Saturday, January 29, 2011
Black Swan
Sometimes, when I read a lot about a movie and then go see it, I feel very disappointed. Especially when there is a lot of hype around it and a lot of rave reviews. Therefore I didn't really know what to expect with Black Swan; a few friends loved it, a few were terribly disappointed, and some even hated it. I have to say, it wasn't at all what I expected, but that's a good thing, because though it was very different than I imagined it would be from previews and reviews, it was much better. From the first frame I felt jarred, uncomfortable, and a little confused, and I'm positive this was intentional. Every last shot was carefully planned, and totally amazing. I've heard the film is very violent, but I didn't feel it was; I did feel that the psychological aspects of the film made the carefully chosen bits of violence much more intense. I don't really feel I can say much more about it without giving too much away. I feel like you should be surprised. So go see it. Go see it in the theater too, because it's not the kind of film that's meant for the small screen. It's much too "big" for that!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Swap!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123454021056527
For those in Berlin, you should check this out if you love clothing swaps! Trade in your old clothes for tokens to get new clothes. You can also buy tokens there, and the proceeds go to community initiatives. So you not only can get new stuff, but also help in doing something constructive for Berlin instead of whining about how things are changing (sorry about the sarcasm, and didn't mean anyone directly on facebook or people I actually know, but just wanted to give props to their effort to be constructive!)
For those in Berlin, you should check this out if you love clothing swaps! Trade in your old clothes for tokens to get new clothes. You can also buy tokens there, and the proceeds go to community initiatives. So you not only can get new stuff, but also help in doing something constructive for Berlin instead of whining about how things are changing (sorry about the sarcasm, and didn't mean anyone directly on facebook or people I actually know, but just wanted to give props to their effort to be constructive!)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Vinyl
I got my amp working again. I bought it a while back on ebay....it was sold as "defective" and advertised as decoration, but it's a great Marantz from the 70's, which are apparently collectors items. So I got it repaired, and it worked for a while but a couple of things were still loose so it started to go dead on both channels. I got it fixed again though and it works!
There's something different about listening to records. Digital music can sound pretty good now, and I don't think it's so much the quality. I think it has to do with a few other things. For one, they're so big. If you have a record, you don't just have a piece of music, you have cover art, and an object of a decent size. Also, they're split into two sides, so you have to listen a little more actively, because you're going to have to turn it over at some point. You can't rewind it, and you can't easily repeat or skip a track. You just listen through the way it was mixed. Lastly, I think it also has to do with acquiring the records. They do some new pressings now, but to find an old album, you have to go hunt for it. You can't just look it up on iTunes and click and pay, you have to search, and you have to dig around for one in good condition and a good price. I guess this is a big reason why I feel that my records are just a little more special than my CDs even. Since mp3s have been around, I'm not so into CDs. I'll still buy them sometimes, but I don't really feel that I'm missing out by not having the physical disc. Even though they're physical objects, they just don't represent the same thing that records do. They're somehow less tangible. Maybe it's because if I lost one, I could burn another copy, or at least easily buy one, and the sound quality doesn't feel that different to me than an mp3 (though I don't have a stereo system that would make a difference). If a record is lost or damaged, it's not so easily replaced.
There's something different about listening to records. Digital music can sound pretty good now, and I don't think it's so much the quality. I think it has to do with a few other things. For one, they're so big. If you have a record, you don't just have a piece of music, you have cover art, and an object of a decent size. Also, they're split into two sides, so you have to listen a little more actively, because you're going to have to turn it over at some point. You can't rewind it, and you can't easily repeat or skip a track. You just listen through the way it was mixed. Lastly, I think it also has to do with acquiring the records. They do some new pressings now, but to find an old album, you have to go hunt for it. You can't just look it up on iTunes and click and pay, you have to search, and you have to dig around for one in good condition and a good price. I guess this is a big reason why I feel that my records are just a little more special than my CDs even. Since mp3s have been around, I'm not so into CDs. I'll still buy them sometimes, but I don't really feel that I'm missing out by not having the physical disc. Even though they're physical objects, they just don't represent the same thing that records do. They're somehow less tangible. Maybe it's because if I lost one, I could burn another copy, or at least easily buy one, and the sound quality doesn't feel that different to me than an mp3 (though I don't have a stereo system that would make a difference). If a record is lost or damaged, it's not so easily replaced.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Laughter is a wonderful drug
For a few years, I lost my ability to really laugh. When I say "really laugh," I don't mean giggle or chuckle lightly...I mean laugh until you almost cry, or at least until your abs hurt. I had a couple of times where I was able to, but it wasn't really a regular thing. And I especially couldn't laugh on my own, at home. Lately though, that's all changed. I've become somewhat addicted to laughing. Over the past few weeks I've had several cases where I've laughed at some pretty ridiculous stuff: verymarykate.com, a scene in 30 Rock where Jenna finds a Gibbon, names it "Little Jenna" and gives it a doll dressed like her, singing a karaoke version of "No Limits" with friends on New Years (I totally forgot about the "techno techno techno" part!) All these times, and others, I've totally laughed myself to tears, and I'm hooked. I keep trolling the internet for pictures of hilarious animals and sketch comedy.
