Sunday, April 24, 2011

eau de parfum

... since my sister thinks eau de toilette "is weird" because it means "toilet water".

Remember my earlier post on how for the longest time I wasn't a fan of perfumes? Well, I love perfume commercials. Always have, always will. Not all of them, but the ones that have that a distinct feel about them ... as if they're set in some alternate universe similar to our own but where everyone's gorgeous and the men wear suits all the time and the women are dressed stylishly even if in casual or evening wear and none of them speak because they don't need to and everything about them and their lives is elegant and wonderful!

Sigh. So, some of my favourites, in no particular order (except for the first one ;)) ... Make sure to turn off the iPod on the right side menu!



1. Catherine Zeta-Jones, for "Arden Beauty" by Elizabeth Arden



If I could choose one perfume commercial to be my life, it would undoubtedly be this one.
I'd kill many people for her cream-coloured coat at the end.




2. Sophie Marceau, for Champs-Elysées by Guerlain



The most "eclectic" perfume commercial I like. And it isn't even that much, so goes to show what kind of style I like. lol




3. Maryna Linchuk, for Miss Dior Chérie by Christian Dior:



There are many levels of love I have for this commercial. I love how it's unexpectedly fresh, girly, fun, and cute for the average perfume ad while still setting it in the chic backdrop of Paris. The model is gorgeous, the filming was perfectly done by Sophia Coppola, and the finishing touch of using Brigitte Bardot's "Moi Je Joue" just completes it with a cherry on top.




4. Matthew McConaughey, for The One by Dolce & Gabbana



When I first saw this on TV I nearly fell over from MM's hotness. Holy sweet hotness, Batman.





5. Henry Cavill, for London by Dunhill



Slight bias because I'M GOING TO MARRY HENRY CAVILL AHHHHH. But, aside from that, I maintain that this was still a really well-shot, snazzy commercial. Very James Bond-esque.




Honourable Mentions:

Nicole Kidman, for Chanel No. 5 by Chanel:
The one everyone was talking about when it came out, and for good reason. Gorgeous.
Too long for a perfume commercial for my taste, though. And I wasn't personally a fan of the couple pairing.

Audrey Tautou, for Chanel No. 5 by Chanel:
This one I'm a bit unsatisfied with mostly because, as mentioned above, I don't like long perfume commercials. I think they should be short, sweet, and leave a lasting memory in that alone, not unlike when you get a brief whiff of a perfume in real life. I really like the premise for this one, but I think it was too drawn out, and that, again, the models were unsuitably matched. But that's just me. I think it would have made a gorgeous 30-second commercial but what can you do.

Scarlett Johansson, for The One by Dolce & Gabbana
I don't know what it is ... I like it but I don't love it. Scarlett Johansson (of whom I normally am not the biggest fan) was surprisingly impressive in these. She was evocative, nuanced, and sexy in a under-pronounced way (and subtlety really isn't her forte from what I've seen of her work), and I just liked the way she presented herself. But something about these commercials still lacked a little something that I still can't quite put my finger on.

I KNOW I'm forgetting more but if/when I remember them I'll add them later!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Study-induced depression


A little part of me dies every time I think about child abuse, especially sexual abuse. I'm just studying for my Criminal Justice final and am reading an article on sex offenders (albeit one that questions the efficiency and need for registries and alternative measures to deal with them and ... oops, sorry. I digress.) and it just breaks my heart. Every time. Even if just discussed in a detached, clinical way, the mere mention of it sincerely makes me fight back the tears.


"40,000 images of child porn are posted every week on the internet along with the appearance of 20 new children. The appetite for babies as young as 4 months old has soared. Many of these children have been kidnapped and sold into pedophile rings."
- Spencer Reid, Criminal Minds



Sorry for the unglamorous, depressing post. I just had to get it off my chest. As I've said earlier, violence doesn't normally affect me that much because I won't let it, but something about abusing utterly helpless victims who don't understand what is happening to them or how to deal with it (especially since most are victimized by people they know within their family or friends) really REALLY disturbs me.

At least it reminds me as to why I'm studying what I'm studying, of why I want to work someplace that tries to help these kids, and motivates me to keep on with it.



"He who fights monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster.

As you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."

- Friedrich Nietzsche

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Face in the Mirror

So I just found out about face reading, and though I far from totally believe in that type of stuff I think it's really fun to read about and see what's supposed to be true. So for today, I'm going to read my face. Obviously this'll be taken with a grain of salt both because it's a psuedo-science AND because I'm no face reading expert, but why not! It's just for fun anyway :)

But brace yourselves folks, this is a long one.


