My Goodbye

So its been quite a ride. I'm going to leave you with one of my favorite jokes of all time.





Two whales walk into a bar.

The first whale says:




(Don't scroll down until the video is over)






































































To which the second whale replied:


"Dude, what the FUCK are you talking about???"


Peace out y'all.

The Defensive Back

GODDAMMIT WHERE DID THESE GUYS GO???? THEY NEED TO GET THEIR ASSES BACK TO FOXBOROUGH TO TEACH THESE YOUNG GUYS A THING OR TWO ABOUT PASS COVERAGE...

Looking at these pictures brings back memories though. Ah, the good old days...

Work work work

Does anyone else suffer from severe procrastination? I feel like the most fun thing I'm gonna do this weekend is sleeping (if I even get to do that). Papers, projects, and final exams - its all winding down. The worst part is that although I feel like I've been busy all semester, I still feel behind. Part of it might be the fact that I'm doing work for 6 classes at once. I know its not supposed to be easy - if it was, there wouldn't really be any point in being here now. But does anyone/everyone feel like this?

Toll House

I was really hungry last night. Like, abnormally hungry. Leftover meatloaf in the fridge was just not gonna cut it. I needed something sweet - something comforting. So I decided to bake some cookies.

I'm not an avid baker, but damn... the recipe on the Toll House chocolate chip bag is something. I've made them a few times so far this year now, but this batch turned out great.

Now I've got a ton of cookies sitting around I have to eat. Seems like a chore.

A7X

I like to consider myself an eclectic music fan. I appreciate the intricacy of the Baroque style led by Bach, all the way to (occasional) rap and hip-hop. However, there is one style that, for reasons I just can't really put my finger on, I find both catchy and... well, pretty fucked up sometimes. This genre is metal. I don't know why its so appealing. Thanks to Metallica for pioneering this slash & thrash style of music, many groups and genres have sprouted and sucked in fanbases. One metal group that I listen to a lot is Avenged Sevenfold. They're like the death metal version of a Christian rock band. A lot of their songs contain biblical references (heck, even their name is one), but an equal amount of songs have messages that you can' help but say, "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE????" Here's a music video of a song I found really catchy the first time I heard it... but the lyrics are... well...

I'll warn you right now - this video contains extremely graphic messages. Watch at your own risk.

AGAIN - THIS VIDEO CONTAINS EXTREMELY FUCKED UP IMAGES AND MESSAGES. WATCH AT YOUR OWN RISK...

A Little Piece of Heaven

Farewell

It's been a really great experience blogging with you all. Definitely something I didn't think I'd get the chance to do for any kind of credit. Thanks to all of you for the interesting reading material, and thanks to Professor Parent for such a unique opportunity.

The Blahhhg will always totally rahhhk.

and i leave you with this because who doesn't love cute kittens?

Vermont International Festival

The Vermont International Festival is upon us-- starting tomorrow, the 4th, until sunday.

It's in Essex Junction at the Champlain Valley Exposition.

There are 50+ vendors with all sorts of unique international goodies-- food, jewelry, clothing, sculptures, instruments, you name it-- come find it here. There will be a bunch of international music as well. Gather a bunch of friends and get off campus for a little while.

(Somebody else's) Mash-up

Covers of popular songs can be incredibly tiresome (see: Miley Cyrus "Party in the U.S.A."). However, I discovered this cover of T.I.'s "Whatever You Like" by singer Anya Marina and kinda fell in love. Her cover of the song appeared on a "Best of" music list that are popping up all over as the year ends. Apparently I am late in discovering this--her cover has already been on the tween favorite "Gossip Girl".
It's worthy of a listen:

Who is someone from the Congo, DR?

Mon expérience avec le préjudice eut été à l’université de Vermont. Aviez-vous souvent écoute les nouvelle de CNN à propos de la guerre civile que se passe entre le peuple du Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi dans la République Démocratique du Congo ? Ceci à causé des problèmes pour les jeûnes Congolais et Congolaises aux Etats-Unis d’Amérique.

Les nouvelle sont bonnes pour le peuple d’écouter, and d’avoir une très bonne verve à propos de ce qui ce passe dans un lieu. Spécialement dans la République Démocratique du Congo, l’attention d’autre est importante pour le développement de la nation. La nation du Congo souffrait de la guerre civile, la guerre entre les militaires et les gens, des soldats contre d’autres soldats. Quand j’étais dans la République Démocratique du Congo à Kinshasa, j’avais des expériences pitié et soufrant. Pitie dans le sens que personne n’était plus en sécurité, et soufrant parce que il n’y avait plus des manières ou de moyens de vivre. J’étais un bon étudiant. J’avais mes parents et tous mes frères et sœurs. La partie difficile était la nutrition, l’argent, la gazoline, et la sécurité.

La majorité des nouvelles que j’écoutais à-propos du Congo étaient très mauvaises. Il parait que des « femmes » auraient été la cause de la guerre à la nation. A travers les postes de radio et des chaines Américaines les femmes auraient été la cause de la guerre civile entre les trois nations des pays contre la République Démocratique du Congo.

