Girls Are Bitchy

Dearest B

2011-09-30T08:25:00.000+10:00

Dear beautiful B,

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY my gorgeous friend! It was so wonderful to hear your voice today, but made me miss you even more. But since you spent the entirety of our brief call praising me and my adventures, crying "lies lies lies" when I tried to tell you how truly fabulous you are, I'm going to break it down for you:

I remember when I first heard about you - yes, your well-deserved but ridiculous reputation preceded you! A friend of mine at Youth Central talked about an amazing, over-achieving friend at Oaktree who, at 19, was already Vic SD, among other equally incredible feats. Already I was envious, and I knew then that I wanted to meet you. (OMG WHAT A STALKER.)

Little did I know I would soon have the chance - I saw your friendly, fun-loving, encouraging, enthusiastic, charismatic personality firsthand on the Roadtrip, and knew for certain that you were someone I wanted to count as a friend (although I had yet to be officially introduced.) But I'll admit I was intimidated by your awesomeness, and never dreamed that we would ever mix in the same, over-achieving circles.

Luck was on my side; shortly after joining the Oaktree admin team, and being decidedly overwhelmed by the amount of people my age OR YOUNGER excessively succeeding at life, I was delighted and relieved to discover a down to earth, funny, smart, charming, witty, excitable kindred spirit - you. The tipping point that secured our friendship was NC, when I discovered the dept of your generosity (endless) and the fact that you are so thoughtful, it's second nature for you to insist (not offer, insist!) on helping someone.

Over the past year we've had the summer hanging out in the office, impromptu sleepovers, uni dates, many a gossip session, shared much glee and gossip girl fangirly joy, despaired over boys, and endlessly planned our futures. I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate the strength of your support, especially during the stress of LBL. You truly have been something of a mother for me at OT, always ready with a hug, bot to mention making sure I'm eating, sleeping, and taking time off (while of course not doing any of these things because you are Super Woman.) Even while I'm away, you feed my optimism, confidence and dreams with your utterly misguided faith in my abilities.

You call yourself a cynic but I know that's not true, because what drives you is knowing that you can - and will - make a difference and change things for the better. You believe the best in me, and see great things for me, because you see them for yourself (as you sure) - your conviction is motivating and flattering. One of the things I admire most about you is your honesty and your take-no-bullshit attitude (not only because it provides highly amusing commentaries on life.) I know that - wherever your ambition and hard work take you, you're going to shape the world for the better. I have huge hope for the future this world, because you are in it.

And don't you DARE tell me I'm wrong or lying (would I lie to you B? That's just offensive) because you're in massive denial about what an incredible person you are, and I'm going to help you overcome this :)

TRUE STORY.

Happy birthday B. I mean every word, and I'm so grateful, lucky and proud to have you as a friend.

JAG

Me and My E-Friend

2011-09-12T14:44:00.000+10:00

I did it. I did something I honestly never really thought I'd do, and I don't regret it.

Yes, I bought an e-reader. A Kobo, to be exact - one of the last few before they seem to have gone extinct (much like its creator, Borders), as it now seems you can sadly only buy one from North America, it is no longer even available from borders.com.au (the last remants of Borders Australia, now bought by educational publisher Pearson).

I know, I felt like a pretty big hypocrite for buying one - me, always the crusader for the written word, lover and advocator of books. Books! Food for my greedy imagination, my sturdy guardians of vivid fantasies and wild adventures, steadfastly offering a sweet and complete escape from reality, my portals of fancy and hope, housing friends I will never meet and lands I long to see; constant, reassuring, ever-hopeful.

Though, true to my (former! Sob) job, I could get appropriately enthusiastic about e-readers, quote all the perks my friends had cited; promote the ease of travel, the luxury of a library in your pocket, the cheapness of e-books, the expanding e-market, the way of the future, etc etc. But I always said I never wanted e-reading - give me paper and print, a hefty tome, the promise of a new book, a clean cover, an uncracked spine, or a well-loved, soft, caressed, wrinkled classic, with that intoxicating scent of age and wisdom and dust, preferably by a fireside with a hot mug of cocoa, any day!

I didn't shun those that chose to e-read, deride them as my father did for turning to the Dark Side,* for abandoning the good old-fashioned book for an electronic imposter and succumbing to technology. After all, my dear grandmother has an e-reader (a Nook, the Barnes and Noble version, bought for her by my uncle, who also has the Kindle) - so does another aunt, and several friends. I could cede the benefits, particularly the ultimate attraction - size and convenience of travel. As someone who notoriously spends longer choosing which books to take than anything else (and usually forgetting other so-called necessities in the process, because really, who needs 'em when you've got I Capture the Castle, The Name of the Rose or The Book Thief?) and chronically overpacks on such titles (although I contend you can do no such thing my mother will argue otherwise) to allay the fear that I will RUN OUT OF BRAIN FOOD - and if that's not a downer on your holiday, I don't know what is - this held very strong appeal.

But to my surprise, when two very good and wisdomous friends told me I absolutely must buy a Kobo for my travels, I agreed and promptly went out and bought one.

Possibly because we were closing down (oh dreadful days) at that point, so Kobos were on sale. If I need convincing, a discount usually clinches it for me.

But also possibly because even though I've got a stack of books on my desk like you would not believe, accumulated over 11.5 months of working in heaven (hello, 30% off!), I couldn't even begin to fathom which ones or how many could possibly sustain me for 5 WHOLE MONTHS, not to mention multiple flights, which can consume a book in a single sitting. Daunting, right?

Moreover, I was traveling to a country that don't speaka my language, so book buying opportunities would be scare (thank you, Rough Guide! You're not lying - my current English selection in La Fortuna consists of Twilight, Harry Potter and some Dr Phil-wannabe.) Now, if I were really backpacking it up - which I'm not, only in weekends - I might be tempted to leave my booking choosing to fate, relying on that time-honoured tradition of book swapping. But I'm living with a family, whose partaking of English literature rivals mine of Russian (in the native tongue) - read: non-existent.

And PLANES you guys!! SO MANY PLANES!! Not being a freak who can sleep on planes, the whole prospect seemed overwhelming and almost - almost! - impossible.

But no - as my aforementioned Wisdomous Friends imparted, the Kobo was the way to go! Having travelled extensively themselves for months at a time in Europe and in Africa, they couldn't speak more highly of it. So liberating! So many choices! So wonderful! Easy on the eyes! Great battery life! Pocket-sized, but not too small! And being that one of these friends worked with me at Borders (and has a book collection I aspire to achieve), and the other is the fiancee of my (former) boss at Borders, I knew these were Wisdomous Words indeed, spoken from hearts that loved books like brothers (maybe more).

I bought one, Reader. And I have never looked back. Seriously, it is fabulous. Nothing on a real book, of course, but fantastic in every other way. I soon began to appreciate this on the way over, when I had 4 flights and 40something hours to kill on the way over (split two thirds/one third in the air/on the ground). Now let's face it, airports and airplanes do not really allow the kind of headspace necessary to truly enjoy literature - and by literature, I mean anything more than a trashy good read. My plane lit of choice is fluffy, funny and entertaining, but not mushy - I want someone badass like Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter to keep me amused whilst cruising over the Atlantic, or any one of Meg Cabot's sweet, entirely-too-talkative (and I can say that because it applies to me too) heroines to find love in an exotic European location. Books that I can read in the barest meaning of the word and mostly just absorb. Hemingway, we talked about this, you'll always be my favourite but me, you and planes is a threesome that doesn't light my fire, baby.

So that's what I read before I even got to San Jose - 3 whole books, 2 Janet Evanovich novels and one by that YA Queen and part-time Mistress of Older Fiction** Meg Cabot. What a luxury! Books that, once closed, weren't taking up unnecessary space in my luggage or needing to be thrown out/donated.

Not only that, but I have the fabulous luxury of CHOICE. I have all kinds of genres to choose from: Happy Books, Sad Books, Intense Books, Really Intense Books, Books I Should Read, Funny Books, History Books, Recommended Books, Books I've Always Intended to Read, Books I Can't Wait to Read, and so on. I just finished Super Sad True Love Story, which completely bummed me out (that's for another post) so I wanted something that would cheer me up. Cue: the always fabulous P G Wodehouse's My Man Jeeves! Which is the 15th book I've read in 6 weeks - AMAZING! That I have TIME to read!! I'm making up for the fact that I've only read one book in the past 7 months (World War Z. Not my usual genre - zombies - but feeds into my penchant for post-apocalyptic dystopian futures.)

The best thing about the Kobo is it came preloaded with 100 Penguin Classics, most of which I haven't read, so I only had to add a couple more. Ebooks are ridiculously cheap (which makes me worry I'm ripping off authors) - the Game of Thrones quartet is only $19 for all four from the Kobo website! WINNING!

Another perk is that a dear friend from work has written a NOVEL which she could send me in PDF format before I left and I downloaded it right away! (but if you ever have the choice, download in ePub if you can, it formats better.)

Equally awesome is the fact that I can shop on the go. Should I ever run out of reading material, or simply desire more, I can shop easily in the Kobo online store (can't believe Kobo 1.0 didn't have wifi!), which has pretty good prices (BD obviously very competitive and website of choice when shopping on a computer, not wirelessly. Better range too.)

Though I will say this: there are definitely some less-than-glowing features about the Kobo that it can't really help by nature and therefore books will always win:

--> It has a battery. Somehow I keep forgetting this though, and so at the most inopportune or particularly annoying times - while at school, or in the middle of a good book - it will die. Thankfully, real books never die. But the Kobo does have great battery life - I use it intensively (I probably read 2-3 hours a day and more on weekends) and I charge it once a week.
--> You can't flip back to that last chapter if you missed something or forgot a name or want to double check what someone said. This is pretty annoying - I could never read Peter Temple's Truth on this thing, because I'd constantly need to refer to earlier passages to remember who is who. But most frustrating is that I can't mark a page if I find a quote I like and want to come back to, or write down later - when I'm done with my books they tend to resemble little rectangular porcupines, with all kinds of scrap paper and post it notes marking phrases and paragraphs of note. No can do with the Kobo.
--> Potential harm factor is high, ie I wouldn't take it in the bath with me. Ok fine it's not like I'm having any baths over here BUT I am wary about taking it to the beach. It's not a problem if I'm with friends - although sand is worrying - but having just been to the beach by myself for the weekend, it's not the kind of thing I like to leave with my towel on the shore. If I had a book, it wouldn't be a huge deal if someone stole it (although obviously annoying.) More irksome is the fact that if (god forbid!) anything should happen to it - I drop it, it decides to stop working, stolen, lost, etc etc - I lose my library! Books are much harder to break.

So while my Kobo is my best friend while I'm away, I'll be returning home to my true besties, who will always be there for me and whom I will always love and cherish. I may not have the tactile experience of reading a physical book, but I lose none of the pleasure - the sheer, down-the-rabbit-hole delight of the story.

So what should you look for when buying or considering an e-friend?

--> Open e-reader - meaning that unlike the Kindle, it's not locked on to Amazon.com - you can buy and download from any site (except Amazon obvs). This means you can take advantage of free classics available from Project Gutenburg! FTW!
--> Not backlit - better for your eyes, for battery life and more like a real page. Although you should probably invest in a book light.
--> Extra memory capacity, if you want it - the Kobo comes with 1Gb of memory, which it's claimed can hold up to 1,000 books, but since most downloads are a couple of mb, not one, that's exaggerating slightly. It's more than enough for me, but if you want more, get one with a memory card slot.
--> Wifi - for on the go downloading!
--> Touch screen and colour? That's up to you my friend! My Kobo is not a touch screen (isn't the always the first thing to go?) which I like - it just has a toggle button.

Any recommends for books I should be downloading?

x
JAG

*ok so he didn't actually say that but it pretty much sums up his whole view of technology - and I am Darth Vader ;)
**I couldn't very well say adult fiction now could I? Though I know a certain riotgrrl would love it if I did :)

Lovely La Fortuna

2011-08-31T01:51:00.005+10:00

Do you know what I love most about life in La Fortuna? The fact that it's a small town, about 5 times bigger than the one I've from, but a charming size nonetheless. It's small enough to walk around and navigate easily, but with all the ammenities you could really want or need (which is definitely more than you can say for my humble beginnings!)