The Face Shape/Profile

An oval face apparently means you're calm and objective and, while you can be discreet when need be, you're very open with the people you care about. However this also means you're very reserved and tend to go into your shell. You hide your sensitivity, feelings and emotions. You value truth and objectivity and understand the world to be complex. As a rule, therefore, you dislike decision-making that is black or white and permanent.

A convex face means you're an optimist with a happy disposition.


The Hair
I have both fine and thick hair because of my parents, but more fine than thick. So
fine, delicate, and silky hair means you are sensitive and also likely to be fragile physically, especially if you are of a slender build.


The Eyes

Arguably one of the most important parts of the face, or so they say.

Steady eyes with a firm gaze reflects a solid and persevering nature and a person of stability and forthright disposition.

Wide-set eyes mean a character is more tolerant and and broadminded in perspective. People of this class may present a flagrant disregard for authority and advice. In respect of career, these types need room to breathe. Give them plenty of space to explore their creative potential. At times these types possess too broad and superficial an opinion.

Dark brown eyes ... the darkness means you're of a more forceful nature, and the brown represents your devotion in love and friendship. Brown eyes usually indicate considerable generosity.
(However, I also often wear deep green contacts and have always been attracted to green eyes both on others and myself. I've been told it compliments my appearance well. Green pretty much means highly energized people who are highly inventive in both practical and personal affairs.)


The Eyebrows

The eyebrows are strong indicators of how a person thinks. Often a developed brow line shows an observant individual with high degrees of dexterity or ability with the hands (engineers, electronics, architects, etc.).

Arched eyebrows are opinionated.


The Nose

Let's just say I do not have the ideal nose - which is a high, straight, full and fleshy tip with gently flared but protected nostrils.

Short snubbed noses mean people who are friendly but also secretive and have slow meticulous approaches to life.


The Mouth/Philtrum

The philtrum is the groove on the upper lip and below the nose. A clearly marked, deep and long philtrum means it augurs well for strong and healthy levels of energy and vitality.

Lips that are full and round are sensuous and convey that a person is caring and sensitive. If the lips are large, it means an expensive and somewhat luxurious taste -- but an expressive and generous temperament nonetheless.

Upper lips that are bigger than the lower mean you are loving, since the size of the upper lip represents the ability to love and the lower lip represents need for love. Bigger upper lips also prioritize authenticity. They connect less to what you say and more to what you are, and are quick to spot deception.

Upwardly curled lips indicate someone who is cordial and optimistic with a sunny disposition.


The Chin/Jaw/Cheeks

This is also kind of a sore point for me because I've always had big cheeks, lacked a defined jawline, and that sculpted 7-shaped profile between your chin and your neck. But, it is slightly comforting to know someone as gorgeous as Kaley Cuoco has similar attributes.

Anywayyy! A broader, round chin is symbolic of generosity and good humour as opposed to a narrow or pointed chin (which I've actually always been jealous of). Weak jaws indicate flexibility.
The stronger the cheeks the more authoritative you are. While not particularly high-set, they're fleshy and have full body, which indicate good chances of all-around happiness!
Woot! High-five, Kaley!


The Accuracy

People are inevitably going to look at their results and, for the most part, say "That's SO true!" But that's the thing about psuedo-sciences like face reading or astrology ... they're kind of generalized in a way that fits pretty much anybody. So it's pretty safe to say that I was expecting such results and am pretty satisfied, though all of it obviously isn't the most true. Every person's different, we're not defined any more by our facial construction or astrological signs or blood types than things that are less easy to measure or see. But it's fun every now and then to take tests like these and wonder how much truth could lie within these theories.
But I guess we'll never really know. Not for awhile anyway ^_^


Credits to The Face Reader, Ask Astrologer, and the Illustrated Guide to Face Reading for the fun "facts"!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

rainy days and ... saturdays ;)

Unlike the Carpenters, rainy days do not get me down. In fact, I kind of love them. They're a welcome reminder of home.

photo cred: Marta Cernicka


They're perfect to sit down, wrap yourself with a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea or coffee and read a good book.


photo cred: Rona Keller


Plus I've always thought kisses in the rain were extra romantic.




Sometimes rainy days are bittersweet. Listening to the rhythmic pitter-patter of the raindrops can make you remember memories, both good and bad. Maybe about the girl you used to be, the places you've been, the people you've loved.



But it's always comforting to know that after the rain goes away, not unlike the thoughts that rain in your mind, there's going to be a fresh sunny day filled with new beginnings, loves, and memories that bloom with the flowers made possible by the rainfall.