« Le préjugé est la cause à autrui d’une manière volontaire ou involontaire. Le préjugé peut être cause par le fait d’une survenance d’un événement naturel »

Quand en moi je pense que cela fut le préjudice contre moi ici à l’université parce que je suis née dans la République Démocratique du Congo. Les élèves, étudiants, les professeures, et probablement les policiers pensent que tous qui viennent du Congo ont la même mentalité a propos des femmes. Si les nouvelles de CNN, BBC, et les autres chaines étaient positives avec de bonnes images et vidéos, je serais bien sûr que j’aurai une très bonne expérience ici aux Etats-Unis. Malgré tout cela, c’est vraiment très difficile pour d’être aimé. Je n’étais pas un militaire dans ma nation, j’étais un étudiant. J’avais des amies et la famille.

Bad Boy II

When I was a freshman in college I watched the movie Bad Boys II. This movie is amazing. This movie really represented how people live. Wow.. I cant beleive I like the movie that much...the cars, women, men actions, and all other scenes were just amazing...


The film Bad Boys II (Michael Bay, 2003) was first published on July 09, 2003 in the USA. It’s an action movie which includes comedy, crime, thriller and more other such as explosion, accident, death, car, naked dead white woman, morgue, shoot, sequel, blood, buddy, drugs, FBI, Cuba ( It’s a country), guns, nudity, sex, shots, cops, breasts, topless, and some other… etc which I’ve maybe not listed above. Bad Boys II is one of the great summer action tap which won three awards and ten nominations (Award for Bad Boys II, 2003). The functional purpose of this movie was to investigate the flow of bliss into Florida from two loose-cannon narcotics cops named as Mike Lowrey and Marcus Bennett (Baldridge, Todd). Mike L and Marcus B were part of the Miami PD’s Tactical Narcotics Team whom didn’t most of the time really get along because of the secret they were keeping to each other. Mike’s secret was to date or tie the knot with Marcus’s sister, Sydney Burnett, and Marcus’s secret was to spend more time with his family instead of working with Mike. Sydney Burnett also known as Marcus’s sister was an undercover DEA agent trying to get money laundering operation run by Alexei known as Russian mafia boss. Johnny Tapia wanted to get over the whole ecstasy trade in the USA cooperating with Alexei the club owners and local dealer whom were both hard to arrest at first from the Miami PD because they basically had at lot of money, and they sued the PD every time they got arrested as a false arrest.

Of

Do you ever sit down, and start thinking about a word, and that word gets stuck in your head, then you're thinking about it really hard, and finally you come to a shocking realization that the word you're thinking about is really, really weird? That word for me is "of." First, it only has 2 letters - rather uncommon ones, at that. Its really inconspicuous for such a seemingly important linking word. Secondly, the word looks like it should be pronounced "off," but for some reason its pronounced more like "ov" or "uv." Crikey, I can't even think of a decent sentence with the word - Goddammit, I just said it!

Of, of, of, of, of... where the heck did this word come from?

I know you are but what am I?

this is my mash up. what better way to ring in a new pee-wee movie? (yes, he's back) -- no lie

so here it is, I must thank my roommate Paul for rapping and Josh for helpin with the album cover.

let me know what you think

WHAT IS RACISM?

Whats racism?

One could defines racism as a black authority. It is when a black man has power over other races like white people, and ect...

For exemple: Black people are very good at sports and got all the women, mostly blank women fall in love with us ;)

Damn...

Racism is the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.

Wolves

There are several groups of wolves: gray wolf, North American wolves, red wolf, wolves of Central and South America, Mexican gray wolf, European wolf, Maned wolf, Ethiopian wolf, Aretic wolf, and Arobian wolf, (Wolves of the world). Wolves are dangerous animals which may mate with domestic dogs although they’re not friendly. Wolves eat meat and insects; they’re carnivores, and they eat anything from field mice to huge caribou (Williams, Lezle). Wolves communicate by making body movements or language, and they also howl to signify behaviors.

DONT WORRY THIS CAME FROM ONE OF MY MATH PAPER THAT I HAD TO WRITE...SO THIS ISNT PLEASURE EYES OK??? Thanks,

Well, personally I have only seen a deer once when I was driving back to my parent’s house in Burlington, Vermont, but I have never faced a moose in my entire life however I’m hoping for it. Moose make up largest portion of the deer family in North America. Female moose weigh approximately around 750 to 1350 pounds depending on their food supply, and male moose weigh somewhere around 1100 to 1700 pounds. Moose have long, thick, light brown to dark fur with concave hair helping them to stay warm when it’s cold. They have long front legs, and shorter rear legs in order for them to jump over trees or things in their ways. Moose have a long skull, a large nose with big an upper lip, small ears, large nostrils, and a small tail.

The Dodo's

For all you indie lovers out there- Please do yourself a favor and check out The Dodo's. Really easy listening, The Dodo's are Meric Long and Logan Kroeber. Folky, indie, and a little bit poppy- they've been compared to Grizzly Bear and Department of Eagles, both of which are great bands in which you should also check out.

You're just in time for their new album-- called Time To Die which has been receiving great reviews. Be sure to get their first full album Visiters, a great listen as well.



doDO check them out. you won't be let down.

HatchhhhhhhhhhBACK :)

Why most French people drive hatchback cars? Based from my thinking I guess hatchback is the most convenient cars for you to be driving.

Wagons cars are kind of hatchback but it has more room in the back :)

Hatchbacks vehicle are mostly for young people in the French culture. If you want to be ganster and respoected buy your friends then drive one.

I wish everyone at least own a hatchback car. It is a very fun car to drive, U GOT ALL THE BACK ROOM LIKE your DRUNK WHERE YOU COULD PUT SOME ILLEGAL THINGS TO USE WHILE DRIVING.

