some lovely lady singers i love...
Ingrid Michaelson
Emma Louise
Lorde
Owl Eyes
Hannah Trigwell
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
This is a Rant. Public Transport edition.
Trains, in particular.
these are things which people do that irk me when i'm on a train:
Chewing with your mouth open. DISGUSTING! first of all, chewing sounds are horrible, they make me want to be sick, and second, no one wants to see your lunch all mushed up in your mouth, not to mention crumbs spraying everywhere. it's making me nauseous just thinking about it. bottom line: chew like you have a secret.
Slurping drinks. this form of irritating behaviour in my observation is mostly found in teenagers with slushy drinks from 7-11. Please stop, it's bad manners, it's noise pollution and it's really unnecessary. if your straw is failing you, just give up.
Sniffing. Yuck, yuck, yuck. you are germy and gross. get a tissue please.
Coughing without covering your mouth. again, yuck.
Talking loudly on the phone. nobody is interested in your conversation, please lower the volume or tell the other person you will call them back later.
Invading peoples' personal space. I understand that during peak hour when the trains are crowded, it makes sense to just sit or stand wherever there is space, but when this is not the case, PLEASE don't sit next to me, breathe on me, touch me, just augh!! I don't know how many times i've been on a fairly empty train, with any number of places to sit, and people get on and insist on sitting RIGHT. NEXT. TO. ME. i hate it, and i'm sure i'm not alone. and standing! i once had a seat on a train with a medium level of crowded, but not so much that the passengers were packed in like sardines. this however did not deter an extremely rude man to stand right in front of me, basically thrusting his crotch in my face for the entirety of his journey. Thankfully, he got off several stops before me, and also thankfully, i had a book so i could at least try to ignore this inconsiderate behaviour.
Bringing young children on the train. I understand that sometimes this is necessary, but if you must do it, please try to control your offspring. seat kicking, screaming, crying, whining, etc. just reinforces my wish for the 'children should be seen and not heard' rule to be reinforced.
Starting up conversations with random strangers. Don't do it. Ever. I don't know what it is about me, do i have a general aura about me that says 'tell me your life story'?! NO!!! i routinely carry reading material when i use public transport so as to ensure a happily solitary journey. do NOT sit down and try to talk to me. i will assume you are a psycho.
these are things which people do that irk me when i'm on a train:
Chewing with your mouth open. DISGUSTING! first of all, chewing sounds are horrible, they make me want to be sick, and second, no one wants to see your lunch all mushed up in your mouth, not to mention crumbs spraying everywhere. it's making me nauseous just thinking about it. bottom line: chew like you have a secret.
Slurping drinks. this form of irritating behaviour in my observation is mostly found in teenagers with slushy drinks from 7-11. Please stop, it's bad manners, it's noise pollution and it's really unnecessary. if your straw is failing you, just give up.
Sniffing. Yuck, yuck, yuck. you are germy and gross. get a tissue please.
Coughing without covering your mouth. again, yuck.
Talking loudly on the phone. nobody is interested in your conversation, please lower the volume or tell the other person you will call them back later.
Invading peoples' personal space. I understand that during peak hour when the trains are crowded, it makes sense to just sit or stand wherever there is space, but when this is not the case, PLEASE don't sit next to me, breathe on me, touch me, just augh!! I don't know how many times i've been on a fairly empty train, with any number of places to sit, and people get on and insist on sitting RIGHT. NEXT. TO. ME. i hate it, and i'm sure i'm not alone. and standing! i once had a seat on a train with a medium level of crowded, but not so much that the passengers were packed in like sardines. this however did not deter an extremely rude man to stand right in front of me, basically thrusting his crotch in my face for the entirety of his journey. Thankfully, he got off several stops before me, and also thankfully, i had a book so i could at least try to ignore this inconsiderate behaviour.
Bringing young children on the train. I understand that sometimes this is necessary, but if you must do it, please try to control your offspring. seat kicking, screaming, crying, whining, etc. just reinforces my wish for the 'children should be seen and not heard' rule to be reinforced.
Starting up conversations with random strangers. Don't do it. Ever. I don't know what it is about me, do i have a general aura about me that says 'tell me your life story'?! NO!!! i routinely carry reading material when i use public transport so as to ensure a happily solitary journey. do NOT sit down and try to talk to me. i will assume you are a psycho.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Lifescouts #7
I haven't done a lifescouts post in suchhhh a long time so i'll do one now.