And, if you're lucky, maybe you'll even catch a rainbow and be reminded of all the colours that fill your life.


photo cred: Eibhilin Ni Chuirc


end fromage du jour and psuedo-poetic language. hahah.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Time to nut up or shut up

So I'm a pretty big fan of scary movies. Not super diehard, but I enjoy them. I get asked why all the time and it's pretty simple - they make you feel alive. They make all your senses go into overdrive, zero in your concentration, and get your heart pumping. They bring out the sort of primal instincts we all have which have been buried underneath hundreds of years worth of social decorum and cultural rules. Plus, I dunno, sometimes it's just a nice release to see stupid people die (that sounds horrible, but you know you're like "YES, THANK GOD!" when they do, don't lie) and/or it's just fun to challenge yourself not to be scared by the material, which actually normally isn't that much of a problem for me. But I'm normally sort of a cold compartmentalizer, so when you remain vigilant in distinguishing between fiction and reality, it's not all that hard to separate yourself from the horror. No matter how gruesome or terrifying that world you're watching on the screen may be, it's all just coloured corn syrup and prop wires. If you remember that, you can pretty much handle anything it throws at you.

That's just movies and tv shows though. Games are a whole other monster that I won't get into today.


Psycho (1960)


But anyway, really good horror movies stay with you afterwards, even if you are able to remove yourself in context. They make you question things ... does evil like that really exist? Could it ever enter my world? Is it, gasp, possible?


The Blair Witch Project (1999)


I think it's safe to say that these questions generally resonate less from campy horror movies (as much as I love me some Friday the 13th or Scream) and more from stories about human nature - what we're capable of and what we deserve. The only real horror/gore-driven stuff I've seen really touching on these themes are those concerned with zombies and serial killers. They both epitomize the potential of human depravity, and while the latter is fascinating because of the reality of its existence, I'll leave it for another post another day. To go back to what I was saying before, sometimes zombie movies don't really need to rely on this to be an effective horror movie ... like Pet #*%(ing Sematary, which to this day drains me of all happiness whenever I watch it (which is NOT OFTEN, if I can help it) because it's still downright freaky as $*@(.


Night of the Living Dead (1968)


Yet Robert Kirkman said it best in his introduction of The Walking Dead early in its run when he announced his belief that the best zombie stories are about the living, not the dead. And how true it is. There's seriously nothing about dead creatures eating living ones that's remotely interesting enough to have made the zombie mythos last so long and hold public fascination the way it has. If zombie tales had only this element they would lose viewers quickly, because why waste your time watching something so utterly ridiculous and seemingly implausible, right? But that's where the importance of the survivor(s) kicks in and where movies like Dawn of the Dead, I Am Legend, and 28 Days Later (the last two arguably not 'zombie' films but, for all intents and purposes, I'm counting them anyway) rise and shine above the rest. They show the ugly, the gritty, the depressing, the hopeful, and the shattering aspects of being faced with such primeval situations and motivations. I purposely left out The Walking Dead because I knew if I mentioned it it would take all my power not to go on a huge digression on its singular brilliance, but I have to talk at least a little about it now ... one of the biggest questions that faces Rick Grimes and the rest of the survivors in the series is, at what point can you look at yourself in the mirror and be able to still call yourself human? To still essentially be one of "us" and not one of "them"?


The Walking Dead (2003-present)


Nowadays people are at really at the height of feeling the zombie madness. I don't think there's been a time yet where zombies were so "cool". It seems anyone is willing and eager to talk about the possibility of a zombie apocalypse and how exciting it would be and what they would do, what kind of weapons they would use, where they'd go, and detail the entire post-apocalyptic plans they've got mapped out. I, for one, am the first to admit straight-up that if a zombie apocalypse broke out I'd probably be one of the first to go, depending on the situation. Hey, I'd LOVE to be all like Alice and kick the crap out of undead assailants and for all my plans to work out like successful Left 4 Dead campaigns or be able to shoot my mom in the face immediately like you know you were totally pushing for Shaun to do when he was faced with the very same situation in The Winchester. But let's be real here.


I Am Legend (2007)

I don't think I could. Could you? If your little sister or brother, whom you've sworn to yourself to protect and take care of, clambered out of their bedroom with empty eyes and the sole intent to tear your entrails out, would you be able to get over the emotional shock of it and whack their brains in right then and there? What if you're faced with that not just at the beginning of the zombie spread but somewhere in between, maybe months or years of spending time with that one other person, with no one left to talk to or be with otherwise?