Beers, alcohol are some of them... come on people let think more baby

Evident Utensil

Chairlift - Evident Utensil (Official Music Video)

No, you're computer is not messed up. This is the video for Chairlift's Evident Utensil. An interesting approach of manipulating effects to create something new out of what looks like your computer freezing. As the song goes on-- the morphing gets pretty cool, faces turning into other faces into fields with people into a big rainbow mess. Kind of reminds me of 90's videos that couldn't get enough of the morphing effect.

French Movies

French movies are very hot when you watch it in group. Try it out...ask your friends to hookup together and watch a French movie.

French...haha just listen to the way it sound...F-R-E-N-C-H damn I cant be over it. It is just very hot

Toy Story

Over Thanksgiving break, I decided to pop this classic into my VHS player (yeah, I still have one), and I had some interesting observations.

I know I made a post a while ago about this movie being the demise of Disney animation. I still believe this to be the case. However, it was only a matter of time before this technology took hold, and I think Toy Story was the perfect tale to make this transition.

The plot of the movie is simple - a new toy, Buzz Lightyear, complete with karate chop action, a "laser," deployable wings, and high-tech sound effects, arrives in Andy's collection. Buzz quickly outsources Woody, an old-fashioned cowboy doll with a pullstring-activated soundbox, as Andy's favorite toy. Woody is completely against the change - he goes so far as to push Buzz out of Andy's window in order to reestablish himself as Alpha Toy.

Woody represents the old ways of entertainment by means of representing spaghetti westerns and his simple design. Buzz, on the other hand, is the embodiment of the ADD-ridden childhood class of the 90's. He operates through facades like his "laser" - which Woody attacks as a "little light that blinks" - his technologically advanced-looking space armor, and even the box he comes in, a futuristic spaceship.

So what does this mean? Woody doesn't reject Buzz (they even become friendly at the end of the film): he rejects what Buzz stands for, even through the end of the movie. That which Buzz represents is change. The film opens and ends with the soldiers spying on Andy's family opening gifts; symbols of the threat of catastrophic change to the toys by means of new, more preferred toys.

To tie it all together, Toy Story in itself pronounces the death of the production of animated films (I know I'm gonna catch shit for this because of that Princess and the Frog movie that's coming out, but there's reasons for that film's production that I just won't get into right now), and the conscious transition to 3-D animation that will calm said ADD generation more effectively through Woody's denial of and resistance to change. It isn't a coincidence that the movie is about toys. Toys are the go-to material object for parents seeking to appease their children.

Toy Story is more than a combination of plot and characters. It is a statement of the compelling need to change from old to new.

momo

this is momo.

One of my room mates and I picked this lil kitty up two months ago. She's quite adorable but also incredibly nuts. We decided to name her momo because it means peach in Japanese. But beyond that it doesn't really make sense because she isn't peachlike. hm?

One of the best things about having her is of course her kitten company but also how photogenic she is. I've been able to snap some pics of her that I hope you guys will enjoy.

Stupid Talkative

Damn how is the hell every time I go out some people be hating on me? Is it because I drive the best car in town? Get all the hot ladies in my school? or...because I am an athletic?

I guess it could be because I am from Vermont, and most people from other states rather than Vermont, stated like New York, New Yersey, and other cities states...talk too much bad things about Vermont.

This brings rumors about people who is from Vermont as sketchy, hippies, people who doesnt take a bath, weirdo, creepy, and more other related words.

Damn I am not from Vermont. Why couldn't you be pride of yourself now huh? Let talk about people from Vermont...watch this very carefully and take a closer look on how other people perceive people from Vermont

Tryout

Hahah I guess it is time to try out for a team...Are u ready? Come on people...we need good players to make the team so that we could win this season.

I am a hard working athletic, I practice everyday, and drink muscle milk sometimes after practice. I want to bring the victory to the team this year. Well, guess what?.. you needed to follow my lead in order to be like me. Go to the gym everyday and drink at lot of milk and eat vegetable for a better digestion. Beside those, being a carnivore has at lot of advantages for you to gain muscles.

MILK, MEAT, WATER, AND VEGETABLE are the best source of nutrients for athletics.

Boston Hat

Sick hat isnt it? no comments...I think boston hat aint that much of a ganster hat for people of colors to be wearing

Pleasure Eyes

Here are some examples of pleasure eyes...Pease read them carefuly and tell me how you could tell one was a pleasure eye.



But recent cases have shown that employees sometimes have more privacy rights than they might expect when it comes to the corporate email server. Legal experts say that courts in some instances are showing more consideration for employees who feel their employer has violated their privacy electronically.


The mental imagery that we experience while reading, either spontaneously or induced by instruction, is now known to have powerful effects on comprehension, memory, and appreciation for text. This may seem self-evident today, but it was not long ago that purely language-based theories of cognition and memory prevailed. If imagery was recognized at all, it was held to be incidental and of little importance.


Don't be put off by the title - this one is a little gem which shows a really accessible way of creating assessment scales for classroom tests. It uses a system of binary choices that the teacher works out beforehand. I used it to createscales to assess note-taking, which is really ahrd to assess and it has proved successful for that.

Guess who

Welcome people,

I guess I would call you all students because students could be different than people. In some cultures, teachers are being salut be their students everyday they come to teach the class.