The Zoo badge. i've had a few cool zoo experiences in my 21 years, but my top 2 have both included live music, because my nearest zoo is the Melbourne Zoo, where live music is a thing, and i think that's really cool, because i love live music and i love animals. so the two combined is just amazing.
i chose 1 story to share for my lifescouts badge blog post, which happens to document my most recent zoo excursion. over the summer, the zoo had a series of events called 'Zoo Twilights' which was a sort of fundraiser for the zoo where all kinds of different musicians played evening concerts at the zoo.
I went to one of these with a friend, and we got to see Georgia Fair and Lisa Mitchell, who are some of my favorite artists, and we had a picnic and it was just really lovely. i'd definitely recommend Zoo Twilights to everyone, in particular i think it would make a very nice date, but it's also a great thing to do with friends or family. AND we got to see some of the animals beforehand, which was lovely.
and here is my badge.
on the topic of zoos, my favourite animals to see at the zoo are the elephants and the monkeys, and 'We Bought a Zoo' is a brilliant movie.
The Zoo badge. i've had a few cool zoo experiences in my 21 years, but my top 2 have both included live music, because my nearest zoo is the Melbourne Zoo, where live music is a thing, and i think that's really cool, because i love live music and i love animals. so the two combined is just amazing.
i chose 1 story to share for my lifescouts badge blog post, which happens to document my most recent zoo excursion. over the summer, the zoo had a series of events called 'Zoo Twilights' which was a sort of fundraiser for the zoo where all kinds of different musicians played evening concerts at the zoo.
I went to one of these with a friend, and we got to see Georgia Fair and Lisa Mitchell, who are some of my favorite artists, and we had a picnic and it was just really lovely. i'd definitely recommend Zoo Twilights to everyone, in particular i think it would make a very nice date, but it's also a great thing to do with friends or family. AND we got to see some of the animals beforehand, which was lovely.
and here is my badge.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
PS.
i left out a few arguments from my 'fangirls unite' post, however i shall disclose them now:
1. parents are reported to have issues with Jenna's language, as well as her "talk of drinking and sex". first of all, if you don' want your kids watching stuff with the sex word in it, DON'T LET THEM ON THE INTERNET, PERIOD. for more on 'censoring' sex talk, please see the works of Dr Kirsten Mclean, a GENIUS lecturer to be found at Monash University. because i don't feel like writing a 'sexuality and society' essay right now. if you reallllly want, i will c&p my essay on sex education in schools onto this blog sometime. but most likely i won't.
moving on.
my second argument in response to this concern... There is a heck of a lot more so called 'inappropriate' content to be found on TV, and at least Ms Marbles is making a point with hers, or at least using it in the context of comedic entertainment. these same parents probably let their kids go to stand-up comedy shows, watch Big Brother and Jersey/Geordie Shore, and attend MA 15+ movies. bottom line, there are worse things out there that your teenage offspring have probably already been exposed to, like it or not. Jenna Marbles is the least of your worries.
2. Jenna does not actively encourage binge drinking, casual sex, or whatever other scandalous activities certain adults seem to be so alarmed about. Yes, she talks about them, but a) that is because she is in her mid twenties, a time when such activities are perfectly normal, not to mention LEGAL (because not once to my knowledge has Ms Marbles condoned underage consumption of alcohol, for example). b) Jenna herself acknowledged in one of her interviews that she was not originally aware of the age-range her audience spans. she reasonably assumed she was speaking largely to her peers, and even said that she agreed that some of her content was not appropriate for say, a thirteen-year-old. Jenna Marbles does not seek to influence young viewers, however she is accessible on the internet to all ages, and if parents don't want their kids watching her videos, that's their issue, not Jenna's. Jenna's videos are what she does for a living, just like some people make adult films for a living, and some actors and actresses portray somewhat X-rated lifestyles in movies FOR A LIVING. however I don't see Good Morning America attacking James Franco for playing a stoner, or particular adult film stars for doing what they do. Jenna makes videos which pertain to things that are a part of HER life, at HER age, or that are relevant to viewers within her age group. and there ain't nothin wrong with that.
3. Jenna Marbles is a COMEDIAN. a lot of what she discusses, she does so in jest, and more often than not she is extremely self-deprecating in her humour. a lot of her content is made purely to make others laugh, and is not to be taken seriously, nor do the majority of her yes, young fanbase take her seriously. Teenagers are not completely stupid, in fact some of them are even intelligent enough to be able to appreciate Jenna's brand of humour for what it is and take away from her videos the more serious messages that are embedded within the jokes and profanity.
that's enough for now, i think.