What this means is whenever I walk around, I'm bound to see a friendly face - someone I know, if only in passing. Almost every day when I'm walking home from school, or around Parque Central to get ice cream with L, the other volunteer who was working at the school (she went home yesterday - yes, sadface), or shopping at the supermercado, or talking to my parents on the public payphones, I will see a kid from one of my classes at school - or they'll see me first, and shout "¡hola teacher!" and wave furiously. When I went running on Wednesday (a feat from which I am still recovering!) I ran a little ways up the road to the waterfall, and passed one of the kids from my third grade class riding his bike on his front lawn (I waved feebly as I passed by, gasping for breath).

My Lonely Planet told me La Fortuna had a population of 10,000 people, so I was prepared for something approximately the size of Parkes, or maybe Deniliquin. My Lonely Planet was lying (yes K, it appears to be on a factually inaccurate trend!! Haha), which I quickly realised once I got here. It's possible LP is including all the small towns in the area, about 10min away from LF - that's really the only explanation, you can't mistaken this for a 10K town. But I'm glad it's not - because that would mean it would have more than one fast food chain (as it is, it has a Burger King - and yes, it's as random as it sounds!) and probably traffic lights (I've only seen them at one intersection, near the school - not sure to what extent they are actually observed.)

Yes, La Fortuna is the touristiest town around (and yes, I'm aware I just coined another word - put in the bitch dictionary y'all!) with the streets literally with offices and offers, but still manages to keep a small town charm about it. It helps that it still feels very rural - that you walk just one or two blocks away from Parque Central and stumble upon paddocks and cattle grazing. And with the beautiful (if ominous) volcano looming large overhead, to grace the landscape with a different pose everyday, silhouetted by the frequent storms, the stunning sunsets, the constant clouds creating new and picturesque views, how can this town do anything but stay true to its natural roots?

So yes, it's fair to say I heart La Fortuna.

x
JAG

The Girl Effect

2011-08-30T10:04:00.000+10:00

Every time I watch these videos, they simultaneously make me want to cry, then fill me with incredible hope, and remind me that this is why I want to work in the development sector, this is why I want to volunteer with the Peace Corps, and want so very badly to work for the UN one day.

x
JAG

An Omlette + a shot of Tequila (the lunch of winners)

2011-08-29T15:39:00.003+10:00

or VMA LIVE BLOGGING Y'ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! (yes, said just like Oprah - I'm sure you read it exactly that way.)

Because it was so much fun last time, and I'm a massive fangirl like that.

8.11pm
I switch on right as they're doing pre-show Black Carpet interviews. They ask Taylor Lautner what kind of shocks (or kisses) he's going to bring to the awards ceremony this year. There's altogether far too much reference to Jersey Shore, the people and the show.
Selena Gomez gushes over everyone she meets, but she looks so cute while she does it I forgive her. It's super awkward when she has question time with the Biebs - and he just looks so much like a girl/lesbian/that comedian I've seen on Good News Week that it freaks me out - but he kisses her sweetly at the end.
They announce, kind of bizarrely and without any warning, the winner of the Best Video with a Message - I would be happy if either Firework (Katy Perry) or Mean (Taylor Swift) won, but Born This Way really does deserve it. Damn that's an empowering song. So be empowered, cuz baby you were born this way!

I do not know any of the nominees for Best New Artist. I guess that's the point, but last year Lady GG won, and I'd been to her concert. So...my prediction is none of these guys will make it big ;)
Katy Perry is escorted in by Russell Brand in a very Japanese-inspired outfit, which is cute, but kind of lame by her standards. I mean, you can't even see her boobs - not even a little bit! I know, what's with that? I'm hoping for a costume change. But she is nominated for 10 awards tonight, so surely she has to win one!!
Some guy called Kevin is hosting. Like the so-called Best New Artist contenders, I have no idea who this is. Also doomed to a future of being a nobody.
Lady GaGa comes on dressed as Jo Calderone, and it took me much longer than it should have to recognise her. She makes a long monologue about the real GaGa and commences with her performance of "You and I." Adele looks confused, and the Biebs less than impressed (to be honest - and I hate to admit it - but I'm kind of with him on this one.)

8.14pm
Nicki Minaj comes on, looking like a ~~Harajuku Barbie~~ bad (and very obvious) imitation of GaGa. This is actually kind of sad, since I love some of her previous looks ("BOLD" as our friend Luan would say!!), but since GaGa was dressed like a man, I guess someone had the bring it. Jonah Hill makes a "why did the chicken cross the road" joke which leads to a statement against criticism that because he's lost weight, he isn't as funny anymore. Actually very amusing.

They announce Best Pop Video, and of course my love lies with Last Friday Night, but Britney wins. She thanks God, and then others. Have to say I did not see that coming.

8.24pm
Jay-Z and Kanye (in double denim) have a rap off. Biebs still not looking impressed, but Selena claps warmly.
John White (who? I am clearly not qualified to watch or judge this, but watch me) and Miley Cyrus, who declares a passionate love of rock, announce the Best Rock Video. I'm rooting for Mumford and Son's The Cave, but the Foo Fighters win - I guess if you've been nominated 12 times like Dave Grohl has, and you've only won twice before, you probably deserve it.

8.33pm
Enter The Beastie Boys, apparently from the future, who show us their future "moves," and are consequently challenged to a dance-off by Tylor the Creator (who I only recognise from the pre-show chit-chat. I'm getting better at this!) TBB cede after a short demo from THC, who announce the Best Hip Hop Video. I just hope Chris Brown doesn't win (I don't care how good his music or videos are, he's a scumbag). My wish is granted, and Nicki Minaj wins for Superbass (pronounced like the fish by Snooki) - apparently this girl is the new shit, and I missed it. Well, that's why I watch MTV, to remind me of the important people and issues in the world. She thanks everyone at a mile minute, including God, which is getting quite the look-in tonight, and I'm sure She is as surprised as I am.

8.42pm
Demi Lovato - baring her boobs and showing just how far she's come from Disney and rehab, thankyouverymuch - with the all too swoonworthy Chord Overstreet, who agree that when great people work together, they produce greatness, etc. They declare Katy Perry and Kanye's collaboration on "ET (Extra Terrestrial)", which of course delights me, although I must confess, my money was on Nicki Minaj for this one, given the way she's been trending (and not just on Twitter.)

KT and Kanye hug it out, and KT takes the mike to cheekily say "now this is the time when you want to interrupt me!" Kanye does not look pleased. KT goes on to joke "there's nothing like the first time...like the first Moon Man!" (Kanye akwardly admits he's already got some.) KT thanks God as well. Apparently that is now the in thing to do - you can blame Nicki M for starting this trend, it seems no one wants to be called God-hating by breaking it.

Rick Ross and Paul Rudd deliver a confusing tete-a-tete about how they constantly get confused for each other, which was funny up until Rudd's last line about being a middle manager...what?...or Ross misses his cue. In any case, there's an awkward pause before they introduce Pitbull, Ne Yo and Nayer to perform "Give Me Everything." I have to say I'm a fan of Pitbull, and the fact that he's a 30 year old bald man just makes it that much more hilarious. He, like the Biebs, is wearing some rather interesting red pants, and, like the Biebs, is not rocking them.

8.55pm
Katy Perry comes back onstage, with the dress change I requested earlier - she is looking purple and clad, but still far too modest. I'm not sure what's up with this. Maybe new husband RB is totes jelly, and wants to keep those bad boys all to himself. Can't say I blame him, but man, learn to share!

She gives a short speech about how when most stars turn 21, they get up to some raucaus and embarrassing antics that they usually regret, but that when this gorgeous girl turned 21 and had her heart broken, she turned it into one of the most beautiful albums of the past year. It can only be - and is - Adele, who delivers a heartwrenching and hopeful rendition of "Someone Like You." Simply stunning.

Before they cut to an ad break, Jessie J is singing Firework. Not sure why, when K Perry was just on stage. Deprived.

9:07pm
Kim K - va va voom! - is on hand to reveal Best Male Video. The choice is tough, between 4 deserving contenders and then 1: Forget You (Cee-Lo Green), All of the Lights (Kanye), Grenade (Bruno Mars), Love the Way You Lie (Eminem), and U Smile (Biebs). Guess who wins. Yep, 12 year olds everywhere represent, yo' homeboy has done it and won it. I weep a little for the industry, and the future of music.

Biebs, however - never one to break a trend - goes one step further and thanks not only God, but Jesus too: "I won't be here without Him, he has truly blessed me." But apparently not me, or anyone with musical taste. It would seem Biebs is not in on the joke:

Joe Jonas (who doesn't appear to be aware this is a sort of a Big Deal, chose to rock up in a rather baffling and not-at-all working jeans and suit jacket combo) and Victoria Justice (WHOTF?) offer some (completely unnecessary and excessively flattering) praise of Chris Brown, who kicks off with his (frustratingly catching) Yeah x 3. This morphs into some very confusing blasts from the past (including Smells Like Teen Spirit) and then ends in "Beautiful People". There are some aerial acrobatics which aspire to be like Pink, but instead achieve the confusion and awkwardness of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. For some reason, there is a standing ovation.

9.20pm
~~Lady GaGa~~ Jo Calderone is back (appearing to imitate the Godfather, or at the very least someone from New Jersey) to talk about how GaGa was inspired by Britney - "I used to hang posters of her on my wall and touch myself when I was in bed." (To her credit, Britney looks greatly flattered by this.) As an icon and a legend, Brit scoops up the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. There is a fast-paced dance tribute, following which Brit steps on stage to accept the award. She looks properly pleased, but precedes to be properly awkward with Jo, as they size each other up as to whether they will go for a kiss. They do, but at the last Brit bails and says "I've done that already!"

I'm actually kind of happy for her, after all she's been through - and she deserves it, she's had an incredible influence on the industry. (Oh God. I hope the Biebs is not lining up for one of these in 10 years' time.) They segue to Beyonce, who they recognise and acknowledge as teh "triple threat" and DAMN IS SHE LOOKING FIERCE Y'ALL, in a fabulous purple sequined jacket, and totally rocking this number (Adele is rocking along with her in the audience). She announced that she is pregnant (OH GOD I'M SO HAPPY FOR HER SHE'S GOING TO BE SUCH A GREAT MOTHER!!!) by unbuttoning her jacket and rubbing her baby bump happily after the show (someone get her out of those killer heels pronto!!!) Cut to Jay-Z flipping out with happiness.

So apparently they're just cutting out Jessie J's performances with the ad breaks, so I only get to hear the first few lines of whatever's she going to sing...from what I gather she's covering most of the nominated songs...

9:36pm
Selena Gomez returns (looking less glam in a silver dress) with T Lautner who announce Best New Artist. I have to say the Best DRESSED New Artist definitely goes to Wiz Khalifa, who looks proper gangsta, complete with bling (worn ironically, of course). Defs my fave.

He turned up with Amber Rose. I guess she's not with Kanye anymore. This probably not news to anyone but me.

Anyway, the only one I knew, Tylor the Creator, wins! Apparently this is the biggest shindig this band has ever been too, since the lead dude is wearing a tye-died t-shirt, for heaven's sake, and one of his bandmates has his jeans around his knees. Good Lord. The hippie lead dude dedicates the win to his little brother Earl, yo, and has an inspiring message for all the young homies:

"To all the kids watching - you can do this shit...fuck the system."

Power to the people, y'all.

Zoe Saldana and Jared Leto come out to introduce a band who are so unheard of, they had to BYO fans. JOKES. Supposedly they are "emerging artists," which is just code for "you'll hear these guys once and never again. Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame bros!"

9.51pm
OMG it's the Jersey Shore again. Any more of this shit and I'm going to have to turn it off. This is NOT what I signed up for. They're messing around with some old woman who is not Betty White, so who cares who she is? Insert inappropriate and totally predictable jokes about sex, cue Best Female Video (seriously?? when you have nominees of this calibre, you let those Jersey Shore hos introduce them?? THEY ARE NOT WORTHY). With Adele, Katy Perry, Beyonce, Nicki M and Lady G all in the running, this could be anyone's horse, and I'd be happy for any of them to win. Well, less so Nicki, but I'd try. Maybs.

Lady GaGa wins for Born This Way; cut to KT looking genuinely happy for her, and wearing a cube. Still no cleavage. Seriously. WTF. Adele looks gracious and gorgeous, as expected. Jo Calderone accepts on Lady G's behalf, thanking her little monsters, and finishing by saying:

"It doesn't matter who you are -- gay, straight, lesbian, bi, transgendered -- you were born this way."