I found this passage very interested while reading it

Americans schools are the best, you arent required to take a class but you chose which classes you are interested to take

Here is the video

Bohemian Muppets

I realize everyone might be tired of YouTube vids, but I love the Muppets, and Queen, so I don't care!
Enjoy:

Only in Japan...

TOKYO - NOVEMBER 30: A nail artist shows her 'Hello Kitty' nails during the Tokyo Nail Expo 2009 at Tokyo Big Sight on November 30, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The nail industry has grown to nearly 200 million Japanese yen market in 2008 and the annual event attracts 50,000 visitor.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

This weekend I saw Fantastic Mr. Fox-- another Wes Anderson success in my mind. It's definitely worth a watch if you like his other films and even if you don't. Though it is a child's story-- it's really made in a way that anyone can enjoy. If you're a lil kid, I think the visuals would be enough and if you're a big kid then everything is pretty fulfilling-- the story line, the visuals, the characters-- not to mention that the character's voices belong to a range of great actors including George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman (a personal favorite-- check out Bored to Death on HBO), Bill Murray (another personal favorite), Willem Dafoe, and Owen Wilson to name a few.

It's sort of empowering in a whimsical/ foxxy (?) kind of way. One of the girls in my film class said that its the way "Roald Dahl would want his movie to look." How she knows that I'm not sure but check it out and see what you think.

Also, if you enjoy the Roald Dahl tales in movie form, check out James and the Giant Peach.

Micheal Jackson

Freestyle after you got drunk and stoned

Use your weapon to end the battle or just slap someone to get the pride.

:P this is rediculous. This wont brong ya no whre beside jsut gettin ready to insdut someioe and talk good abourt yourself haha :)

Hip Hop represents the Black Culture.

I am 100% sure that Hip Hop does not always represent the black culture or the black community.

Some raps musics are very wack, and it riuns young americans. The rap musics it all about violence, sex, money, cars, jail experience, and how good he/she is.

Rap, Hip Hop, would not be recommended to children for their better future. Those musics are very wrong. Although Hip Hop are NOT such great musics, some rappers make at lot of money by doing it.

A video here. WATCH THIS.

Luther and the unity of the churches

I FOUND THIS ARTICLE VERY INTERESTED SINCE I AM CHRISTIAN-CATHOLIC, I HOPE EVERYONE WOULD ENJOY TO READ THIS.

TAKE A LOOK HERE, thanks!!!

Oh damn my phone got taken away!!!

Everytime when I met someone I like to make them call me first so we could hangout at parties then probably go and have sex.

Oh well, I am an athletic, I play soccer, basketball, and all different sports. Women are just all over me. I dont spend energy to talk to them. They come and talk to me and I just answered to their questions. By the end of the night, they decided to spend a night with me.

I am so lucky to be who I am. Oh thanks UVM for your consideration. I am from the cities far from burlington, VT. I told women that I hated vermont because it is too sketchy while I got everything for granted, for free.

I am from NYC. I do whatever I wanted. My friends are from other cities than NYC. They do the same as me. We are lucky to hate burlington VT and have all the FUN by ourself.

Bored

Being bored is good for you! The more often you got bored the more often you got smarter. People gets bored because they can not manage the times and do not know what to expect? When you are under big stresses, and you don't have a better job then you screw up.

Someone should live without any stresses and worries. There are several ways of stresses. School could be one of them? Friends, a relationship, family, transportation, possibly yourself were few of most stresses that I thought of.

Don't let those stresses take over you! Try to manage stresses and find resources that could help you with it.

Lightsabers

Ah, the legendary energy swords made
Famous by the genius of George Lucas.

The embodiment of ancient power
And spiritual energy.

The ultimate phallic symbol for the
Intergalactic nerd.

God, what an amazing creation.

A question?

1. Americans behaviors toward refugees or immigrants from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Middle East

2. Who is an African?

3. Sports vs Coaches

4. Didn’t make the athletic team? What is next?

5. Beating a coach up on the street a good idea?

6. How many coaches got their ass beat up?

Mercedes-Benz, Lumumba

What is the most expensive car in the world?

What is the tighest car in the world?

What is the most lasting/durable car in the car factories?

If you wanted to be respected by other people, then drive a mercedes-benz. Mercedes-benz is the most expensive car in the world. People loves these cars but can't afford them because it cost too much to buy, and too much to repear them.

Get one mercedes-benz after your graduation

Here are some mercedes-benz for free ;)

White Women

White women are beautiful. Especially when they are young, you just can't stand them. They are very attractive and soft.

All black students here at UVM have had an experience with at least one white woman. They love us, and we like them. It is mutual.

A real black man has to spend a night with the cutest white woman in his school for the record. If you are a black man and never done so than you are a dead slave.

Fantastic Mr. Anderson

I love Wes Anderson. Mr. Anderson is responsible for such films as Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Life Aquatic, The Darjeeling Limited, and my person favorite, The Royal Tenenbaums. What I love about Wes Anderson is his simplicity, his understanding of human communication (or the lack of it), and his incredible attention to detail. And, not to mention, his brilliant soundtracks.

His latest film is an adaptation of Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox. It's Anderson's first animated film in which it utilizes the very tedious stop-motion animation. It premieres November 25 and I, for one, cannot wait.

Trailer below:

Mashups

In light of all the mash-up talk, I decided to compile some that I've found along the way.

Pineapple Express/ Toy Story



A new look at Mrs. Doubtfire



This isn't so much a mashup as it is just replacing human heads with muppet heads. It's still kinda funny.



