu/phil/forum/deadpoetsalt
In class recently, we watched Dead Poets Society. The main theme of the movie got through my mind and into the rant I did above, so I thought it would be good to post some of my thoughts on the movie.
Set in 1959, Welton Academy is a strict and traditionalist boarding school where many of the new students feel oppressed by the teachers' standards and the way the school is cut off from contemporary America. Todd Anderson, a new student who's brother was a valedictorian, is shy and insecure. Neil Perry is an active student, but with an authoritarian father who has planned every step of his future. Charlie, Richard, and others form with Todd and Neil a close-knit group.
Compared with the other teachers however, John Keating the new English teacher is unusual and unconventional. He tells his students to be free thinkers, and "carpe diem" (seize the day). He shows the students old pictures of former Welton students, in an effort to show that you should make the most of your life while you can. His teachings leave a great effect on his students, and many of them later do things to Carpe diem.
Mr. Keating and his class
When Neil looks up Keating's records, he finds that Keating was once part of the Dead Poets Society, a group of students who went to the Old Indian's Cave and read poetry. Neil is inspired, and gets Todd nad the rest of his friend to join him to revive the Society.
Following this is a length of scenes featuring Mr. Keating's lessons and the boys' adventures. However, soon things take an unexpected sorrowful turn, and brings Todd and the others a different view of their ideas.
I felt that this movie, though old, expresses to you in a way that allows the characters' feelings and emotions that leaves you thinking at the end. The scenery was perfect for the story, and Keating's humorous lines really lightened the mood. It didn't feel rushed, except the way they ended the movie. (I though the last shot was awkward.) The theme of this movie was very strong, and truely showed what it meant to "seize the day".
Picture and Summary (well, as a guideline) from faculty.frostburg.edu/phil/forum/deadpoetsalt
Friday, January 15, 2010
Heavy Machine: Woah!
I don't really like to obsess about shoes, because most of them are really expensive/ not practical to walk around in, but occasionally I do understand when people do. And I have. Right now, it's HEAVY MACHINE, after I found it on Style Bubble:
Wow.
Images from heavymachine.eu
If I could run walk in high heels, this would be awesome. How amazing are these shoes? Cool design, funky shape, a standout. End of shoe obsession rant.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
New Year Resolutions
My mother has been asking me to write a resolution for a few days now, so I thought I would do it on my blog. Our family has been getting sick and such, so I wanted to post this so I wouldn't forget, Anyway, these are my self-goals, so some (most) are kind of selfish, and are general "ideas".
Onwards!
Be unique.Comments? Questions? Share your thoughts? What are your resolutions? Enlighten me. :)
Onwards!
- Study more and pay more attention to my work. Self-explanatory, but I might as well include it.
- Be more creative and pay attention to details. On everything, like for projects and design. Sometimes ties into #1.
- Exercise more (and take more calcium!) so I can grow taller. It's harder being short when most of your friends are three inches or more taller than you.
- Practice drawing. I want to be more consistent, and improve my drawing "style".
- Try pay attention to the people around me, and be more aware of the world. It is good to reflect and think about things like that. Also, be comfortable meeting new people.
Be unique.Comments? Questions? Share your thoughts? What are your resolutions? Enlighten me. :)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Rodarte for Target
I was sooo excited for this collaboration. Then I got sick, and it sold out on me. Bam! In a day? That's what I get for thinking it wouldn't be sold out where I live. (Seriously, I do not live in a fashionable city) However, I was sick, and so I couldn't get to the nearest Target today. I will stalk it tomorrow...
Rodarte® for Target® Juniors Swiss Dot Dress - Blue
This was going to be one of the only dresses I like! The contrast between the punk boots and the lace details of the dress makes a wonderful juxtaposition.
Rodarte® for Target® Juniors Mesh Lace Cardigan - Ochre
This is one of the items mentioned in the video made by Tavi(on Style.com) It's so lacy! And I need a not scratchy sweater.Friday, October 30, 2009
Halloween and Homelessness
This year, I'm going as Kamui from Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles. My hair was even chopped shorter for this purpose. Unfortunately, CLAMP's characters aren't always easy to dress up as. While my costume is decently accurate, my friend commented on the finer details of it:"isn't his pendant supposed to be more twisted?" and "isn't the chain supposed to be longer?" Friends are always helpful (I checked my reference. My version is pretty accurate!). Lost of people dressed up today at school. Some were cool (a homemade lolita costume, Piglet, Native American princess) and some were (sumo wrestler, ostrich riders???)...Needless to say, it was very amusing. I hope my costume will turn out well officially tomorrow. The pendant I made out of polymer clay might break, so I'
m being extra careful. Is anyone dressing up? Kamui Kamui(again)
On a different note...today, while my mother and I were driving, she noticed a homeless person on the side of the road, and gave her a dollar. I couldn't see what was on the sign she was holding because of the sun in my eyes, but apparently the person was asking for money. I told my mother that the person could have a gun, or be crazy. But they weren't. That simple gesture and the words exchanged prompted me to think about the unfortunate, unemployed, or simply uneducated people even in rich or well-off suburbs. Some didn't get an education. Some may be abandoned by their families. Some may have lost their job and their home. Some may be alcoholics or drug users. Some, though, may be just plain unlucky. It's impossible to know what people have been through, or how they feel. For the homeless, how much can a dollar help? A meal today is a day of hunger tomorrow. However, I want to know more about people. If I could just sit down and talk with someone else about their life, their situation, their feelings, could I just know about them a little bit more? Would I be able to help them a bit more? Probably not. But I still wish I could have asked about that poor person's name.
m being extra careful. Is anyone dressing up? Kamui Kamui(again)
On a different note...today, while my mother and I were driving, she noticed a homeless person on the side of the road, and gave her a dollar. I couldn't see what was on the sign she was holding because of the sun in my eyes, but apparently the person was asking for money. I told my mother that the person could have a gun, or be crazy. But they weren't. That simple gesture and the words exchanged prompted me to think about the unfortunate, unemployed, or simply uneducated people even in rich or well-off suburbs. Some didn't get an education. Some may be abandoned by their families. Some may have lost their job and their home. Some may be alcoholics or drug users. Some, though, may be just plain unlucky. It's impossible to know what people have been through, or how they feel. For the homeless, how much can a dollar help? A meal today is a day of hunger tomorrow. However, I want to know more about people. If I could just sit down and talk with someone else about their life, their situation, their feelings, could I just know about them a little bit more? Would I be able to help them a bit more? Probably not. But I still wish I could have asked about that poor person's name.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The Wanted Jacket
I haven't posted in forever, but I WILL get the sakura pictures here, I hope soon... Anyway, in the meantime, I've finally found a jacket I like, from Target. That sounds easy, right? Just drive over to Target, find it, pay for it... but it's gone. I should have picked it up last time I was there, but I didn't! Now it's only available online, and I don't want to pay shipping...
I have no idea why I like it so much, but I know I won't find another good jacket for the price! Only $16...
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