10:01pm
Russell Brand delivers an unexpectedly touching tribute to Amy Winehouse. He talks about first meeting her in London, when she was "daft, dopey, a little bit crazy...with a peculiar, unknowable talent." He compares her to Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, and talks about her talent, coupled cripplingly with her disease - alcoholism and drug addiction - and how so many people have this disease, but that these is a solution. Tony Bennett also came on the stage to testify to her gift, and shows part of the duet they recorded earlier this year. I've never been a huge fan of Amy, but she is AMAZING, ain't no ifs, ands or buts about it.

To acknowledge her incredible influence and impact, Bruno Mars is on hand to perform Valerie. An admittedly unexpected choice to do justice to Amy but what a babe! He certainly has the big hair going on and knows how to rock that suave 50s look. Excuse me while I swoon.

OK I'm back, and still tapping my feet to this fun, upbeat number. Man but he busts some pretty sweet moves! A lovely and fitting tribute that is a true celebration, not a commiseration, of her life.

10:17pm
So really the only reason I was watching the VMAs was to see the sneak preview of THE HUNGER GAMES movie ZOMG YOU GUYS HERE IT FINALLY IS.

Far too short obviously, but very exciting!! Will share my thoughts on the casting soon.

Katie Holmes gives a testament to all those nominated for Video of the Year (another too-close-to-call category - Adele, Katy Perry, Tyler the Creator, Bruno Mars, Beastie Boys) AND THE WINNER IS KATYYYYYYYY PERRYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! for Firework. WOOP WOOP WOOP.

One more time y'all, just for fun. You know you love it. (And if you don't, I don't care, because I do.)

She seems geniunely stoked to win her second moon man; "I feel like I am doing something right when I sing this song."

You and me both KT.

The show ends with Drake (he a WHITE DUDE? WHAAAAAT?) getting psyched about Lil Wayne, how prances around on stage and raps some. He takes off his shirt, revealing his pants to be halfway down his ass, and breaks a guitar. Both of these things seem completely unnecessary, but hey.

So ends another year at the VMAs!

x
JAG

Fun Fact

2011-08-29T15:36:00.000+10:00

I live right next to what must be the only discoteque for miles around here. Which means I party on all night to some of my favourite tunes, but all of them remind me of home. Right now David Guetta is ripping it up, trying to find the words to decribe this girl without being disrespectful yo. Which of course reminds me of the crazy fun times I had to the tune of these beats, hitting the d-floor with ma college peeps. Miss you homies!

x
JAG

The Feminist Test

2011-08-29T10:03:00.001+10:00

Read this and tell me you're NOT a feminist:

"Do the women’s liberationists want to be liberated from being women? No, they would say, they want to be liberated from society’s stereotypes of what women are supposed to be…. Some very interesting facts have been uncovered by scientists which feminists will have to treat very gingerly for they show that it is not merely society which determines how the sexes will behave.... The idea of matriarchy is mythical, I’ve learned, for not one that can be documented has ever existed. Doesn’t it seem strange that male dominance has been universal if it’s purely social conditioning? One would expect to see at least a few examples of societies where women rather than men held the positions of highest status....Isn’t it really much easier to believe that the feelings of men and women throughout history bear a direct relationship to some innate prerequisite?...It was God who made us different, and He did it on purpose. Recent scientific research is illuminating, and as has happened before, corroborates ancient truth which mankind has always recognized. God created male and female, the male to call forth, to lead, initiate and rule, and the female to respond, follow adapt, submit."

~ Elisabeth Elliot, Let Me Be a Woman, pages 58-59.

x
JAG (in disgust)

Just a Feminist

2011-08-29T07:58:00.002+10:00

I was over catching up with Trick Mirror when I saw she posted this fabulous comic:

A couple of years, Vini asked if I was a feminist. At the time, I hadn't even asked the question of myself, and so was a little taken aback by it - because it forced me to think, and consider my views on the topic, and how I wanted to label myself. It's a question that forced be to define my beliefs, and it's something I've been thinking about ever since. (I'm sure Vini thought it was a harmless question I already had the answer to, considering the strong views I voiced in the aforementioned blog post, but really it's a question I've been mulling over for two years now!)

Honestly? I was reluctant to call myself a feminist, I felt it was extreme and not a set of beliefs I fully subscribed to - because, let's face it, at that stage I was woefully ignornant of what it meant to be a feminist. I knew only the grossly exaggerated and misinterpreted media stereotypes, and Bitch magazine had lead me to believe that to the feminist criteria was: lesbian, man-hating, alternative, mainstream-rejecting, (now I love Bitch magazine and continue to read it out of interest, but damn if they're not extreme feminists!) and outspoken. Mainly though I lacked the confidence to declare myself a feminist.

But over time, as I read The First Stone, by Helen Garner, and talked more with my friends from college - N, E and S - not to mention my wonderful (and delightfully opinionated) TAD/OT friend G (whose knowledge of everything inspires equal parts awe and envy - our dinner dates often descend into passionate raging against the patriarchy, Republicans and Tony Abbott), and watched Made in Dagenham, and started seeing debates on whether there should be quotas for women on corporate boards, I realised that dammit, I am a feminist, and proud of it (really, you might as guessed as much from this post. I'm very subtle about it).

Scratch most feminists and underneath there is a woman who longs to be a sex object. The difference is that is not all she wants to be.

- Betty Rollin

As the comic above so wittily depicts, being a feminst does not mean you hate men; it means you're pro-women. It means you believe that women are equal to men, and should therefore receive the same rights. By this simple definition, more women are feminists than they may think because - as I alluded to two years ago - the image of a feminist has been horribly transfigured to the point of scaring women aware from the label rather than embracing it, creating infuriating, inaccurate, frustrating, extremist, fear-mongering but no doubt influential and iconic characteristics like this:

I listen to feminist and all these radical gals - most of them are failures. They've blown it. Some of them have married, but they married some Casper Milquetoast who asked permission to go to the bathroom. These women just need a man in the house. That's all they need. Most of the feminists need a man to tell them wheat time of day it is and to lead them home. And they blew it and they're made at all men. Feminists hate men. They're sexist. They hate men - that's their problem.

Jerry Falwell

[Feminism is] a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians.

Pat Robertson

OK, yes, admittedly these are two of the most radical anti-feminist men I could find but you see my point: feminists became the butt of all jokes in society about man-hating lesbians.

I had a discussion with A about this last year, in which I declared myself a feminist, and she said she wouldn't, because she didn't think she needed it; she didn't the rights of women needed to be advanced further, and she felt we'd reached a fairly equal point in society. Granted, we've come a long way, but I will not be satisfied until women earn the same as men (I believe they currently only earn about 75% to the dollar of what a man earns); until there are as many women on corporate boards as there are men; until they allow women to fight on the front line (and I'm happy for them to have to meet the same requirements as men); until rape is an issue that blames and condemns the culprit, not the victim; until forced prostitution is a thing of the past; until girls around the world are recognised for the power and value they can contribute to society. "How good does a female athlete have to be before we just call her an athlete?"

After all, "feminism is the radical notion that women are people" - Cheris Kramarae and Paula Treichler.

x
JA(Feminist)G

Disney Fanboys and Real Princesses

2011-08-28T13:13:00.001+10:00

So it turned out, over lunch at the Baldi Hot Springs two weekends ago, that one of the guys in my group of volunteering friends (there are four of us including me - another girl working at the same school as me, and two guys working at a school in a smaller village about 10min away) is a massive Disney fanboy. I can't remember how the conversation started - we were talking about Disney Land and Disney World, I think - when he asked "so what are your top 3 Disney movies?" Off the top of my head, I answered:

Mulan
Beauty and the Beast
Aladdin

Of course the Little Mermaid and the Lion King would also definitely make top 5, but this is a strictly Disney list. None of this Disney/Pixar business, because they are in two very different leagues, my friends - like comparing apples and oranges. AMAZING DELICIOUS fruits, but two different kinds of fruit nonetheless.

In any case, let me justify my choices. What sets these 3 films apart for me is their fierce heroines. These women aren't wimpy princesses who wait around all day for a prince (think: Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, et al) - although I would also include Ariel and Pocahontas in this category. These are women who don't stop at dreaming, but actually actively pursue these goals. And what I really like about these women is that their lives don't revolve around men. They can be just as strong without them. They're not waiting for true love's first kiss - they want adventure. They demonstrate courage, confidence and charisma - they are women who know who to stand up to and defy the patriarchal society in which they are prove they need not - and indeed can not - be condemned.

Mulan is by far my all time favourite Disney films, mainly because I watch it and feel proud to be a woman. Yes, it makes my feminist heart happy. Mulan is funny, smart, sassy, bold, fiercely loyal and doesn't pine for a man in her life. She doesn't think twice about making sacrifices for the ones she loves, or to do what is right. She is a heroine to admire and aspire to be.

Belle is probably a close second, because I can relate to her - off in her own world, a day-dreamer, a book lover. Belle, too, is someone who won't settle, who makes up her own mind, sets stock in her own opinion, sees through the facade of others (see: Gaston), doesn't judge people by their appearances (see: the Beast), is selfless, kind, and wants to believe the best in people.

Really I love Aladdin for the genie and his musical numbers, but also because Aladdin himself is a total babe, and yes, Jasmine is a fiesty symbol of awesome. She will not marry for anything less than love, and takes it into her own hands to find it.

Actually Tatiana would be 4th on my list of favourite Disney heroines, because there's a girl who is working towards her dream. She's made of stern stuff, and knows what is needed to make her dreams come true.

What makes me sad though is the prevalence of Disney at the school I'm working at here in La Fortuna. They have the Princess pencil cases and stickers and bags. Now hear me out, because clearly I'm a fangirl and certainly not above these things. But what I truly hope is that they can weed out the weaker princesses; that they don't aspire to be Snow White, and wait around, dreaming of their Prince, but they try to be Ariel, who knows what she wants and goes after it. I worry about how Snow White and Cinderella and Aurora influence young children, because they are the "true" Disney Princesses, and therefore the most often/typically portrayed, but thankfully Jasmine, Belle and Ariel are there to balance them out and offer themselves as the embodiment of Walt Disney's quote (one I try to live by):

I would also argue that being a Princess is not about a title, it's about character, which is why the definition of Disney Princess is usually extended to include Mulan, Pocahontas, Tatiana, etc.

So: your top 3 Disney films?

x
JAG

[All pictures from thedisneyprincess.tumblr.com, except the Walt Disney quote, which is from heartdisney.tumblr.com]

Shirtless (or Singing) + Shameless = Saucy Saturday

2011-08-28T08:41:00.003+10:00

Not that I need alliteration as an excuse to perv (though I'm sure I could come up with some justifiable adjective for every day of the week...) but I was blog-surfing today, and thought I'd share. When they look like this, it's only fair.

Mmm...he can put the moves on me any time! ;) For 26 more shirtless photos of those gorgeous Glee guys (who's excited for September 20?!), click here.

Now, I've often been ridiculed for my less-than-subtle crush on Rafa, but look at these photos and tell me that's not a sexy Spainiard, right there. Well ¡hola!

[Source]

And now, for the epic finale...Joseph Gordon-Levitt singing. Yes, this is probably the best thing you will ever see. Prepare yourself for awesomeness (swear to God he has the deepest, sexiest voice ever. Dare you to disagree.)

Now, I know y'all are like "but JAG, what are you doing INDOORS perving when all the shirtless Spanish boys are RIGHT OUTSIDE on this gloriously sunny day??" Lemme tell you this: sadly they do not idly roam the streets for my aesthetic appreciation, although I did enjoy the view at the Baldi Springs a couple of weeks ago. Sadly, two of my volunteering friends left today to fly home tomorrow - I'll miss this terribly, and nearly cried after I waved them off at the bus station today - and it's nearly too hot to function. Don't you worry - this weekend is one of my few allocated weekends for relaxing La Fortuna. I'm planning to get to several beaches and see the splendid shirtless sights :D

(for more man admiration, see here, here and here. Shirtlessness not guaranteed, but beware swooming.)

x
JAG

Sex and Fury

2011-08-27T11:56:00.003+10:00

We hear constantly about men in trouble over sex. Men in trouble for not keeping their trousers zipped, for groping and harassing women, men caught out looking at pornography, or gazing at women in the wrong way. But what we never hear about is men's restraint, the remarkable stoicism of current generations of heterosexual men who cop it sweet, despite their immense frustrations.

Lust for Life, Bettina Arndt

Yes, because men should be congratulated for being faithful, and it's completely unheard of for a woman to have a voracious sexual appetite.