I don't know why the toy story mashups are so good but here's another mixed with The Dark Knight

Sneakers

Since I was in the Congo DR, in Kinshasa I have liked to spend money on sneakers. I bought several basketball sneakers that I wore everyday to the ecole, school, I was young and very competitive.

Boots were cool but heavy to be wore everyday to school. When it rains I wore them, and when its not raining I don't wear them.

Back in Africa, people don't wear cloth depending on the weather. You could find some people wearing a winter clothe from the US, or Europe during the summer time in Africa.

Basketball sneakers are the tightest shoes in the world. It could be wore during the basketball games, while side walking, playing other sports, and running. I would recommend that everyone should at least owns one basketball sneaker or more.

Get some here they are FREE. Free basketball sneakers from YILumumba Donation Program

Getting A Good Email

Have you ever wonder how wonderful it is to be happy about a result?

If you were an individual who supposed to be killed by someone because they dislike you, then suddenly you received a letter from some superiors telling you that they arrested those haters.

People don't like each other because they think that one was superior to another, and one was better than another. I guess being a positive minded person, and loving each other is the best way to deal with the society.

Let me tell you something, you better off get ready to live the American dream rather than to be in jail without any hope.

TAKE A LOOK ON THESE AND LEAVE SOME COMMENT

fyi!

The Leonid meteor shower is expected to be visible in the U.S. around 4am Tuesday morning. If you're an early riser, you'll witness what is said to be the best meteor shower in years.

(More info)

Doctor Shadowing: Medquest

Hello everyone,

I guess shadowing doctors and doing health care trips while being in high school it is a very good ideas to think about.

If a student is interested to go to medical school or to study medicine in college, you would need to get ready for it, intellectually, physically, and morally.

Here is some resources about my own experience

Man Without A Head

I recently received a disc of 16 award winning short films. L'Homme Sans Tete (or Man Without a Head) was one of the first ones I watched. Luckily I found it again online. I highly suggest setting aside the 18 minutes it takes to watch this. It makes you think and is quite unusual and visually pleasing.

The movie's tag line: The man without a head will meet his true love tonight. For this occasion, he shall buy a head.

watch it here:

man without a head

If you decide to take the time to watch this, let me know what you think.

I have so many questions as to what it would be like if we lived in a world of interchangeable heads... how would we recognize anybody? It makes you think about how much we take our heads for granted. Weird but true.

Guatemala Kite Festival

In the spirit of all of my other halloween posts-- why not stick with a similar theme.

The All Saints Day (or as some know it- Day of the Dead) Kite Festival in Santiago, Guatemala, is a beautiful tradition. Local residents dress in bright colors and go to the graveyards to fly their kites in hopes of communicating with the dead.

These are not your average windy-day kites. No, these are hugeeee.. ranging from 24 to 36 meters. They're typically circular, colorful and designed with a religious theme. Though made out of just bamboo, cloth and paper wire-- they can sustain heavy winds.

It's a way to enjoy remembering the departed and coming together with other loved ones. It can be a fun way to compete with neighbors in kite races and just feel unity within the community.

Drunk Ewoks

Alright, I've been pretty good about not posting youtube clips but I just had to make an exception. Maybe it's cause I'm a star wars nerd,

maybe it's cause there's been so much halloween talk but this clip seemed appropriate. I also think it's pretty hilarious.

The moon walk has got to be my favorite part

Umbrelluhhh?

To add to my festivities on halloween, I'd like to share this incredibly ridiculous story with you all:

So it's pretty difficult to find a cab on Halloween night, they are completely full to the point where those sketchy black and silver taxi cabs pull up to people offering their taxi services. Word to the wise-- don't accept those offers. But this story does not have to do with sketchy taxis, no, but it does start with the attempt to hail one. My friend was holding his umbrella out-- a feeble attempt to hail the bustling new york city cabs. A guy who seemed like he was in rush asked my friend "Can I borrow your umbrella?" Before my friend even had a chance to respond, this guy yanked his umbrella from him and continued to run towards another guy. At first I thought he was trying to steal the umbrella, which seemed kind of pointless seeing as it wasn't raining and umbrellas are relatively cheap. Well, I was wrong-- he took the umbrella to use it as a weapon against someone else. He went to go beat down on this other guy when we saw his opponent catch the umbrella with one hand and turn the whole fiasco around on him. This was complete with yelling angry woman in the background-- "Bobby NO!!! Don't hit him," screeching and yelling ensued-- I'm guessing someone didn't abide by the "bros before hoes" code.

All of a sudden this altercation erupted in a flurry of people running out into the street. There were about 7 people in the middle of the street, in the middle of traffic, all out going at it, umbrella and all. My friends and I thought it smart to perhaps move somewhere else seeing as it seemed to be getting pretty serious. Soon enough the cops were involved, running after all the culprits down the street but to no such luck as to catch them.

My friend was left with a bloody finger and we were all a little bit scarred after it happened. Shocked and slightly amused, we decided to take the subway.

Halloween in NYC

So I spent Halloween in NYC.

Let me just say there is really nothing like it. Everyone is dressed up and if you're not then you're just that guy (or girl) who is too cool to be seen in a costume. And ok-- there is definitely a lot to be said about slutoween (namely that I despise this aspect of halloween)-- I'd like to propose that there are at least some people out there with some creativity. I don't really feel like the skank outfits are excused by the fact that it's halloween-- if you choose to take that route with your costume, I mean... you had a choice there.