Great weight loss tips
Last year I managed to gain 15 lbs over the winter and early spring. I lost all of it, and this year I'm determined to keep it off. I found this great article with a lot of good tips!
http://www.fitsugar.com/Why-Youre-Losing-Weight-Guides-Help-12930303
As usual, hyperlinking doesn't like me....you'll have to copy and paste...sorry!
http://www.fitsugar.com/Why-Youre-Losing-Weight-Guides-Help-12930303
As usual, hyperlinking doesn't like me....you'll have to copy and paste...sorry!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
2010->2011: Reflections and Resolutions
Now that it’s a couple of days into the new year, I feel it’s time to properly reflect the past year and look forward into 2011.
On 2010:
It was a good year. I traveled a lot and saw a few new places, including Athens and London. I got over a lot of stuff that’s been bogging me down the past few years and I started to work on becoming a more confident, happy person. I still have a ways to go, but it was nice to make good progress! I finished my first year of my Bachelors in Business Administration, and decided that Marketing was a good career pathway for me. And I started to think about which kinds of careers I might like to have, and what my life might look like for the next few years (though I’m flexible! Never turn down a great opportunity!) Overall, I feel that 2010 was one of the best years I’ve had in a long time, and definitely my best since I moved to Germany.
On 2011:
I’m optimistic and since last year was so good. I have a feeling that 2011 is going to rock my socks. I’ve made a few resolutions:
-Build confidence- I want to work on becoming a more secure, confident person
-Work on my communication skills- I talk too much, or not enough, depending on the situation. I’d like to balance that out.
-Communicate more in German- I always close up in my second language. I can speak it, but I –don’t- speak it really.
-Visit at least one new country or city.
-Shape up- I lost weight and started to get fit again, now I really want to get in shape!
-Get first class honors in as many courses as possible
-Get a job or internship- I want to work on getting work experience that relates to my future career!
-Build up a more professional wardrobe- Since I haven’t worked for a while at a job that required professional attire, it’s kind of all mismatched and half doesn’t fit. This kind of goes with the “job” goal. Even if I don’t really end up needing it, it’s good to have.
-Go to more concerts- Not just classical, which I’ve managed to do over the past couple of years. I used to go see bands ALL the time. I hardly ever go anymore!
On 2010:
It was a good year. I traveled a lot and saw a few new places, including Athens and London. I got over a lot of stuff that’s been bogging me down the past few years and I started to work on becoming a more confident, happy person. I still have a ways to go, but it was nice to make good progress! I finished my first year of my Bachelors in Business Administration, and decided that Marketing was a good career pathway for me. And I started to think about which kinds of careers I might like to have, and what my life might look like for the next few years (though I’m flexible! Never turn down a great opportunity!) Overall, I feel that 2010 was one of the best years I’ve had in a long time, and definitely my best since I moved to Germany.
On 2011:
I’m optimistic and since last year was so good. I have a feeling that 2011 is going to rock my socks. I’ve made a few resolutions:
-Build confidence- I want to work on becoming a more secure, confident person
-Work on my communication skills- I talk too much, or not enough, depending on the situation. I’d like to balance that out.
-Communicate more in German- I always close up in my second language. I can speak it, but I –don’t- speak it really.
-Visit at least one new country or city.
-Shape up- I lost weight and started to get fit again, now I really want to get in shape!
-Get first class honors in as many courses as possible
-Get a job or internship- I want to work on getting work experience that relates to my future career!
-Build up a more professional wardrobe- Since I haven’t worked for a while at a job that required professional attire, it’s kind of all mismatched and half doesn’t fit. This kind of goes with the “job” goal. Even if I don’t really end up needing it, it’s good to have.
-Go to more concerts- Not just classical, which I’ve managed to do over the past couple of years. I used to go see bands ALL the time. I hardly ever go anymore!
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