Men may only have one thing on their mind (of course I wouldn't know), and may have to put up with more testosterone, therefore biologically (apparently) having a bigger libido, but that certainly does NOT justify infidelity, or give them any right to pressure women into sex. A man may have ~~needs~~wants, but it is not a woman's obligation - even (especially!) if she is his wife or partner - to fill them.

Sure, a man has a right to ask, and certainly I agree that men and women in relationships need to have more discussions about this. But if a woman claimed she had "needs," would this ever be considered a justifiable reason for looking elsewhere? Of course not; she'd be considered a cheater and a slut to boot.

Honestly, I think a long history of men being in control and therefore getting what they want (when they want it) has led to a general expectation of sex being a right in a relationship - and if you're not getting it in the relationship, then understandably, you should be looking elsewhere.

Now obviously I don't believe that all men think like this - and I actually believe that probably more women want more sex than are admitting it - or at least want better sex. But I'm sick of the idea (and excuse) that "men have needs" and somehow can't be monogamos - or, if they are, according to Arndt they should be lauded for this act of great restraint. Clearly we're at an impasse in terms of attitudes towards sex, but it is simply not enough to give up on the discussion and say "women will never understand (us) men, they can't fathom our all-consuming needs and desires," or that it is a man's duty to be monogamos. A man does not have to be monogamos - but I expect him to be if he has entered into a relationship fully aware of that understanding.

Clearly I have no practical experience in this area, but being (for the most part) the last virgin in a big group of girlfriends - I've heard all about wants and needs.

I know the majority of my readership is female, and this is an age-old debate, but it simply infuriates me. Thoughts?

x
JAG

Top 5 Friends

2011-08-25T14:27:00.003+10:00

Just kidding you guys, as if I would ever rank my friends!! Mainly because I am truly blessed with the loveliest friends in the world :) however this is a ~~toast~~ I mean post in honor of some very dear friends who did some super gorgeous things for me before I left. They are listed in no order.

K - thank you for staying the night of my going away party, you've no idea how reassuring you were when I was stressing out the day before I left and had something of a mini-meltdown about all the Oaktree work I hadn't done and was leaving guiltily behind for others to finish. Thank you for staying up late and talking with me, for hanging out and chilling with me, for all the advice, for just listening while I rambled about my unfounded fears, and mostly moaned about The Boy. I'm sorry I ditched you for breakfast that morning, but I hope enjoyed my humble (and futile!) attempts at recreating your incredible breakfast artistry.

B - thank you for being such a dear and continually insisting on sharing my workload, right up until the last. Thank you for your gorgeous and constant words of support, not to mention your incredibly thoughtful actions - thank you to you and K for your beautiful going away gift, it was perfect and totally essential! Every item serves me fabulously, and reminds me of you both. Your sincere happiness for me, coupled with our frequent chatting sessions, in which you continually tell me how much I deserve this, do wonders for my spirits and fortify my optimism. You really are too kind for words, and I love that distance doesn't lessen this in the slightest.

G - thank you for your euros, for your beautiful card, for making time to come to my farewell dinner, for making me dinner before I left - I know well how extremely, ridiculously busy you are, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking time out of your insanely hectic schedule to just hang out with me (which we all know is very unproductive).

A and E - thank you for your charming, wonderful and sweet send off at the airport! E it was so nice of you to offer to drive me to the airport, considering we had to leave at 7am, and A you were a delightful surprise! I don't think you really knew how truly stressed I was, about the Oaktree work I hadn't been able to finish, and considering I hadn't had any sleep, I was something of a mess. I wasn't excited about the trip in the slightest - mentally I wasn't even prepared for it - but thanks to breakfast with you, calls from Gemini and Sara, your incredibly beautiful tokens of friendship and love, which of course I have treasured, and was truly touched by it, not to mention your hilarious (and shameless!) rendition of "I Will Always Love You" and your cheer as I walked through to the international terminal, helped lift my spirits and remind me of the incredible future I had to look forward to. By the time I'd left you - sadly, of course, and with difficulty - I was actually happy to be leaving the country, not miserable and hassled as I was when I started the drive to the airport. I can not tell you how grateful I am for this.

And of course a massive and heartfelt thank you to everyone who came to my going-away party - unfortunately, much like my 21st, I didn't get half as much a chance as I would have liked to catch up with any of you properly, but it meant so very much to me that you came, and it was so fabulous to see you before I left. It was a fantastic night, so thank you for more happy memories to carry me through my time away until I see you again!

Seriously. I don't know where I would be without any of you guys. I love and miss you all so very much.

JAG

Technophobia

2011-08-25T13:52:00.002+10:00

Since I have been actively blogging for more than 4 years, it is well established that I am closer to technophillic (or techno-addict, as my dad is fond of phrasing it) than technophobe. But I am fearful of our relationship with and apparent dependence on technology in the future. More specifically, I'm worried about our children - well, mostly mine, let's be honest - and how they're going to grow up surrounded by it all.

I think I've mentioned before on this blog how ridiculously au fait my young cousins are with technology, particularly my cousin H, who from the age of 4 can handle anything from a Nintendo DS to an iPhone to an xBox with incredible ease, as if he were born with it in his hands. I get it - he's generation Z (anyone born after 1995), the kids who grew up with computers, and can't remember a time without it. It frightens me how adept H is at such a young age, when he should be (and is, thankfully) playing with trucks and lego and getting dirty, not killing robots on a video screen.

Several years ago now - and I mean it, it was 2008, how long ago it feels! Such a different blog it was... - I posted this video. And it's statistics like this that scare me:

I don't doubt that the mobile phone will be the world's primary connection tool in 2020 (isn't it already 80% of the way there?)

Even more disturbing are the trends it is producing and the resulting lifestyle that is being shaped:

Don't get me wrong - I'm incredibly grateful for the technology that allows me to be hundreds of miles away from home and still feel like I'm not missing a thing, thanks to Facebook, my iPhone, wifi, Skype, etc. But I don't want this technology to go into my bloodstream! Although I think - metaphorically - it already has...and this alarms me most, this reliance on technology for communication on every level...we joke about how "if it's not on Facebook, it's not happening," but to what extent will this be true in the future? H's oldest sister, L, has facebook, and she's only in year 7! My host brother here in Costa Rica, who's still in primary school, has a cell phone! Who needs one, when you see your friends at school every day, and everyone has a land line? I remember well the days when we actually SENT chain letters by snail mail - not of this forwarding emails or posting on Facebook crap!

I don't want to sound preachy - after all, doesn't every generation feel that their childhood was the most pure and innocent, and all those with the misfortune to be raised after it will never be so lucky - but I sometimes wonder if technology isn't, well, ruining our children.

I've discussed before the paradoxical nature of technology and communication, in that it is intended to enhance connection and relationships, but in reality doesn't it just isolate us further? Sure, it's fabulous for me when I'm so far away, because thanks to Facebook, skype, email, my iPhone and wifi, it feels like I never left. I still feel included and part of my friends' lives, and I'm so grateful (it was a big fear for me, that I would just miss a huge 5 month chunk of their lives, and our relationship would be all the more ignorant and gaping for it). But when we're all in the same city, how often do you look at a Facebook event and not feel committed to go, instead sending a text or Facebook message by way of apology? How often are you late to meet your friends because you know if you miss the train, you can always text to explain? I know I'm guilty of this.

I don't want my children to be glued to the computer screen. In fact, I don't want them to have electronics before a certain age. And honestly, that kind of parenting seems a little unfeasible - not to mention unreasonable - the way the world is going. I don't want to push my kids around in a stroller while they're playing with some app on my phone, or a game on their device - I want them to get sandy and muddy and dirty in the real world. I want them to have reality, not a virtual life.

I know I'm 21 and this is all insanely premature, considering I don't plan to start a family until I'm in my 30s (or, ok, whenever the time is right - which I'm predicting right now will be in my 30s!) but I don't think it's unfounded. I just don't want a future where I have to text my children to come to the dinner table.

x
JAG

Let's got to my nursery you guys!

2011-08-24T12:37:00.003+10:00

Ever since his wise words penetrated my thick haze of self pity, I have loved - or, more accurately, LOL'd long and hard at - Luon. Here he delivers my thoughts exactly on Rebecca Black, only more to the point, and with better dance. Warning: you may lizz.

x
JAG

How Australian I Am

2011-08-22T14:27:00.005+10:00

I didn't quite realise how much I love the beach until we finally went this weekend. I've always enjoyed the beach - basking in the sunshine, frolicking in the waves, getting dumped, being reminded by seashells of the beauty of small things, following (and pestering) crabs, feeling like you have no cares so big as the ocean, that nothing can truly be wrong when the world is so big - but never considered myself a beach girl. I'm not bleached-blonde or tan, I don't surf, thongs (or as I'm constantly chided by my American and English friends, "flip flops") are not part of my usual footwear, I don't live in my bikini.

In all honesty I could never live by the beach - it is merely a holiday destination - but I discovered in Manuel Antonio that apparently my history with the beach has left a resounding impression, soaking under my skin while I wasn't looking (too busy splashing around), so much so that when I took a walk along the beach in the gentle drizzle, when I first put my toe to the rough, reassuring sand and inhaled the sweet, salty air, it was like coming home. I realised that I had missed the beach. That I crave the feel of sand under my feet, wading in the waves, discovering all manner of treasures the ocean has offered.

This beach is definitely to blame. I've been coming here practically every other year after Christmas for NYE - and I'm really looking forward to going again this year!

Travelling on my own has helped me form a better sense of what it means to me to be Australian. I've long adored travelling, felt the need to pursue adventures in new and exciting places, in what is likely a desperate bid to satiate my impossibly curiosity about everything. But now I've come to understand more acutely exactly what it is I truly love about travelling; I love meeting other people (mostly Canadians so far!), the immediate and transient friendships you form based on shared situations, the comraderie, the freedom and independence to explore, the self-reliance, the possibilities, the chances you take, the glimpses snatched into another country, another culture, another way of life. I'm proud to tell people I'm Australian, and love how it defines me, the expectations it entails: fun loving, happy go lucky, easy going, carefree, outdoorsy, quick to a joke and a laugh, great sense of humour, opinionated, up for anything. I think I fit the bill.

x
J(ust an Australian)G(irl)

After all these years...

2011-08-17T13:18:00.004+10:00

OMG YOU GUYS I AM GOING TO SEE* THE GIRL OF MY ~~DREAMS~~ EMAILS!!!!!!!! Yes you read that right, we are FINALLY GOING TO BE IN THE SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME!!

I know you're thinking OMG NO WAY, this cannot be true, it's just physically impossible for the world to handle the combined awesomeness of these two people IN THE SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME!!! Mark your calendars for December 2nd, THE WORLD IS GONNA END!!!

Ahahaha. Indulge my exciting delusions will you, because I'M FINALLY GOING TO SEE SHARANYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes you read me, WE WILL BE SEEING EACH OTHER IN THE FLESH on December 2nd in London, THIS YEAR. That's, like, 3.5 short months away!!!!

And fear not, the world is not going to implode, we're just going to test its limits, because sadly we only have a short amount of time together - mere hours, not days as planned - BUT this is because she is too busy being a fabulous intern at the Indian version of Vanity Fair/New Yorker/Paris Review. It's the height of journalism. AND the extreme sweetheart is flying back to London ASAP to see me!!

So basically I'm freaking out with excitement. OMG you guys I cannot WAIT!!!!

x
JAG

*I refuse to say meet. We've been fast and fantastic friends for nearly three years now - this is just further validation :D

Not homesick but...

2011-08-17T13:13:00.003+10:00

I just want to talk to my parents!! I haven't spoken to them for more than 2 weeks now, since I left Alajuela and came to La Fortuna, and I do believe that's the longest amount of time that's ever passed when I haven't spoken to them, actually, physically spoken to them (since year 9, when there were no phones...) We've been trying to Skype, but somehow between our two connections it fails, so we chat instead, which is great (and impressively tech-savvy for my parentals! They remain amused by all my emoticon additions) but not the same. Tonight I tried every pay phone in La Fortuna (that I could find around the city centre) to use my phone card, which EVERY phone said I could use, but to no avail (my family's phone needs to be fixed.)

To be honest, I don't really miss home - to be sure, I miss my friends, I hate seeing their FB statuses about the fun they're having that I'm missing out on, I miss my family and being able to see my grandma while she's in Australia, and my cousins, who visited just after I left - but I haven't had that ache for home, the feeling that nothing is quite as comfortable as your own bed, nothing so secure as your own roof, that you cannot truly enjoy anything whilst being away from this place (having been to boarding school, I am all too familiar with this feeling). I am sure this feeling will come, I have no doubt I'll experience travel fatigue and long for home - probably after I leave Costa Rica and begin my high speed tour of Panama-Ecuador-Peru-England-Norway-Paris-Spain with barely time to catch my breath and enjoy the view. In the meantime, I would really kill for a piece of vegemite toast, to be perfectly honest. They serve toast here buttered, which is my second favourite way to eat toast (ok third, after buttered and covered in Milo), but as they say, nothing quite beats a first love.

