What's to come in the near future for American culture? Apparently absolutely nothing worth while...according to an article released by 'the Onion' the upcoming work of our favorite artists, filmmakers, novelists, and musicians are the worst to be mass produced since 1999. A joint statement has been released by a group of these individuals involved in the entertainment industry saying that what is to come from now until the end of 2011 will be "pretty rough stuff".
After reading the article, I'm beginning to agree that what has been coming out recently hasn't been meeting my own personal likes for certain individuals that I've always loved before. I haven't come across anything sincerely monumental since "Black Swan" and I don't believe that is even a part of the 2011 cultural year. It seems as if you can't turn a corner in Hollywood without getting hit in the face with either a vampire, teen wolf, or other syfy mutant script. Is it an epidemic or just the entertainment industries easy way to keep a young audience interested? Either way nothing compares to the filmmaking genius of the 1960s or breakthrough films of 2000.
They continue to state in this particular article by 'the Onion' that advertisements will continue to amp up their work to make audiences believe that what is out there is indeed "the best of the best"...even though they are saying it is far from that. In my own opinion it seemed as if these artists for all these areas of work aren't trying to get an 'awe' factor of a great hit, it seems as if they are just trying to keep an audience. The passion seems to be fizzling. The advice given to society from this article alone is to bask in the wonders of the past until the work of the future entertainment area improves themselves.
Let's hope that 2012 brings more potential classics to show this generation is indeed not one to be messed with...let's hope we see a redemption coming soon.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Save a Life, Buy a Fish
In light of National Stress Out Week, I understand if there are individuals who feel as if they're drowning with the amount of group projects, presentations, essays, and 10+ page papers that are on a cut throat dead line. There are many things you can do to try to relieve the stress that is building up within our bones radiating out on any innocent victims that may have crossed us the wrong way in a particular moment.
There are things like comfort foods that can ease the soul for even the slightest moment and make you feel at peace with yourself again. It could be mashed potatoes, Cadbury chocolate mini eggs, rice and beans, chicken salad, really anything that makes you feel alive again.
Exercise is always another thing that is sometimes overlooked. The body needs to be active for at least an hour and a half a day but unfortunately our demanding schedules can't always accommodate for this necessity. A suggestion I have in regards to this is to use the option of walking to destinations as opposed to simply driving to them.
Something that has been helping me throughout the day is a little Betta fish named, Noodle. I rescued him from the wrath of WalMart when they told me about how this particular little guy was on the reject pile due to his lack of color and fin shape. Of course, I had to save his little life. Since I've had him his color has become more immaculate and his energy levels have increased dramatically. I'm almost positive he recognizes me when I come close to his bowl and he flares his little gills in an attempt to flirt, this mere gesture alone melts my heart and I can't help but coo and toss in a few freezedried bloodworms (his favorite treat). It may seem like an unlikely solution to trying to maintain the stress that overwhelms my soul time to time but in all honesty, it works.
Betta fish are the most low maintenance fish you can have in the small closet they call a 'dorm room' where two people live during the semester. All they need is some room to swim, a piece of decor they can claim their territory, a few pellets of food once a day, and a regular cleaning of their bowls. Essentially they are the easiest fish to take care of that also show some sort of response to their owners. Water fixtures are known to help ease the mind and soul if you take the time to appreciate them for a few minutes a day. As I'm frantically passing in and out of my little dorm room, I make it a point to take a gander at my lovely little Betta, and in that moment I feel my internal stress level slowly decrease to a more manageable one.
It's amazing how something as small as a Betta fish can help make life seem that much more beautiful.
There are things like comfort foods that can ease the soul for even the slightest moment and make you feel at peace with yourself again. It could be mashed potatoes, Cadbury chocolate mini eggs, rice and beans, chicken salad, really anything that makes you feel alive again.
Exercise is always another thing that is sometimes overlooked. The body needs to be active for at least an hour and a half a day but unfortunately our demanding schedules can't always accommodate for this necessity. A suggestion I have in regards to this is to use the option of walking to destinations as opposed to simply driving to them.
Something that has been helping me throughout the day is a little Betta fish named, Noodle. I rescued him from the wrath of WalMart when they told me about how this particular little guy was on the reject pile due to his lack of color and fin shape. Of course, I had to save his little life. Since I've had him his color has become more immaculate and his energy levels have increased dramatically. I'm almost positive he recognizes me when I come close to his bowl and he flares his little gills in an attempt to flirt, this mere gesture alone melts my heart and I can't help but coo and toss in a few freezedried bloodworms (his favorite treat). It may seem like an unlikely solution to trying to maintain the stress that overwhelms my soul time to time but in all honesty, it works.
Betta fish are the most low maintenance fish you can have in the small closet they call a 'dorm room' where two people live during the semester. All they need is some room to swim, a piece of decor they can claim their territory, a few pellets of food once a day, and a regular cleaning of their bowls. Essentially they are the easiest fish to take care of that also show some sort of response to their owners. Water fixtures are known to help ease the mind and soul if you take the time to appreciate them for a few minutes a day. As I'm frantically passing in and out of my little dorm room, I make it a point to take a gander at my lovely little Betta, and in that moment I feel my internal stress level slowly decrease to a more manageable one.