ANYWAYS, totally not judging!

Luckily I got to snap some photos while I was out there in the big apple--

my personal favorite of the night:

here's another that I liked, right near union square:

And one more:

so come on people, halloween 09 has come to a close but put on your thinking caps for halloween 2010, be creative, innovative, weird....you can do it!

Paranormal Activity

If you haven't heard about Paranormal Activity yet, you must be hibernating because people are a buzz about this thriller. I haven't seen it yet but despite mixed reviews, I think I'll probably make my way to the theatre.

What is incredible about this movie is the budget that was used to make it (only $11,000).

It was shot in the director's house-- with a crew of three and a cast that was quite small.

The shoot lasted a mere seven days.

The first I heard of this movie was through my Dad in a text message. "Have u heard about this movie Paranormal activity? It's supposed to make people afraid of their own bed."

The trailer for the movie is a bunch of reactions to it. People getting freaked out mostly and squirming in their seats.

If anyone has seen it, let me know what you think, if it's worth being freaked out for the next couple of days.

LT

Now, I know we generally aren't fans of the youtube posts, but I found this video the other day and I think it absolutely kicks ass.



I'm not a Chargers fan, and I don't particularly care for Ladainian, but I thought it was perfect. I really liked how they built his childhood up, then incorporated his experiences through the years in the final touchdown. I feel like this is something we can definitely relate to and inspire us. I believe that who you are today is a direct reflection of your life experiences, and if you can use them the right way, you will fulfill your own destiny.

Besides, Morricone is a damn good composer.

follow/up

(Where the Wild Things Are + Halloween)

I'm sure this one of a million Wild Things costume, but this one is adorable.

Thinking about Wal-Mart

I was at Wal-Mart the other day, and as I was waiting to check-out, there was an old woman trying to pay in the aisle next to me. I mean, she was like REALLY old. Bent over, shaky voice and gestures, etc. However, they wouldn't accept her check. I'm not sure why - I didn't quite hear what they were talking about. So her total was like $40-something, but she only had $17 in cash. The cashier then proceeds to unbag things until her total is below $17, then another employee comes and unceremoniously carts the stuff off back into the store. I guess the manager came over to see if the cashier was fine, and she sorta rolled her eyes and said it wasn't a big deal. Now, I'm all about capitalism, but shit - that sort of thing is depressing.

Put a record on

Slate.com, an excellent political and social commentary blog, dedicated one of their daily photo journals to the (almost) long-lost record store. Our generation and the generation before us have all but put out record stores, favoring digital music and cds before that. Our generation prefers ipods because of their convenience and portability. I like my ipod, but downloading music instantly doesn't quite have the same effect as thumbing through stacks of old records.

I remember when I first heard Paul Simon's Graceland on record. It was the spring of 2008 and I was sitting outside in a Burlington yard, having dinner with friends. The sound was robust and beautiful and did proper justice to Simon's terrific album. The sound that resonates is what sets records apart from your computers and ipod docks; records recreate an unadulterated sound that unique to records. Admittedly, listening to records is about the whole experience. There is something very charming about placing the needle on the grooved record and the crackling noise the record makes as it begins to spin.

Interestingly enough, the generation that killed the radio star, is also bringing records back. Our generation is incredibly nostalgic, even for things that we didn't experience the first time around, like records. Luckily, in Burlington, records are not hard to come by. Burlington has an abundance of music and thrift stores, most that sell records.
Burlington Records, on Bank Street opened last spring and sells records and record players (there is also an awesome thrift store on the second floor). If you're looking for cds, don't bother: Burlington Records sells records exclusively. Pure Pop, on N. Winooksi (at College Street), has older records and a great collection of newer music released on vinyl. Pure Pop also has an huge selection of new and used cds. Downtown Discs on College Street also sells cds (mostly used) and also has a small collection of records. Off the beaten path is Speaking Volumes on Pine Street (across from Battery Street Jeans and Great Harvest Bread Co.). Speaking Volumes is an awesome book/antique/record store in Burlington's South End. Speaking Volumes' collection rivals Burlington Records' collection with rare records. It's a bit expensive, but if you're looking for something unique, you can find it at Speaking Volumes.
You'll find records popping up at thrift stores, yard sales, and perhaps in your parent's house. Wherever you find them, give them a second look. Soon, you may be asking your dad for his old record player.

"Slutoween"

Look, it's sexy Indiana Jones!

I have a confession: I hate Halloween. This is unpopular with Halloween enthusiasts young and old and I have been met with looks of utter disgust when I tell people that, yes, I hate Halloween.

First, I don't like manufactured scary things (movies, haunted houses, etc.). The world is a frightening enough place as it is. I don't need to watch some woman being hacked up with a chainsaw by a masked man for entertainment.

Second, I don't like costumes. I've always had an fear, although I admit, an irrational one, of mascots. At profession sporting events I would cower behind family and friends as not to be seen by the mascot (what is this anyway?!). I don't know why these people in furry get-ups think that they can give me a hug, pat my head, and honk my nose just because they are in a costume.

As an adult, something new bothers me about Halloween. Yes, it's fun to get together with friends for a Halloween party. And like Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Arbor Day, Halloween is another excuse to drink. However, when I was younger I dressed up as a rabbit; a bag of Jelly Belly's; and as a pair salt & pepper shakers with a friend. However, there is a current trend with women and girls to dress up as, for a lack of better work, a hooker. The trend epidemic is so popular, there is even a name for it: Slutoween.