1. parents are reported to have issues with Jenna's language, as well as her "talk of drinking and sex". first of all, if you don' want your kids watching stuff with the sex word in it, DON'T LET THEM ON THE INTERNET, PERIOD. for more on 'censoring' sex talk, please see the works of Dr Kirsten Mclean, a GENIUS lecturer to be found at Monash University. because i don't feel like writing a 'sexuality and society' essay right now. if you reallllly want, i will c&p my essay on sex education in schools onto this blog sometime. but most likely i won't.
moving on.
my second argument in response to this concern... There is a heck of a lot more so called 'inappropriate' content to be found on TV, and at least Ms Marbles is making a point with hers, or at least using it in the context of comedic entertainment. these same parents probably let their kids go to stand-up comedy shows, watch Big Brother and Jersey/Geordie Shore, and attend MA 15+ movies. bottom line, there are worse things out there that your teenage offspring have probably already been exposed to, like it or not. Jenna Marbles is the least of your worries.
2. Jenna does not actively encourage binge drinking, casual sex, or whatever other scandalous activities certain adults seem to be so alarmed about. Yes, she talks about them, but a) that is because she is in her mid twenties, a time when such activities are perfectly normal, not to mention LEGAL (because not once to my knowledge has Ms Marbles condoned underage consumption of alcohol, for example). b) Jenna herself acknowledged in one of her interviews that she was not originally aware of the age-range her audience spans. she reasonably assumed she was speaking largely to her peers, and even said that she agreed that some of her content was not appropriate for say, a thirteen-year-old. Jenna Marbles does not seek to influence young viewers, however she is accessible on the internet to all ages, and if parents don't want their kids watching her videos, that's their issue, not Jenna's. Jenna's videos are what she does for a living, just like some people make adult films for a living, and some actors and actresses portray somewhat X-rated lifestyles in movies FOR A LIVING. however I don't see Good Morning America attacking James Franco for playing a stoner, or particular adult film stars for doing what they do. Jenna makes videos which pertain to things that are a part of HER life, at HER age, or that are relevant to viewers within her age group. and there ain't nothin wrong with that.
3. Jenna Marbles is a COMEDIAN. a lot of what she discusses, she does so in jest, and more often than not she is extremely self-deprecating in her humour. a lot of her content is made purely to make others laugh, and is not to be taken seriously, nor do the majority of her yes, young fanbase take her seriously. Teenagers are not completely stupid, in fact some of them are even intelligent enough to be able to appreciate Jenna's brand of humour for what it is and take away from her videos the more serious messages that are embedded within the jokes and profanity.
that's enough for now, i think.
MINIONS
i realise the last post was really really long, so here's some minions to brighten your day.
fangirls unite.
Ok, i know i'm late to the party, but when i discovered this particular occurrence, it became imperative that i add my 2 cents in. and i don't care that it happened a few months ago now, this is my blog and i get to say what i want, when i want, on it.
so, Jenna Marbles VS Good Morning America (heretofore referred to as GMA because i'm lazy)
so apparently Jenna Marbles, who a lot of us know and love as a youtube comedienne, has attracted so much attention online, that the television people decided they could ignore her no longer, and in true television fashion, they decided to feature her in one of their tv shows so they could pretend they're all hot and happening, when really Jenna Marbles and her magical youtube videos have been around for quite some time. the result? a horrendously disrespectful, ignorant and insulting interview on GMA wherein Ms Marbles was belittled, patronised and portrayed in a completely misunderstood light. basically they implied that she is popular for no reason, her videos are stupid and inappropriate and she is a bad role model for misguided teen girls who "live on the internet" (a quote from the New York Times, who also did an article on her). here are some links to paint a picture if you, like me, are only recently hearing about this:
http://jennamarblesblog.com/oh-great-job-good-morning-america/
watch, shock, rage, come back and finish reading my blog please :)
and now for my thoughts on the matter.
as Jenna so beautifully said in her own defence, it's obviously a case of the tv people not understanding the internet machine and how it works.