It's amazing how something as small as a Betta fish can help make life seem that much more beautiful.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
With Beautiful Weather Comes...too much work
We've finally made it Oswego. Another lame and horrible winter has passed and we're moving on to the beauty that we've missed so much that Spring and Summer bring. Unfortunately this lovely weather is difficult to enjoy when as a student you've been hit by the 'work truck' hard and fast. It shows no mercy as it plows us into a cement depressing existence...(temporarily of course) until the summer breeze wraps its arms around us. It always seem to rescue us at the nick of time from the degrees we're paying far too much money for only to get overlooked by 92% of all job companies because we "don't have enough work experience"....that's another story though.
My main goal here is to provide some soothing beats to help ease our souls and make it easier for the student lifestyle to cope with. During my 4 and a half hour drive from home this weekend I let my iPod flow and do its thing with the shuffle on to see what the music gods would fate me with. I wasn't surprised when I was hit with my "California Jams" as my other half tends to put it. Basically it's just some soothing music that has a bit of a pop to it like many Indie jams do. A majority of my music is from when I went on a music searching spree in high school so I have some classic Indie jams that should make anyone feel calm and at peace with themselves.
I'll share some of my favorites with you and hope they have the same serene effects.
The Postal Service is one of my favorites and these are only 2 of the many songs I enjoy from the band. They're just your classic feel good easy listening music.
Death Cab for Cutie is another one of my favorite soothing indie bands to relax and jam out to.
Something Corporate is killer when you're in a certain mood and need to get lost in your thoughts just enjoying the music.
My main goal here is to provide some soothing beats to help ease our souls and make it easier for the student lifestyle to cope with. During my 4 and a half hour drive from home this weekend I let my iPod flow and do its thing with the shuffle on to see what the music gods would fate me with. I wasn't surprised when I was hit with my "California Jams" as my other half tends to put it. Basically it's just some soothing music that has a bit of a pop to it like many Indie jams do. A majority of my music is from when I went on a music searching spree in high school so I have some classic Indie jams that should make anyone feel calm and at peace with themselves.
I'll share some of my favorites with you and hope they have the same serene effects.
The Postal Service is one of my favorites and these are only 2 of the many songs I enjoy from the band. They're just your classic feel good easy listening music.
Death Cab for Cutie is another one of my favorite soothing indie bands to relax and jam out to.
Something Corporate is killer when you're in a certain mood and need to get lost in your thoughts just enjoying the music.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
I'm No Superman
Let's talk about someone worthy of a notable mention, Zach Braff. Many of us are familiar with the character, Dr. John Dorian, Braff plays on the popular television series Scrubs created by Bill Lawrence. This is basically where Braff got a majority of his recognition for this fun loving quirky character. Scrubs gained 17 Emmy nominations during it's run from 2001 to 2010 such as best casting, best cinematography, best directing, best editing, and best writing. Zach Braff was also nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, all in all Braff had created his own personal empire and gained tons of praise for his roll simply on Scrubs.
What many people don't know is Zach Braff also directed several episodes of Scrubs including the 100th episode titled "My Way Home". Along with his talents in acting and directing television during this time he decided to take it a step further by announcing his directorial debut for his film Garden State in 2004. The film was shot in his home state of New Jersey and had a budget of about $2.5 million. The film made over $35 million in the box office, overall...a success. Braff wrote the script in 6 months for the film and initially producers weren't all in for the financing of this film but with a little persuasion on Braff's behalf the film happened. In February of 2005 Garden State won a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack.
If you have yet to see this film I highly recommend you go out and watch it. It was the most beautifully made film I've seen in awhile and touched on every emotional chord. Braff describes it as a "coming of age film for twentysomethings" and was worth every minute I spent watching it. Zach Braff definitely has a gift for film making.
His newest project in the making is a film titled Open Hearts which he will be directing and is expected to come out sometime in 2011. The film is a remake of the 2002 Danish film with the same title. I have every upmost expectation of this film to be another Zach Braff classic, best of luck to him!
What many people don't know is Zach Braff also directed several episodes of Scrubs including the 100th episode titled "My Way Home". Along with his talents in acting and directing television during this time he decided to take it a step further by announcing his directorial debut for his film Garden State in 2004. The film was shot in his home state of New Jersey and had a budget of about $2.5 million. The film made over $35 million in the box office, overall...a success. Braff wrote the script in 6 months for the film and initially producers weren't all in for the financing of this film but with a little persuasion on Braff's behalf the film happened. In February of 2005 Garden State won a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack.
If you have yet to see this film I highly recommend you go out and watch it. It was the most beautifully made film I've seen in awhile and touched on every emotional chord. Braff describes it as a "coming of age film for twentysomethings" and was worth every minute I spent watching it. Zach Braff definitely has a gift for film making.
His newest project in the making is a film titled Open Hearts which he will be directing and is expected to come out sometime in 2011. The film is a remake of the 2002 Danish film with the same title. I have every upmost expectation of this film to be another Zach Braff classic, best of luck to him!
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