Women will put on a mini-skirt, stilettos, a bra, and some ears, and voila! She's a sexy bear. Leggings + tank top + ears= a sexy cat. Basically, a scantily clad outfit + ears = the standard female Halloween costume.

I don't have a problem with miniskirts--wear whatever you want, respect yourself, and have fun. My issue with the Slutoween epidemic is the lack of creativity and the fact that Slutoween has been marketed to girls. Frankly, it's gross how early girls are sexualized and not just on Halloween. Check out Limited Too or Abercrombie Kids; tight t-shirts and mini skirts are marketed to little girls as young as four.

You might say that girls want to wear sexy costumes. I argue that they "want" those costumes because it is the only thing that is marketed to them. Walk into any store that sells clothes or costumes and you'll find completely gendered boys and girls sections. Boys are sold Batman costumes and girls are sold mini dresses that resemble princesses or witches costumes. It is so ingrained in our culture that no one seems to notice anymore.

Mean Girls brought this phenomenon to the mainstream when the main character Cady states, "Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it." Yeah, that's pretty scary.

Where The Wild Things Are -- Follow up

So I made a post a couple weeks ago talking about Spike Jonze and how wonderfully brilliant, cool and awesome he is. Yep, still right about that. Go see Where The Wild Things Are, I wasn't disappointed and hopefully you won't be either!

I'd like to first say how amazing all of the costume and set design was. The wild things, the big furry, towering creatures that they are, were made out of big foam suits in combination with CGI (for their heads.)

side note: I'd like to give some props to Maurice Sendak for introducing some of the strangest creatures especially within a children's story-- sometimes horned, sometimes fanged, furry yet fierce, big, loveable, mismatched wild things.

There's an amazing fort-type building they create in the movie which was also an incredible aesthetic element.

I wasn't really sure what to expect-- purely a children's movie or something more.

I got a lot more. You can definitely read into this movie as a commentary on life-- where we are the wild things trying to find some sense of order-- having to confront answerless questions and thus having to come up with our own sense of meaning-- the important part is how, who, or what you define this meaning as.

It's darker than I was expecting, which I really liked-- It didn't try to sugarcoat ideas by presenting an easy solution to the questions it asked.

Karen O. (lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's) and The Kids, wrote the soundtrack for the movie, which takes you on a journey in tandem with the film, playful, dark, sad, lonely, happy, etc.

so after the seeing the movie, my own personal wants:

- one of the suits Max wears

- A big, life-sized wild thing stuffed animal

Disney

So yesterday I opted out of studying for a french quiz for a good bit of television. No, it wasn't Sports Center, or MTV, or Anthony Bourdain. It was the good old Disney channel. And what better feature did I watch than the legendary "Aladdin"?

I remember watching this movie as a kid and not understanding it. Well, most Disney movies have "hidden messages"that only appeal to adults (we'll get to that), but I'm talking about the story in general specifically. The whole law about the princess having to marry a prince, the whole concept of marriage, and Jafar's inexplicable infatuation with evil went way over my head. However, the movie was saved because of the cute and lovable Abu, and the shy but sweet Carpet, and of course, Robin Williams' signature excessively bizarre voice acting as the Genie. Years later, I understand that Muslim tradition during (probably) the 10th-14th century treated women far differently than Americans view women today (as well as marriage), and Jafar's motives became more of an issue of lust for power, something incomprehensible by a five-year-old.

I gotta hand it to them, even after 17 years of aging, and the evolution from the animated to the computer generated - which I can ramble on for ages - the film was still knee-slapping hilarious. The allusions to pop culture still appeal to our senses today - when Aladdin becomes Prince Ali Ali'ababwa (or something like that) and parades into Agrabah, the Genie pops up like an announcer during the very familiar Macy's Day Parade. Aladdin also confides in the Genie at some point, and the Genie tells Aladdin that he likes him - but "not enough to look for curtains" or something along those lines.

Rant - I'm upset at all this computer-generated garbage. We have lived through the death of animated feature films as we know it. It started with "Toy Story", and as a last-ditch effort Disney produced Mulan and maybe a couple others, but "Finding Nemo" was the nail in the coffin, and really the turning point in what children watch. Did you know that Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse, though both still on the Disney channel, are now completely computer-animated? Yeah, its pretty depressing.

EDIT: Oh, and I forgot; the movie captivated me so much that I decided to stay till the end and show up five minutes late to my quiz. Haha.

Cooper

Meet Cooper, a lovely black lab aged 6 years. Cooper is probably the best dog I've known. She loves people, but doesn't jump. She is shy, but very playful. She's the type of dog that will play ball until your arm gets too tired - if you couldn't tell by the picture, she actually is quite attached to her ball. You'll also notice from the picture that she doesn't sit like a normal dog. She plops down right on her ass. I think she thinks she's a person. She loves attention - if you pet her, expect to be in for the long haul. She only sheds once a year, which I think is pretty uncommon for black labs.

Here's a short story of Cooper's dedication: I went for a kayak and paddle boat ride with my parents last summer, and we saw Cooper running along the shore, making sure we were in sight the whole time. We stopped and talked for a little bit, then realized that Cooper wasn't on the shore any longer - she had actually jumped into the water, and swam probably 100 yards to us. She was almost there, but no way could she stay afloat for that long. My stepfather had to lead her into shore in his kayak. I thought she was a total bonehead at the time. But I realized she only did it because she had to be near us.