In any case, I am truly loving life here, and very happy - more than happy, contented, wholly satisfied, which I think goes deeper than just happiness. But I would really like to be able to talk to my parents!

x
JAG

[EDIT: it turns out that, silly me, I was using the phones wrong - to be fair, you had to dial an extra number which was not explained anywhere - so I got through to my dad this morning and spoke to him for 10 wonderful minutes before my phone card ran out. Success!]

Still feels surreal!

2011-08-15T00:48:00.001+10:00

I pinch myself, and I'm still here, surrounded by people who smile even as I massacre their language, and children who will hug me even if they don't know me (but usually more if they do.)

And I'm going to be here for another 2.5 months. Life is fabulous.

x
JAG

Chick Flicks that BITE

2011-08-11T12:39:00.003+10:00

If there are two films you must see in the immediate future, it's these:

I saw this movie with A and laughed SO DAMN HARD. I will admit, when another friend first asked me if I wanted to see it, I thought "sure, I'm up for some mindless chick flicky fluff." But this movie has SASS. Damn, is it bitchy!! Sure, it's been compared to the Hangover for girls, but I would argue it's more than that. It's certainly got the crude element down (think the scene in the bridal gown store) but it's also got issues behind it, real emotion - women competing with each other, backstabbing, friendship, denial, love, insecurity, despair, losing your job, debt, hitting a rut in your life, doubt, fears about commitment - this is not a deep movie by any stretch of the imagination, but it certainly throws these things out there for the characters to deal with. Kristen Wiig is absolutely fabulous, an uproarious delight, and the guy from the IT Crowd is actually pretty cute. Throw in a couple of people from Little Britain, being their weirdest, plus Rose Byrne at her bitchiest and snobbiest, and you've got yourself a snappy, fast-paced, hilarious movie. 4 stars for sheer enjoyment.

So I know it took me able a year longer than everyone else to discover Easy A, but I've been wanting to see this with A ever since it came out. Somehow she managed to see it 3 times before I did, but we finally managed to watch it together a couple of weeks ago. I loved it so much I insisted a friend of mine from work watch it with me about a week later. Emma Stone is a complete BABE, not to mention an amazing actress. My god I love that girl - it's fair to say I have something of an epic girl crush on her! Watch this movie and you'll believe it. Loosely based around the idea of the Scarlett Letter - except that Olive hasn't actually slept with anybody, she only said she did. Scandal, outrage, social isolation and exclusion ensue, led largely by the holier-than-thou Marianne (the gorgeous and talented Amanda Bynes) before Olive fights back to reclaim her reputation. This is a clever and incredibly funny script, delivered to perfection (and with a lot of fun!) by Stone, backed by the very able Stanley Tucci and Lisa Kudrow, and the very yummy (several excellent topless scenes!) Penn Badgley. It's nice to see a film that is able to be so tongue-in-cheek (Olive's relationship with her parents is clearly ridiculous) without sacrificing on smarts, and all the while referencing some pretty high-end literature (Hawthorne - I mean that's some pretty dense, Puritanical-preaching prose!).

Seriously. Go away, stop reading my blog, and watch these movies if you want more than just mindless entertainment!

x
JAG

JAG, BA

2011-08-11T12:00:00.002+10:00

When I graduated, my mother made me this gorgeous chocolate bouquet, and that little blue robe for the bear - she even made sure it was the right shade of blue to match my gown! :)

I graduated with A, one of my closest friends from college - which was super lucky, not to mention all kinds of wonderful, because I had to apply to change my graduation date as the only day I was available was the day before I flew out to Hawaii! I'm so glad we got to graduate together - it was a fitting end to our undergraduate career together :D Sadly we didn't get to wear hats (MU wants to be fancy like Oxford, and consider us not worthy until we have completed postgrad study), but we looked pretty fabulous all the same!

Honestly, the ceremony wasn't a big deal - it was just in Wilson Hall on campus (wish it had been in the REB - much prettier!) and I was struggling to stay awake the whole time (can't remember why I'd been up all night before!) - the Valedictory speaker was, let's be honest, kind of boring, and I was super nervous about the whole ceremony of it, nodding to all the important people (Chancellor, Academic Dean, etc etc) plus trying not to fall over in my heels! All in all a success - I didn't fall over or down the stairs, and I managed to look pretty good in my grad photos! Success. It was also a gorgeous, sunny, warm day in mid-December. However, the Dean did manage to epically fail in pronouncing my name - not only my last name (which I expected - the spelling is deceptive!) but also somehow managed to desecrate my first name (it's not an unusual, rare or uncommon name, or spelled differently!) and call me something else entirely. Pretty funny though!

Also graduated with a girl from work, which was lovely - and a friend from home, who I went to primary school with, and then boarding school. It seems we just keep graduating together!
x
JAG

Sneak Peek (La Fortuna)

2011-08-06T15:29:00.001+10:00

So this is the view of the Volcan Arenal from Parque Central here in La Fortuna. Taken yesterday, which was a beautiful clear day. Usually it's quite overcast, and you can't make out the peak. It's still a very active volcano but mostly puffs out little bursts of white smoke and steam, like an old man with his pipe. Sadly no spectacular displays of lava - yet! We're going to hike it (and hang out in the hot springs) next weekend.

I can't quite see it from my house, but I can as soon as I'm on my way to school.

x
JAG

BOLD

2011-08-05T22:44:00.005+10:00

Saw this on FB. Hilarious!

A couple of days after I arrived in San Jose, I realised that, for the next six months, I'm - for want of a better phrase - at peace with being single for the next 6 months. BELIEVE IT. I've accepted it, and I'm OK with it - I'm actually happy about it, because I'm footloose and fancy free! I haven't left anyone at home, and I'm realistic enough to know (and not deluded enough to expect) that I'm not going to meet anyone on this trip - not long enough for a meaningful relationship, but so what? I'm going to have the most fabulous time. I realised: it doesn't matter.

And yes friends, I know it's taken me some years to come to that conclusion, but it's something that had been eating away at me, especially before and after I turned 21. Because who thinks they're going to be that old and never been kissed, or had a proper boyfriend? But although this makes me feel naive, inexperienced, completely in the dark and sometimes immature, I try to keep perspective: I'm still very, very young and have so much life ahead of me.

So anyway, I had my Eat Pray Love moment about how I'm better off single, how the next 5 months are all about me and I'm going to enjoy it, and then I had to go and have a super lovely, very vivid (and totally non-sexual people!) dream about that boy I like back home. Goddammit. I figured this would be the perfect way to forget about him, since I've been mooning over him for months before I left (new boy - what a surprise! - not either of the these guys). Anyway he was away for three weeks before I left, but we had breakfast the day before I flew out, which was really nice (his hair was grown out, and he looked soooooo cute) and that was supposed to be the end of it. But no - last night I dreamt that we were in Melbourne (but as is the surreal nature of dreams, it didn't look like Melbourne), walking around late at night - the pretext is kind of funny, I think we were on our way home but I left my purse somewhere, which we went back to find, except we couldn't - because of course it turned out that I'd had it the whole time! (Sadly, a fairly true-to-life scenario, as exhibited by this occurance at work: I left my scarf at work one night and come back the next day but can't find it. I was told all the clothes/lost property was thrown out. My amazing manager helped me look through the dumpters out the back, to no avail. Cue me finding the scarf in my locker, where I'd asked another manager to put it the night before when I left. Fact. Major shame = major LOLs!)

ANYWAY it was one of those really intense, feels-like-life, warm-contented-cocoon dreams - it was kind of flirty, and it felt like he liked me back. Do you know how hard that is to wake up from?

Ugh. Stupid boys. Ha ha.

But never fear my friends, in spite of my subconscious teasing me I am having the time of my life here in Costa Rica! Expect less about me and more actually about this gorgeous country after the weekend - I'm off to Monteverde, bitches! Cloud Forest, here I come!

JAG

BOOKED: Hola, Costa Rica! Un mes mas!

2011-07-01T11:57:00.013+10:00

LE PLAN:
July 28: Melbourne to San Jose, Costa Rica

[3 months, La Fortuna]

San Jose --> Panama [6 days]

Panama City --> Quito, Ecuador (November)

Quito --> Lima, Peru [tour - 20 days]

Machu Picchu [tour - 8 days]

Lima --> London (December) [5 days]

London --> Trondheim [staying with a friend on exchange - 5 days]

Trondheim --> Paris [staying with another friend on exchange on Lyon - 4 days]

Paris --> Madrid [Spain by train with the family for 10 days or so]

--> HOME just before Christmas

x
JAG

The Royal Blah Blah Blah

2011-04-27T22:24:00.005+10:00

I'll admit, when all this "WILL AND KATE ARE GETTING ENGAGED ZOMGGGGGGGGG" hoopla started, I couldn't have cared less. I thought it was overrated, excessive, outdated, and, quite frankly, no big deal (I may well have needed a "Royal Wedding sick bag.") I still won't be avidly fixed to the TV this Friday, but I'll confess, my romantic heart-strings are singing just a little softly right now - mainly because, well, it's lovely for Will to have found someone who loves him for him. I can't imagine how difficult it must be, to be him, particularly when it comes to meeting people, making friends - falling in love.

It's the curse of anyone with fame (the more famed you are, the more cursed) - what I imagine to be a difficult in trusting the way people interact with you. It must be so hard to make sincere friends and build honest relationships.

But think how awful it must be for Kate - to be so scrutinised, to be constantly compared to Diana, to be humiliated on the front page of every paper, to be photographed everywhere you go - never a quiet or private moment for you or your family, every activity commented on your, your entire life 'fair game' for public consumption.

Of course that's what a relationship with a Royal must involve, and Kate would have had an inkling of what she was in for, but it doesn't make it any easier. That must be some kind of love.

I'm really happy for them both. But I wonder if Australia will still be a monarchy by the time they ascend to the throne? A friend of mine recently proposed that they thought Charles would adjudicate if/when his mother dies. Thoughts?

JAG

Dear Sara

2011-04-26T16:16:00.012+10:00

You just turned 21 (!) and I gave a speech – affectionately teasing, but perhaps a little long on the embarrassment and short on the love. So here’s a little letter just to show how much you mean to me.

I’ve known you for 7 years now. 7 years! A third of your life (currently). You’re one of my oldest, nearest, dearest and closest friends – you and Gemini. I meant what I said in my speech – when I was 13, I never could have imagined how far we’d come, the semi-nekkid stunts we’d pull, the things we’d achieve, the wild parties we’d attend, the fun times we’d have, how much you’d inspire and encourage me, the amount of support you’d always provide, the trust I could, without question, place in you.

Back then, we were quiet (hard to believe), shy and super-nerdy (what’s changed eh?). I was extremely introverted, painfully polite, and incredibly homesick. I was never what you’d call popular, and in such a new and intimidating environment (a place so far from home, and so cut off – no phones, no internet) could not easily imagine making friends. On top of all that, there was the strenuous outdoors program – hiking, skiing, running – and those first few weeks were a struggle.

But slowly, surely – as we sat next to each other in Maths class, as we continued to be the only students in our set who did their homework, as we monologue through English and panted through PE, as we got lost on knolls and pushed ourselves, breathless, over the finish line – together – I came to rely on you. When I felt like I didn’t – couldn’t – fit in, you showed me that it didn’t matter – that there were two of us (don’t tell! They’d banish us you know!) You have been a huge part of helping me be OK with who I am – with being proud of who I am. The shaping of who I am today – it all started in year 9, and in large part thanks to you.

I’ll never forget – you, me, K, G hiking together in fourth term (the perfect – and always my favourite – hike group). Wear Sunscreen. Crossies and skiing tests and that time you dropped my hedgehog on the floor (only to replace it later with a Time Out). Miggers and tenting together and “pain is good.” Orienteering (read: getting lost) and Cross Cut Saw and poetry. I couldn’t have done it without you by my side – a friend I knew I could tell anything to, who wouldn’t judge me, who would tell give me her honest opinion and probably be able to relate.