And could you trust them to not do whatever it takes to survive? I saw a picture the other day that said "You're a great friend, but if the zombies come I'm tripping you." I know it's meant to be funny, but I think you and I would be surprised at how many people would actually do this. If two of you are running from zombies and they're just not stopping, what would you do? Have both of you keep running til you both lose energy and eventually become overrun, or ... do you put yourself first? As much as you would guarantee your survival, you'd be gambling between loneliness and the chance of finding someone else out there. Could you spend your days endlessly searching for food and water, a safe place to stay for the night, waiting for help that may never come? Would you be able to stay sane when you find cracks in time that allow you to process and think about what's happened, about how pretty much everyone you knew and/or loved is dead (or worse)? How much willpower and hope will you use up before you consider an alternative that would make life (or lack thereof) so much easier?


photo cred: James Ryman

I've gone on longer than I intended. It's just one of those nights where you can't shut up about these little but numerous questions you have about the silliest things. Now I can't stop thinking about the Dead Island trailer and the next issue of the Walking Dead. Good stuff to go to bed to. XD

Monday, April 4, 2011

look in the sky!

So today on my way home from school I was sitting on the subway and was playing Solitaire on my iPod when someone sat in front of me (facing towards my left though) and took something out of their plastic bag and began reading. Now, don't you lie, we're all snoops, so I glanced up from my iPod out of curiosity to see what they were reading and lo and behold it was a comic book. I fought back a big goofy grin when I inched sideways to see what the title was and realized it was an issue of Agents of Atlas - one I had read, to boot. I couldn't remember what station he got on at but I took a guess that it was Wellesley, since that's where there's a stretch of street littered with used book stores and 1 Million Comix. As far as I could tell, though, the bag didn't have any label on it so I could be wrong. I am such a super creeper.




But anyway, that was kind of a geeky fun moment for me today. What surprised me is that I actually recognized the title AND had read the issue, especially since it was a Marvel series. I started reading Agents of Atlas mooonths ago but stopped for whatever reason. Nowadays the only ongoing titles I read are Green Lantern and Walking Dead, though I'm working on catching up on Secret Six and Fables and I keep meaning to pick up Invincible again (stopped reading after around issue 12, for no particular reason, just forgot to continue). I WAS reading the latest volume of The Flash, despite the fact that it was Barry Allen and not Wally West like I wanted, and I was really enjoying it but it got cancelled. UGHHH. With Flashpoint coming up too! Son, I am disappoint.


the truth is, I don't need to be a superhero. if I were to be any comic book character

I would, hands down, be Linda Park-West ;)


I'm a late bloomer with comics. I got my first comic book from a garage sale when I was 8 when my mom bought me the first issue of George Perez' run on Wonder Woman, and I loved it. But at that age, esp. when you're a girl, your attention span is only so strong before you move on to some new toy or watch tv or play dress up and forget all about that little comic book you tuck away somewhere. It's lost now, though I have replaced it since.




I don't exactly remember what made me interested in them again. All I know is I joined a forum a little over a year ago, filled with some great people whom I enjoy talking to still, to acquire some more knowledge (among *ahem* other things, perhaps) and the ball just started rolling. I started my relapse with Infinite Crisis (which I got signed by Phil Jimenez, yesss!). My DC loyalty never really faltered - Marvel just never interested me, though I do like what little I've seen of Spider-Man and the X-Men, and upon a friend's suggestion, I really did like reading their Hercules series ... AND I want to read more of their Noir series, since I really liked the Spider-Man one I got. OK fine, Marvel's okay.
But anyway, managed to made it through 52, Countdown, Final Crisis, and Blackest Night, a bit of Brightest Day, and still am working through Batman R.I.P. That's still kind of behind - but I don't believe in cutting in the middle. I like starting from the beginning, or at least as early as I can get away with, so I get the whole story.


is there a sexier group out there than the birds of prey?

I seriously think not.



I can't wait for all the comic book movies that will be coming out in the near future, even if most of them are Marvel. They satisfy both the guy and girl in me, 'cause I can't get enough of heartpumping, adrenaline-rushed, good old fashioned action-packed adventures and I also can't get enough of gorgeous men who go around saving the day. Just the thought of seeing Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, and Michael Fassbender (well, he doesn't exactly play a hero but nevertheless) in such roles really ... well. Makes you feel like a woman. :D


you can totally tell what my type is. LOL wow.




Anyway, that's my 2 cents about comics today. I've fallen a little behind on Green Lantern so I'm going to go catch up on that now ...