Whenever my brother, Sam (he's 4 1/2), is playing near the water in his sand, Cooper is sure to be sitting nearby, protecting him. I'm sure that if he were to fall, she would be right there to try to help him.

Cooper tore her ACL about a year and a half ago. It happened over the summer, but we elected not to do anything right away - she would require 6 weeks in a crate after surgery, immobilized, so we figured we should wait until winter when she's not really missing anything. Winter came - she got the surgery. She was really, really out of it when she got back home. She had to wear a cone around her head so she wouldn't lick the staples in her leg and infect the incision. There was some humor in it though - her entire leg had to be shaved so the vets could operate efficiently. I mean the ENTIRE leg. Like, paw to butt. Her back actually looked kind-of like a big, hairy chess board. The funniest part of it all was it took until the beginning of this summer for the hair to grow back. I took her on a walk and someone stopped and asked me why she looked like that - I told him she was a rare breed of lab, a Checkerboard Lab. I think he thought I was serious.

Unfortunately, we think Cooper has now torn her other ACL. We aren't sure what to do. Another surgery is costly, and potentially risky. We could end up having to put her down. I'm scared for her - she's such a good dog, loving, devoted, and friendly. I hope she can play ball again.

The best band you are (probably) not listening to

This weekend, I had the sensory pleasure of seeing Grizzly Bear in concert. The indie darlings were melodic, charming, and completely rocking. Opening for Grizzly Bear, however, was Beach House, the best band you are (probably) not listening to. I’ve loved them for awhile but their live performance confirmed my undying love; theirs was one of the best I’ve seen in recent memory. Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste told the audience, “You should really listen to this band.” I know Ed, I know.

I first discovered Beach House in the winter of 2008 after they released their second album, Devotion. During the desolate Vermont winter, I was warmed by the otherworldly melodies and the poetic lyrics that would dance around romantically in my head.

Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Beach House is Victoria Legrand and Alex Scully. Legrand and Scully employ a keyboard, organ, guitar, and exquisite vocals to create some of the most original music I’ve heard. I read an article describing Beach House as “unclassifiable” music with which I wholeheartedly agree. Often artists are cheaply passed as sounding like x artist (I find this particularly common in bands with female vocals). However, vocalist Victoria Legrand’s voice is so hauntingly beautiful, she is unparalleled in comparisons.

I don’t care much for “Best of” lists, no matter how accurate they are. However, both Beach House’s first album Beach House and their second effort, Devotion, were included on Pitchfork’s Best Albums list in 2006 and 2008, respectively.

I have to wait until 2010 to hear another Beach House album. Yet, this band’s already impressive body of work is sure to get me through another long winter. I implore you to check out this beautifully talented band.

What, say you, is the best band that we’re not listening to?

ps:

The Trotsky

Bonjour from Montreal. This weekend is the Montreal Film Festival (Festival du Nouveau Cinéma.) I just attended a screening of Jacob Tierney's "The Trotsky." Revolutionary!

What an interesting concept for a movie-- a 17 year old kid, Leon Bronstein, thinks he's the reincarnation of Leon Trotsky. He has a list of things he must do in order to fulfill a life that mirrors Leon Trotsky's. He's incredibly motivated, dedicated to getting his school a union for it's students.

I'm impressed with this movie for a number of reasons. I thought it was shot well, it had an incredibly unique plotline, the characters were interesting-- especially Jay Baruchel who did a great job as Leon. The dialogue was noticeably more believable for the most part than with many other movies. It was inspiring-- the story, the creating of such a story and just the movie as a whole, rebelling never seemed so... inspiring? yea.

See this movie when it comes out. Especially all you UVMers who have been a part of any of the on-campus protests, you'll probly dig this.

Ahoy matey...

So, we all remember the ex-navy captain Vermonter who was captured by Somali pirates last spring, correct? Well, piracy continues to be an issue in the ungoverned waters off the coast of Somalia. However, some resolution may come sooner than expected.

A band of Somali pirates attacked a ship last night, but were immediately thwarted. Why?

The vessel they attacked was a French navy command ship.

The ship, titled "Somme", measures 160 meters long. Allegedly, the pirates were confused when the ship fired back, and attempted to flee. The Somme captured a band of pirates, who are held on board at this time.

Seriously - how do you fuck that up?

Read the Full Story Here

My Video

I think its way too abstract... but... whatever.

Its all about Legos... and life. I'm not sure if I did this assignment entirely correctly, but, if nothing else, try to listen to my message and use your imagination. Other than that, I'm not going to tell you too much else. If you're really interested or confused, I guess you can ask about it. But I think everything you need to know is already in the video.

recipe for cookies & life.

moving essay

Lily from Lauren on Vimeo.

Al Kaprielian

The man who has been making weather fun for southern New Hampshire for 25 years. He studied meteorology in Lyndonville Vermont, and he knows a thing or two about "High Pressure." Enjoy - I know I did.

correction....

My best friend swears her and her boyfriend will own one of these things one day... good luck guys, they're highly illegal in the US and almost every other country I've researched. And not to ruin anyones fun, but apparently they are terrible house pets, they can't be trained and create an awful stinking mess anywhere and everywhere they so please. But... we can all dream.

oh and as a side note:

:

PANDA DOG!