It’s hard to explain just how much you mean to me without lending myself to clichés (something Mr H would never allow) but – I’ve always felt like you’re my other half (the smarter, more out-going, more daring, more ambitious half), always pushing me to greater heights. After you left – well, that was hard. I only had a handful of close friends with me who were staying on. But Gemini came back, and you stayed in touch. I will always be so, so grateful to you for many things – for being so much more than a friend – but always terrifically thankful that we stayed in touch – sporadic catch-ups in Melbourne, long email conversations, blogging, then Facebook. I like to think it bodes well for our future apart, when you’ll be off saving the world from economic disasters, and I’ll be who knows where, but I think we’ve proved distance ain’t got nothing on us. When we caught up again at uni, it was like we’d never been separated – except for the fact that you were noticeably louder, more confident, and liked a good pub crawl :) And we’ve never looked back.

Over the years, we’ve started adjudicating together, partying together, going to America (true to form, never at the same time), confiding about boys, arguing over politics, going to movies, reluctantly dress-shopping, partaking of chocolate as often as possible, dreaming large, studying hard (wait what?!), staying over (it only took 3 years), getting lost (still), hoping against hope, and looking out for each other. I can't think of a time when I've ever been truly mad at you - except for that time with the hedgehog (and maybe that one time with the boy at 3am...but hey, after some sleep, I got over it.)

I’m unbelievably proud, beyond honoured and so very, very lucky to count you as one of my closest friends, and I’m counting on the fact that I always will be. Thank you, Sara, for being a beautiful, thoughtful, loyal, trustworthy, sincere, frank, heartfelt, comforting, friend. My future is always bright while you are in it.

I love you.

JAG

That Fearful Friend, Doubt

2011-03-16T23:38:00.003+11:00

Now that I've been thrust out into the real world with no experience or qualifications to speak of - or at least working casually alongside people who actually venture out into the real world - I worry that I've done a dead-end degree which hasn't prepared me for any industry and basically renders me a useless, unskilled graduate. What the hell was I thinking? An Arts degree is clearly a luxury, and a waste of three years. Imagine what I could have been doing in that time - something more career-oriented, I'm sure.

Which is why I'm going to be doing a Masters in Something-or-Other next year.

JAG

FUTURE MUZIK

2011-03-13T12:26:00.004+11:00

T minus 2 hours. Let's party on into the night mofos. Can't wait.
#myfirstfestival.
x
JAG

What a great year for lesbians!

2011-02-28T12:54:00.037+11:00

I'm going to try my hand at this live-blogging thing. SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS. (everybody else, start reading from the bottom.)

4:00pm:

I now have an insane insatiable desire to watch the Social Network, and a competing need to watch The Princess Diaries, because I am currently reading the book.

3:39pm:

There's a fairly sweet performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow from some young school kids from Staten Island. That's nice.

3:32pm:

Steven Spielberg reminds us that many great films - such as Grapes of Wrath and the Graduate - did not win Best Picture. A beautiful montage is played to the sound of Firth's final speech and it is insanely fitting.

Oh God. I really can't decide who I want to win. Remember last year when we had filler nominations like Avatar and District 9, well this year, none of these films didn't belong here. If that makes sense. They're all just so amazing-

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO THE KING'S SPEECH!!!!!!!! 12 nominations, 4 wins (best screenplay, best director, best actor and best picture).

And the music starts before even two of them have finished...they're really trying to rush them! Only three got to speak! Gee thanks for letting them appreciate the moment Academy!

TBH, I'm not sure how I feel about this...I was sitting here trying to decide who I wanted to win (indecisive as always) and as soon as The King's Speech was announced I felt, well, disappointed. Don't get me wrong - I LOVED the film, who didn't? But I guess I just feel that films like Winters Bone (which never really stood a chance), True Grit, 127 Hours, The Fighter, The Black Swan are just better, and I'm trying to figure out why I think so. I think it's because as a cinematic experience goes, these films leave a lasting imprint about the human condition (and that's what truly great films are made of) - yes, The King's Speech obviously speaks to us (pun intended) in the same way, about resilience, doubt, family, and friendship but I guess those gritty, more intense, darker, morbid films leave more of an impression. The King's Speech (obviously more powerful because it's based on a true story) feels similar to when Slumdog won - the Academy loves a feel-good story because, yes, it makes you feel happy. The King's Speech renews your optimism in life. But I feel like a more complex film that challenges us and changes our perception (consider how the Black Swan has become a major talking point - no one comes out of that film feeling the same way as they went in) should be given the credit it deserves.

3:19pm:

Anne's first stumble as she introduces Sandra Bullock. She says "hola" to Javier Bardem (Biutiful), asks Jeff Bridges to give someone else a chance to win Best Actor, tells Jesse Eisenberg she's waiting for his friend request on Facebook, waves at Colin Firth, the only man who could have done justice to such a story, and who could have performed it to the Queen's liking (he tries his very hardest not to look smug), and reminds James he's the number 1 reason kids get picked up late from school - their mothers are watching General Hospital. Damn he is looking FINE and HUMBLE.

OH GOD WHO WILL IT BE WHO WILL IT BE???

TELL US SANDRA!

COLIN FIRTH! King's Speech take the lead and ties with Inception at 3 Oscars each. Social Network falls behind with 2. It's a very close horse race everyone. Colin confesses "I have a feeling my career's just peaked." He struggles on the verge of tears, but manages not to spill. Bravo Colin, bravo.

3:12pm:

Jeff Bridges pay a sincere compliment (with his beautiful gruff intonation) to each of the Best Actress nominations.

Annette Bening - The Kids Are Alright - god she was fantastic!

Nicole Kidman - Rabbit Hole - probably is her best and most tear-jerking performance to date

Jennifer Lawrence - Winters Bone - what an incredible, intense, awe-inspiring acting debut

Natalie Portman - Black Swan - this film is just too much for words. Natalie is just divine.

Michelle Williams - Blue Valentine - what a raw performance.

They're all mind-blowing - it really could be any of them!

But it's NATALIE PORTMAN - finally Black Swan wins!!!! And she gets the biggest cheer of all so far. LOOK SHE'S SO LOVELY AND PREGNANT. "This is insane!" She's weeping. Blame the hormones.

I notice that they don't DARE play any music over Natalie Portman while she's speaking.

3:01pm:

Anyone else think Anne is looking a little cyborg - beautiful, but robotic - in her blue gown?

Hillary Swank introduces Kathryn Bigelow (the first woman to win Best Director!!) to announce the same award. Will this set the tone for Best Picture? ZOMG WHO WILL IT BE?

TENSION.

THE KING'S SPEECH!!!!

KS: 2

SN: 2

Inception: 3

Where's your money peeps?

Tom Hooper acknowledges the amazing work of his fellow nominees and the "triangle of man love that is Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth and me...Helena, I hope that comment doesn't make you too jealous." He talks about how his mother was invited to a preview of the yet-to-be-performed play The King's Speech - "the moral of the story is, listen to your mother."

Hurrah Annette Bening! Clearly channeling the Chrysler Buidling with the sparkling dress.

2:52pm

Celine Dion sings Smile - a tribute to those film giants who have sadly left us.

Halle Berry speaks movingly (looking stunning) about Lena Horne and the trailblazing way she's paved for all Hollywood to follow.

2:41pm

Anne looking her best in red. She's finding hard to keep a straight face with James's deadpan hilarity.

A H Rahman performing with Florence Welch!

The brother called. Missed the part where Gwyneth Paltrow sings. Randy Newman wins for Best Original Song.

2:26pm:

The now not-so-surprise appearance of Billy Crystal. "Some things never change...the producers have told me we're running a little long, so here are the nominees for Best Picture." Another 1.5 hours to go before that bomb drops! Crystal talks about being inspired (and flipped off) by the great man. Too funny.

Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law have great repartee, and compete for the last laugh. Downey is dismissive of special effects geeks but Law reminds him if not for these guys, "your closest association to a superhero would have been in 2001, when you were busted in a cheap hotel room with a girl dressed as Batgirl." Downey is quick to correct - it wasn't cheap, the room cost $1,200, it was in 2000 and she was dressed as Wonder Woman. The behind-the-scenes sneak peak at the amazing computer effects in these films is incredible. Inception has GOT to have this one in the bag. Yes, yes they do.

Film editing - a category I could care less about - goes to the Social Network. Update:

SN: 2

Inception: 3

2:17pm:

HARRY POTTER MUSICAL! Genius. ROFL. Toy Story, Social Network and Twilight (He Doesn't Have a Shirt - guess who THAT'S ABOUT) are all hilariously spoofed. Comedic highlight.

Anne Hathaway shimmies! Loving her gold dress (must say, bearing a striking resemblance to a certain someone else's rather fabulous 1920s ball dress...)

And it's Oprah, all sparkly, presenting the "best movie that did not let us escape" ie documentaries. Pretty sure I haven't seen any, so I'm out again.

(REALLY NEED TO SEE EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP!).

2:11pm:

Amy Adams and Jake Gyllanhaal looking pretty but awkward. I have not seen or heard of these documentaries so, (I know, shock horror!) no comment from me.

Apparently I should really see some of these live-action short films though! The winner comes onstage with a fabulous afro and opens with "I should have gotten a haircut." He must be really young - how cute!

2:01pm:

Kevin Spacey asks what's your favourite movie song? Beauty and the Beast, My Heart Will Go On, As Time Goes By, Time of My Life, Footloose all get a mention. Let me ponder.

YAY more music playing! We Belong Together from Toy Story 3 is performed by the one and only Randy Newman - so fun and upbeat! I've always loved the Toy Story soundtracks.

OMG OMG OMG "I SEE THE LIGHT" FROM TANGLED!!!!!! MANDY MOORE AND ZACHERY LEVI!!!!!! FAVOURITE OSCAR MOMENT!!!!!!!!!!

Mandy Moore = totes babe. And Zach = totes dashing (but Zach, you probs sould have worn a jacket.)

Le sigh. Fangirl heaven :) Beautiful people should NOT be able to sing AND look like that. So unfair.

1:54pm:

Oh hai Marissa Tomei! I don't think I've seen any of your films (although The Wrestler is on my list) but my, what a dress! Looking lovely, m'dear. She seems to be saying a lot of technical gobbledegook. Time to tune out and enjoy lunch.

But then Cate Blancett comes onstage! I have mixed feelings about her dress (even though it is pink). Haven't seen any of these films, and Cate agrees with me: "that's gross" (the Wolfman). I guess gross wins!

Costume design - should go to True Grit. What a set. But Alice in Wonderland wins, and Helena Bonham Carter seems confused about whether she should go up. Aw - the designer has written out her speech! Too cute.

1:45pm:

ScarJo and MattMcC - two of my least favourite actors. They have a very not-funny conversation about sound, since they're presenting sound-mixing. How original of them. Love ScarJo's dress but not her hair. Looks like she just rolled out of bed and strolled on down. Thanks for the effort, Scar. Have only seen Inception, Social Network and True Grit in this category, hence don't really care. Time for lunch.

(But if you care, Inception won. Inception, Social Network and King's Speech now 1 each.)

And since I don't really understand the difference between that category and sound-editing, I'm not going to talk about that either. BUT INCEPTION TAKES THE LEAD WITH TWO OSCARS! I hope Inceptions gets its due recognition for GRAPHICS/SPECIAL FX since that (and the concept, obviously - UM HELLO WHERE IS THE BEST DIRECTOR NOMINATION?!) is where the brilliance lies.

1:40pm:

A homage to the progress and development of "talkies" by "our" Nic and Hugh.

YES it's one of my favourite parts - where the orchestra performs - the theme from ET and Star Wars, to name a few.

In the running for Original Score - How to Train Your Dragon, The King's Speech, The Social Netowrk (HELLO ANDREW GARFIELD!!), 127 Hours (A R RAHMAN FTW AGAIN PLEASE), Inception (NO WAIT I LOVE HANS ZIMMER TOOOOOO).

Bom bom bom bom...

The Social Network! First win. Of how many?

TBH, I didn't really notice the score in The Social Network at all. Not sure I agree, but apparently the Academy doesn't consult me.

1:29pm:

Reese Witherspoon presenting Best Supporting Acting. Christian Bale was JUST SUPERB in The Fighter, he or Geoffrey Rush deserve to win. John Hawkes scrubs up nice compared to his role in Winters Bone. I wish I'd seen the Town - I love Jeremy Renner. I previously had no respect for Mark Ruffalo, but after The Kids Are Alright, I have found newfound admiration for his previously-unknown acting skills. But Geoffrey Rush - Aussie ftw please Academy?

...