Jenna's videos are so popular BECAUSE they are the way they are: low-budget, down-to-earth, and yes, sometimes a little silly. silliness is one of the sole reasons why people watch youtube videos. another thing about Jenna's videos: there are a lot of youtubers out there who use higher-tech equipment and editing techniques that i don't really understand, and yes their videos are great, but what's so great about Jenna's type of video is that it looks achievable to those of us who are not as skilled technologically as the 'pros'. some of us might be considering startingup their own youtube channel, but maybe they feel intimidated by the amazing-quality videos already out there and what holds them back is that they feel like making videos themselves is not possible without a really expensive camera and equipment and a crew. Jenna Marbles, as well as other popular youtube personalities such as Alex Day (nerimon), Dan Howell (danisnotonfire), and even Carrie Hope Fletcher (itswaypastmybedtime) show aspiring youtubers-to-be that this is not the case. all you really need is a camera, somewhere to film and something to say. it's youtubers like them that inspire other people to start making videos of their own. and while some people may view a career as a youtube personality as, shall we say, illegitimate, in this day and age, with the internet becoming more and more accessible and so much a part of our everyday lives, it may not be such a bad choice as a career path. and if not a whole career, then simply a platform to voice your thoughts.
one suggestion i have for people like the unfortunate souls at GMA, or concerned parents who feel that videos such as Jenna's are inappropriate for their teenage kids to be watching, is to go and watch the various 'draw my life' videos that many of these youtubers have made. in nearly all of these particular videos, the youtubers who make them cite other internet personalities who came before as inspiration and role models. many also tell of times in their lives when they felt lost or without direction and purpose, and thus started out making videos, not really expecting this to go anywhere, when BOOM they find success and fame and happiness. these particular videos represent hope to so many people within the internet generation, who, like them, feel their lives lack direction. these videos show so many young people that they are not alone, and that picking themselves up and getting back on track can be as easy as picking up a camera and making silly videos.
the appeal of these youtube personalities such as Jenna is that they are normal, down-to-earth young people who are not afraid to put themselves out there, in all their awkward, silly, young-person glory. there is something refreshing about a role model who does not necessarily have it all together, but can be seen actively trying every day to work towards something. a lot of young people find it much easier to identify with this than the highly airbrushed and over-edited and scripted TV personalities, whose lives seem so ridiculously out of reach. yes, Jenna Marbles and others are successful now, but they (for the most part) started with nothing but an idea, and they are still on their own journeys. most of them speak in their videos about working towards bigger things, and having goals and ways to stick to them. they talk about schedules that they make themselves meet, and they even use their audiences as a way to be held accountable in terms of meeting their personal deadlines. Alex day is writing a book, Charlie McDonnel is making short films, Carrie Hope Fletcher has scored herself the role of Eponine in a production of Les Miserables, Dan and Phil have their own radio show, and Jenna is just trying to show that life goes on, after her breakup with a long-term boyfriend, and dealing with having recently moved to a new state where she doesn't know many people. i don't know about you, but to me that sounds like a LOT of young people out there, trying to make their own dreams happen, kick-start their careers, or wrangle with the difficult situations that life throws at us all every day. these youtubers show that such things are achievable, they give others something to aspire to.
so what if Jenna Marbles swears like a sailor, makes frequent sexual references, rants about things that annoy her and acts really silly a lot of the time? life's too short to be super-serious all the time, and again if you defer to her 'draw my life', which i personally found a little bit heartbreakingly beautiful, you'll understand why she just needs to laugh and make other people laugh. maybe that's the thing that helps her get through her day-to-day life. as for the swearing and ranting, this is what makes her real and identifiable for so many young people. she's colourful and funny, her humour is mostly self-deprecating and if you really watch her videos properly and are smart enough to read between the lines of her sometimes shocking but generally brilliant comedy, she makes some excellent arguments and is actually a kick-ass feminist role model to boot.
so for those stupid TV people or panicked parentals who have been so busy judging and complaining, just chill out and take a moment to try and understand what these people really represent. and i'm sure, for those not of the internet generation, there were icons in your day who were just as 'controversial' in the eyes of your elders, but who you really just loved.
so, Jenna Marbles VS Good Morning America (heretofore referred to as GMA because i'm lazy)
so apparently Jenna Marbles, who a lot of us know and love as a youtube comedienne, has attracted so much attention online, that the television people decided they could ignore her no longer, and in true television fashion, they decided to feature her in one of their tv shows so they could pretend they're all hot and happening, when really Jenna Marbles and her magical youtube videos have been around for quite some time. the result? a horrendously disrespectful, ignorant and insulting interview on GMA wherein Ms Marbles was belittled, patronised and portrayed in a completely misunderstood light. basically they implied that she is popular for no reason, her videos are stupid and inappropriate and she is a bad role model for misguided teen girls who "live on the internet" (a quote from the New York Times, who also did an article on her). here are some links to paint a picture if you, like me, are only recently hearing about this:
http://jennamarblesblog.com/oh-great-job-good-morning-america/
watch, shock, rage, come back and finish reading my blog please :)
and now for my thoughts on the matter.
as Jenna so beautifully said in her own defence, it's obviously a case of the tv people not understanding the internet machine and how it works.