I suppose I'll be happy for Christian Bale, so long as The King's Speech gets other kudos. STILL can't decide who I want to win Best Picture.

Christian, I love you, but please shave. You bear a worrying resemblance to Joaquin Phoenix. "I'm not going to drop the F bomb like [Melissa] did - I've done that plenty of times before." And hey - it's so great to get some accolades for Micky.

Oh wow. Who thought Christian would cry? Aw.

1:23pm:

ANNE HATHAWAY IN A SUIT!!!! And singing! And with a gorgeous high ponytail!

"On my own...because someone's a huge Jackass!

Won't say who...thought Australians were our Allies.

Turns out Down Under's kind of shady...not you Nicole

But someone who shall not be named [spotlight on Hugh Jackman.]

He stuck his (fake retractable) claws into my heart

when he left me on my own."

Pure comedic genius - but wait!! JAMES FRANCO AS MARILYN MONROE. IN A PINK DRESS. AND PEARLS. "The weird thing is I just got a text from Charlie Sheen." I can't decide who looks better.

Helen Mirren and Russel Brand. Wow. What a combination. Mirren speaks in French - Brand translates: "yo - my performance as a Queen was much more realistic than Colin Farrell's as a King."

Best foreign film - ashamed to say I haven't seen any of these. I'm not entirely certain if any of them came to Australia (not a reflection on the film - a sorry reflection on Australian cinema/audiences/myself).

1:16pm:

Best original screenplay - Another Year (unknown), The Fighter (I hope so), Inception, The Kids Are Alright (WHAT a movie! Witty, smart, entertaining), The King's Speech - oh come this HAS to win!!! It's about stammering! It was funny and heart-warming!! COME ON!!!

YES KING'S SPEECH IS THE WINNER!!!!!

"My father said to me I would be a late bloomer...I believe I am the oldest person to win this particular award. I hope that record is broken quickly and often...I accept this on behalf of all the stutters throughout the world - we have a voice, and we have been heard thanks to you, the Academy."

Aw.

1:11pm:

Feeling quite stupid - understand the Banksy reference now. Really must see that movie. Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem presenting in matching white jackets. It's a little blinding, to be honest. Bardem notes that "you know a script is good when a writer's words float off the page and go straight to your heart." Adapted screenplay - 127 Hours (WHAT an adaption!), Social Network (ZOMG Aaron Sorkin), Toy Story 3, True Grit, Winters Bone (intense). So many incredible nominations - "and ze Oscar goes to...AARON SORKIN!" To be fair, Sorkin made an average book into a surprise hit film that didn't feel like speculation - all of the others were simply building on already great works - it's much easier to make a terrific film when you've already got an awesome book, don't you know ;)

The music seems to be getting louder. Aaron, you're talking too long. The academy will eventually drown you out.

1:05pm:

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON = ♥ ♥ ♥ Feeling conflicted because I adored Toy Story 3 - I bet it wins. And the Oscar goes to...Toy Story 3! Pixar FTW.

I don't understand the Bansky reference though. Let me Google.

1:01pm:

Mila Kunis (LOVE HER) and Justin Timberlake to present best animated feature and best animated short. She looks gorgeous in a purple dress. First iPhone/app reference of the evening. Oooh, I really need to see The Gruffalo. Day and Night was cute. I saw the Lost Thing here in Australia AND met the author of the book it's based on (of the same name), Shaun Tan, last year. AND THE LOST THING WINS! Hey look it's that short little Asian man I met last year! I MET HIM. OMG OMG OMG!!!!! Feeling a little starstruck and all "one degree of seperation" excited. PS it's a sweet little film, you should all see and read it.

12:54pm:

Best Supporting Actress is announced by Kirk Douglas, who is looking (and sounding) old. Helena Bonham Carter makes an "oh I look awful/I'll never win" face after her clip. Too cute. So happy for Jackie Weaver to be nominated - I've got my fingers crossed for her (it's a pity I'm yet to see Animal Kingdom). But wait - check out the fabulous and fourteen year old Hailee Steinfeld. Kirk really knows how to build suspense! Oh God, I hope it's Jackie. But hey, congrats to Melissa Leo, who looks like she's gone into shock. It's true she was AMAZING in The Fighter, a film I enjoyed immensely (much more than I thought I would). She really can't believe it. "I'm just shaking in my boots here." She seems truly overwhelmed - "when I watched Cate last year it seemed so fucking easy - oops!" First tears of the evening.

JAG

LIFE IN THE TREES

2011-02-24T12:27:00.000+11:00

I wanna live in a treehouseeeeee!

x
JAG

Sunshine and Smiles :)

2011-02-22T10:14:00.002+11:00

My playlist for the summer:

Open Happiness, Michael Rose

A brand new day has begun...

We're Going to be Friends, White Stripes

We don't notice any time pass

Snake, Frightened Rabbit

So pack your pipes, pack your chapstick and your tights

Empire State of Mind, Glee Cast

These streets will make you feel brand new, bright lights will inspire you

Dynamite, Taio Cruz

Cause I told you once, now I told you twice

Sparks Fly, Taylor Swift

Kiss me on the sidewalk, take away the pain

Teenage Dream, Katy Perry

Let's run away and don't ever look back

Paper Aeroplane, Angus and Julia Stone

I spilled the ink across the page trying to spell your name

Bad Kids, The Black Lips

Got no respect for authority

Haven't Met You Yet, Michael Buble

I've broken my heart so many times I stopped keeping track

Hey Soul Sister, Train

So gangsta, I'm so thug

Firework, Katy Perry

Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again

Home, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Well, hot and heavy, pumpkin pie, chocolate candy, Jesus Christ

Fake Empire, the National

Tiptoe through our shiny city with our diamond slippers on

You Belong With Me, Taylor Swift

It's a typical Tuesday night

The Cave, Mumford and Sons

The harvest left no food for you to eat

Just the Way You Are, Bruno Mars

The whole world stops and stares for awhile

Halo/Walking on Sunshine, Glee Cast

And don't it feel good!

A-Punk, Vampire Weekend

Down to the Pueblo huts of New Mexico

You Make My Dreams, Hall and Oates

That sleepwalk should be over by now

Boys and Girls, Pixie Lott

Big, pink lights shining bright, like I’m on the T.V

Sweet Disposition, Temper Trap

And while our blood's still young

We are Golden, Mika

Running around like a clown on purpose.

Can't Get Over, September

I go to sleep believin' in tomorrow

In My Head, Jason Derulo

When it comes down to it, it's just a game

Fireflies, Owl City

I'm weird cause I hate goodbyes

California Girls, Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg

now put your hands up!

Mine, Taylor Swift

You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter

Summer Pop Medley, Sam Tsui

I just can't get you off my mind.

Start Me Up, The Rolling Stones

You make a grown man cry.

Say Hey, I Love You, Michael Franti & Spearhead

The more I see the less I know

Hot Kisses, Cold Tiles, Fergus Brown

You look like a panda that hasn't had a feed since the start of the year

Gives You Hell, Glee Cast

With that sad, sad look that you wear so well

Your Love's a Drug, Leighton Meester

I'm high off everything you do.

Parlez-vous francais? Art vs Science

Si'l vous plait ma cherie allez tombez la chemise!

Rude Boy, Rihanna

Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up babe

Do the Panic, Phantom Planet

Yeah, you can bring your friends.

Here It Goes Again, OK Go

It starts out easy, something simple, something sleazy...

Around the Bend, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Let me be your apple.

Come Flash All Your Ladies, the Filthy Youth

Don't get no candy for free.

Don't Want an Ending, Sam Tsui

Tonight's a countdown til the day we're not around

Hair/Crazy in Love, Glee Cast

Don't ask me why, I don't know.

Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher, Jackie Wilson

That one in a million girls

Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

Dreams really do come true

Do you know the way to San Jose? Dionne Warwick

With a dream in your heart you're never alone.

For You, Angus and Julia Stone

If you love me, I'll make you a star in my universe

Sugar, Sugar, The Archies

Like the summer sunshine pour your sweetness over me

Friday On My Mind, The Easybeats

Today I might be mad, tomorrow I'll be glad.

Daydream Believer, The Monkees

You once thought of me as a white knight on a steed.

Piazza, New York Catcher, Belle & Sebastian

Elope with me in private and we'll set something ablaze.

Radio Christiane, The Virgins

I'm always racing against my mind.

Stuck for the Summer, Two Hours Traffic

It's all about making good time

Campus, Vampire Weekend

I've got to leave here before I go

Smile, Glee Cast

I found the light in the tunnel at the end

Hit Me Up, Gia Farrell

Didn't mean to make you lose your mind

The Ballad of Gus and Sam, Ferraby Lionheart

Things are moving fast like a bat out of hell

Cities in Dust, Junkie XL

Were you praying at the Lares Shrine?

Gloria, Van Morrison

She comes around here just about midnight.

Everlasting Love, The Love Affair

Where life's river flows, no one really knows

Dynamite/Love The Way You Lie/Teenage Dream mash up, Sam Tsui

I want to celebrate and live my life

Last Nite, The Strokes

In spaceships, they won't understand

The Hippy Hippy Shake, The Swinging Blue Jeans

I can't sit still

Jumpin' Jack Flash, The Rolling Stones

I was born in a cross-fire hurricane.

Don't Stop, Fleetwood Mac

Just think what tomorrow will do

Life is a Highway, Tom Cochrane

For the brave are free and lovers soar

Kids, MGMT

No time to think of consequences

Under the Sea, the Little Mermaid

We off the hook!

The Waitress, The Waifs

He’d kill me if I said he was sweet as apple pie

I Will Not Go Quietly (Duffy's Song), The Whitlams

I believe in Yoko, John Lennon, last weekend and me

Hawaii 5-0, The Ventures

Just Can't Get Enough, The Saturdays

We slip and slide as we fall in love

Come Around, M.I.A ft Timbaland

My girls run the Everglades

The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

I won't pretend to understand the movement of the wind or the waves out in the ocean

Your Love is My Drug, Ke$ha

I like your beard.

5 Years Time, Noah and the Whale

I'll put my hands over your eyes but you'll peek through

This Charming Man, The Smiths

Will nature make a man of me yet?

Marchin' On, One Republic

And we'll have the scars to prove it.

Mimzan, Beirut

I spotted you there with curlers in hair on the telephone

Just a Boy, Angus and Julia Stone

I bit my tongue in the ark of conversation

Brown Sugar, The Rolling Stones

Cold English blood runs hot

Thank You (For Loving Me at My Worst), The Whitlams

That could have been the beginning of the end

Crazy Train, The Waifs

Bound for New Orleans.

Uncharted, Sara Bareilles

Jump start my kaleidoscope heart,

Unwritten, Natasha Bedingfield

Today is where your book begins

x
JAG

Hip-hop-happenings

2011-02-21T22:37:00.004+11:00

Hi friends,

I know it's been forever and a day since I've blogged and I'm sorry. Peeps keep getting all up in ma grill about it, so I figured it was time to do something. Plus for the first time ever I've had something of a day off - I worked tonight, and since my parents were here, and I haven't had an entire day just to myself since who knows when, I worked for Oaktree from home.

Speaking of work...I'm sure you've all heard that Borders America just went under in a fairly spectacular way. Yep, they're bankrupt - no money whatsoever (and probably into negative figures in debt). It doesn't help that one day later, Borders Australia (under RedGroup Retail) went into voluntary administration, which means everyone thinks we're in receivership. But we're not. There is a crucial difference - administration basically means an audit, an assessment of our finances to determine a sustainable and viable way forward for the company. Everyone knows that RedGroup Retail has about $43 million debt, and that the book market isn't what it used to be, thanks to e-books, cheap online prices, the comparatively expensive Australian market, and the GFC. But it's also to do with something of the death of reading in our culture. Let's face it, we're technophiles, we're blinkered to and by our computers. If it's not on the interwebs, it doesn't exist, it can't be true, it isn't possible, it's not worth our while. Let's get lost in paper pages, not virtual ones. Let's dare to dream, to imagine, to pretend, to seek, to play, to laugh, to believe in fantasy.

People are freaking out like it's 2012 and spending their gift cards like we're going out of business, which is actually kind of funny. Except for us poor souls in the firing line who have to tell all the customers that to redeem their giftcards, they have to spend twice as much as is on the card, apply to the administrators to redeem the money, or they can hold out and hope for the best, which is pretty much what we're all doing. A lot of customers are lovely, and want us to stay in business - there are even Facebook groups like this! - but it's really horrible to face the angry ones who shout about how it's illegal, and we can't do this to them. The worst, however, is telling young children that they can't spend their entire gift card. Thank goodness the people I work with are lovely and supportive and make work not a completely horrible experience.