Jenna's videos are so popular BECAUSE they are the way they are: low-budget, down-to-earth, and yes, sometimes a little silly. silliness is one of the sole reasons why people watch youtube videos. another thing about Jenna's videos: there are a lot of youtubers out there who use higher-tech equipment and editing techniques that i don't really understand, and yes their videos are great, but what's so great about Jenna's type of video is that it looks achievable to those of us who are not as skilled technologically as the 'pros'. some of us might be considering startingup their own youtube channel, but maybe they feel intimidated by the amazing-quality videos already out there and what holds them back is that they feel like making videos themselves is not possible without a really expensive camera and equipment and a crew. Jenna Marbles, as well as other popular youtube personalities such as Alex Day (nerimon), Dan Howell (danisnotonfire), and even Carrie Hope Fletcher (itswaypastmybedtime) show aspiring youtubers-to-be that this is not the case. all you really need is a camera, somewhere to film and something to say. it's youtubers like them that inspire other people to start making videos of their own. and while some people may view a career as a youtube personality as, shall we say, illegitimate, in this day and age, with the internet becoming more and more accessible and so much a part of our everyday lives, it may not be such a bad choice as a career path. and if not a whole career, then simply a platform to voice your thoughts.
one suggestion i have for people like the unfortunate souls at GMA, or concerned parents who feel that videos such as Jenna's are inappropriate for their teenage kids to be watching, is to go and watch the various 'draw my life' videos that many of these youtubers have made. in nearly all of these particular videos, the youtubers who make them cite other internet personalities who came before as inspiration and role models. many also tell of times in their lives when they felt lost or without direction and purpose, and thus started out making videos, not really expecting this to go anywhere, when BOOM they find success and fame and happiness. these particular videos represent hope to so many people within the internet generation, who, like them, feel their lives lack direction. these videos show so many young people that they are not alone, and that picking themselves up and getting back on track can be as easy as picking up a camera and making silly videos.
the appeal of these youtube personalities such as Jenna is that they are normal, down-to-earth young people who are not afraid to put themselves out there, in all their awkward, silly, young-person glory. there is something refreshing about a role model who does not necessarily have it all together, but can be seen actively trying every day to work towards something. a lot of young people find it much easier to identify with this than the highly airbrushed and over-edited and scripted TV personalities, whose lives seem so ridiculously out of reach. yes, Jenna Marbles and others are successful now, but they (for the most part) started with nothing but an idea, and they are still on their own journeys. most of them speak in their videos about working towards bigger things, and having goals and ways to stick to them. they talk about schedules that they make themselves meet, and they even use their audiences as a way to be held accountable in terms of meeting their personal deadlines. Alex day is writing a book, Charlie McDonnel is making short films, Carrie Hope Fletcher has scored herself the role of Eponine in a production of Les Miserables, Dan and Phil have their own radio show, and Jenna is just trying to show that life goes on, after her breakup with a long-term boyfriend, and dealing with having recently moved to a new state where she doesn't know many people. i don't know about you, but to me that sounds like a LOT of young people out there, trying to make their own dreams happen, kick-start their careers, or wrangle with the difficult situations that life throws at us all every day. these youtubers show that such things are achievable, they give others something to aspire to.
so what if Jenna Marbles swears like a sailor, makes frequent sexual references, rants about things that annoy her and acts really silly a lot of the time? life's too short to be super-serious all the time, and again if you defer to her 'draw my life', which i personally found a little bit heartbreakingly beautiful, you'll understand why she just needs to laugh and make other people laugh. maybe that's the thing that helps her get through her day-to-day life. as for the swearing and ranting, this is what makes her real and identifiable for so many young people. she's colourful and funny, her humour is mostly self-deprecating and if you really watch her videos properly and are smart enough to read between the lines of her sometimes shocking but generally brilliant comedy, she makes some excellent arguments and is actually a kick-ass feminist role model to boot.
so for those stupid TV people or panicked parentals who have been so busy judging and complaining, just chill out and take a moment to try and understand what these people really represent. and i'm sure, for those not of the internet generation, there were icons in your day who were just as 'controversial' in the eyes of your elders, but who you really just loved.
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