So no, I DON'T know what's going on, or if the company has a future...of course I hope we do, and that our store will stay open. There's a lot to be said for job security.

Last weekend I went up to Sydney for K's 21st (you remember her 18th?) which was just fabulous, I'm so glad I was able to make it. I made a speech, which made me realise how much of an amazing friend K is - I've known her for 7 years. How awesome is that? It reminded me of all the insane, crazy, wonderful, incredible times we've had - the late nights, the movies, the shopping trips, the hikes, the runs, the boys, the bush dances, the suspensions (oops!), the classes, the secrets, the crushes (and the code names!) and the tears. K is the loveliest, most beautiful friend a girl could ask for - she's kind, thoughtful, generous, smart as all heck, articulate, sincere, passionate, nerdy, and extremely empathetic. She's always been there for me, even when she had to leave school half way through year eleven. I'm so glad we've stayed in touch, and I'm sure that whatever happens, we'll always be able to call each other and catch up. Anyway, her 21st was just lovely, it was at cozy little cocktail lounge filled with comfy armchairs called Madam Fling Flong. And mmm, were those cocktails delicious! (Gemini tried her darndest to get me drunk again, but to no avail - despite have 6 drinks, I was nothing more than quite tipsy)* All of K's friends from college were there, who were a lot of fun. Got to catch up with D as well, which was fantastic, because he went to China on Thursday on exchange for a whole year :( luckily I was able to go to his going-away party on Sunday, but I'm super sad that's he's gone. He's going to have the best time though.

Apparently one of her friends, F, was kind of keen on me...or so K said. And it might sound awful, but I just wasn't attracted to him at all. I remember a conversation with Sara at A's 21st in October, shortly after the aforementioned asterisked drunk occasion, which went something like this:
Sara: "did you hook up with any boys?"
Me: "no...but apparently one of Gem's friends liked me."
Sara: "so how come you didn't hook up?!"
Me: "I didn't think he was that cute."
Sara: "He doesn't have to be cute..."
Which is a fair point, except that I think I should be attracted, even vaguely, to someone before we hook up. Especially if it's the first time for me. I'm not waiting for fireworks, or to make it some massively romantic/major deal - I just don't want to do it for the sake of, you know? I also think it's unfair to the boy to make out with him if I don't really care for him...

No matter, I'm also about as thick as a 2 by 4, and can't tell when a boy is sweet on me and asking me to dance...silly JAG. Anyway, it was such a great night - we went out afterwards for dancing and were out til 3am...the best nights always are!

Oh, and in other exciting news, my brother has started at Monash University! He's studying Arts, which is KIND OF hilarious, since he gave me crap all those years ago for studying a "dead end degree" that would never get a job. Gotta love irony. He's intending to be a Politics and Communications major, which is way cool, but basically because he has no idea what he wants to do (except maybe get into advertising). I may or may not have mentioned that last year he took a year off and made shitloads of money by joining the Australian Defence Force for a year as part of their Gap Year program (he made like thiry grand, I'm so jealous. Imagine all the places you could TRAVEL with that much money!) He just moved into college yesterday, which I hope he enjoys.

Truth be told friends, I've been mopey lately. I bet you can guess why - it's the same reason it always is. Valentine's Day has been and gone and living alone remains joyfully glorious, but the lack of distraction (in the form of other people) means more time for self-pity, loneliness and ever-growing despair. Gilmore Girls and Glee can really only do so much, and are usually counter-productive, since they're basically all about couples and love. It's getting to the point where it's hard to hang out with other couples (never you Gemini and your gorgeous BF - you're too much good friends) or people in romantically hopeful/flirty situations - it just hurts to much. And I KNOW I'm horrendously desperate, and ridiculously self-indulgent, but there you go. Every day I get closer to 21, and more single, and I'm beginning to wonder how much longer I can stand it.

x
JAG

*ha ha. I totally forgot that I haven't told y'all my "Gemini got me drunk for the first time" story. Must do that soon. It's hilarious!

My Superman

2011-02-21T16:14:00.009+11:00

So, I've fallen for yet another boy with glasses (yes, I'm developing a type) and it got me down for quite a while because I thought he had a girlfriend (and would have been the second successive boy with glasses I've fallen for who was already taken...go figure) BUT it turns out (thanks to my extensive and persistent FB stalking) that he is single! Happy times! ...not really, because he still lives in Sydney. Sadface.

But he's super cute you guys, and he wears these GORGEOUS Clark Kent-style glasses, which I'm now going to dedicate this entire post to, in my usual obsessive way.

Yeah, he's almost as cute as this little guy.

OK I know he's not wearing glasses in the last one...but he's still nice to look at ;)

The yummy Brandon Routh was also a bad boy on Chuck. Om nom nom.

While it's true that Matt Bomer and Colin Firth look fine all of the time, they just look better with the CK glasses...right?

Yours (as always) smitten,

x
JAG

EDIT: just to be clear, in case y'all are getting the (not entirely unfair, based on recent postings) idea that I'm about as superficial as they come and only attracted to someone based on their looks (I call it aesthetic appreciation), he's also smart, funny, fun and well-traveled...do I need more reasons?

Just a little bit cute...

2011-02-21T13:56:00.003+11:00

and a lot dorky!

x
JAG

Midsumma

2011-01-16T21:11:00.022+11:00

Somewhere, not to far away, an alarm is insistently blaring. A cool, crisp breeze is blowing, a relief from the humidity. The sun has pulled a sleepy blind on this side of the world, wearily pulling another endless shift, gently nudging reluctant eyelids in New York right about now. The lights are winking merrily, and even the cars seem slower tonight - they, too, revere the Sunday Law of Leisure. The alarm goes on, in a loop of various evacuation tunes. The sliding glass door is open, all the better to hear, see, smell and feel the evening air.

It's a beautiful Sunday night here in Melbourne.

A brief update on life, which fits somewhere in between the time I find when I'm not at Oaktree or work (a rare luxury like now).

Oaktree: I have been promoted from my previous position - very exciting! I now do a lot more week, and am very much involved in organising the Live Below the Line campaign, so keep a look out peeps! I pretty much spend all my time there when I'm not at...

Borders: I have also been sort of promoted at work which is very exciting - I now handle the money! Or some of it. Some of the time. They trust me! And I love it. :)

So life is sweeeeeeeeet since I've been back. I've been catching up with friends, which has been wonderful - last week I went for dinner on Lygon with a friend. We spend over two hours just talking - about the possibilities of our futures, gossiping about the people we know, travel adventures and so on - then delighted in gelato on the way home. The way a summer night should be spent. On Thursday a few of us got together for dinner at some college friends' new house, drinking champagne, laughing like old times - the whole hosting dinners at our houses feels very grown up of us!

What I'm watching:

Gilmore Girls: oh god I love these girls! How did I not discover this show sooner? It has (albeit a young and creepy looking) Jared Padalecki AND Milo Ventimiglia!! So cute. So funny.
Mad Men: only THE BEST SHOW on television. No spoilers please, I've only just finished season 1(!!!!!!!). It's clever and sexy and set in the 60s - talk about fabulous! Obviously completely frustrating from a feminist point of view, but an accurate (if hard to swallow) representation of the life and times of advertising executives on Madison Avenue.
White Collar: yes, I'm really only watching this because of Matt Bomer. Le sigh. That is all.

What I'm reading:

My Place, Sally Morgan - a deeply poignant and touching autobiography of Sally's life growing up Aboriginal in Perth.
Deerhunting with Jesus, Joe Bageant - a fascinating look at Bageant's roots in Winchester, Virginia, at his redneck, gun-toting, God-fearing, pro-life, pro-war, patriotic peers. He looks at the reasons why the Republican South, the heartland, continues to vote against its own interests, for a party that supports big business at the expense of the underpaid, overworked little man - ie, them.

What I've seen:

Tangled - lovely animation, and Zachary Levi's voice. Swoon.
Love and Other Drugs - JAKE GYLLENHAAL. The man is a god.

Films I recommend:

Blue Valentine - depressing, but brilliant performances from Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. Almost makes you never want to fully commit to any relationship.
The King's Speech - a fabulous, heart-warming, inspiring, funny, moving retelling of King George VI's struggle with a speech impediment and his consultation with an Australian speech therapist's unorthodox methods. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush at their finest.
Black Swan - OH WOW talk about a emotionall intense movie! A psychological thriller exploring one ballerina's destructive quest for perfection. Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis are perfectly cast in their respective White Swan/Black Swan roles.

I want to see:

True Grit
The Fighter

BEST BLOG EVER RECOMMENDATION:

http://hotguysreadingbooks.tumblr.com/

READ IT. And drool.

Good niiiiiiiiiiiight!

x

JAG

I love this city

2011-01-06T13:52:00.000+11:00

Isn't she BEAUTIFUL?

Cnr Collins and Swanston St

DeGraves St

The old W class trams they're taking out of service

Looking up the Yarra

One of Melbourne's many cosy little havens

The trendy - as opposed to classy - end of the notoriously high end Chapel St

Arts Centre

Flinders St Station

Luna Park

The shot tower in Melbourne Central

And just for fun:

x
JAG

Age of Innocence

2011-01-06T00:00:00.007+11:00

The best thing about living in an apartment by oneself?

Being able to blast Katy Perry. Or Taylor Swift. Or Lady GaGa. Or GLEEEEEEEEEEEE - or anyone the hell I want, that's the point - no one to tell me no, turn it down, turn it off, I will not listen to that man masquerade as a woman!

I'm currently (and will be for the next six or so months) living in my parents' apartment, which is RIGHT in the CBD. It's sweeeeeeeeeeet.

God, do I love living by myself. Sure, it was lonely right after I moved out of college - it was to be expected, that after living with other people on an everyday basis for seven years. But I was ready to move out of college - three years was enough. Perfect, really. I love my friends, but I also love my space, and privacy can NOT be over rated. It's such a LIBERTY, such freedom - but let's not clue my parents into that, they'll want to rein it in right away.

Tonight I had a couple of dear friends over for dinner (I have discovered that although my cooking range is limited - my specialty is chicken (I can cook about five kinds) and pizza, but I can also do a decent steak if pushed, and an alright pasta - I love to entertain and cook for other people. I also do not cook well in a team - I am a lone chef), which was so much fun. After dinner (pizza!) we ended up swimming in our clothes in the gym on the top floor - I took them up to show them the view (it's spectacular) and we were lured by the warm water (despite the cool day). We didn't let our lack of what some would call appropriate attire get in our way - we simply got towels and shorts and got wet!

It's SUMMERRRRR, don't you know? The season of spontaneous swimming, of sunshine and singing and sweating and shopping and short dresses and style. And the city is my PLAYGROUND. I'm so excited about spending this summer in the city. I've never been in Melbourne for long around this time of year, apart from a couple of days around the Aussie Open. This city comes to life in the summer - it unfurls in the unfiltered sunshine - there's always something to see or do or hear or eat or try - have gelato on Lygon St, go to the Moonlight Cinema, watch Shakespeare Under the Stars, wander along the Yarra, linger over a breakfast of crepes on Hardware Lane, brunch on DeGraves St, catch a spot of tennis, be delighted by free MSO performances in the park, people watch from the lawn of the State Library, and FINALLY be able to enjoy a drink (or three) on the rooftop of Madame Brussels or the Carlton without wearing several coats.

There's romance and possibility around every corner of this glorious, gorgeous city.

It's going to a bloody awesome summer!

x
JAG

FIREWORK

2010-11-26T11:02:00.005+11:00

NEXT APRIL, IMMA SEE KATY PERRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOOK AT HER. She's sexy and vivacious and fun and FABULOUS and is gonna ROCK MY SOCKS OFF. So unprepared for such awesomeness that is going to BLOW MY MIND. ZZZZZZZZOMG!!!!!!!

Teenage Dream

Quite possibly my favourite video (except for You Belong With Me, obviously):

Firework

And maybe this one:

California Gays

(For more Ryan James Yezak brilliance, see here)

xx
JAG

Murder, He Wrote

2010-11-25T15:34:00.001+11:00

My response (word for word, from my journal) to the closing arguments of a murder trial we saw in Boston.

WOW! Was today ever an EYE OPENER! The murder trial this morning was absolutely mind blowing. We were very lucky to be able to sit in on such a case – and to hear the closing arguments, a re-cap of the case! – but at the same time, I felt a bit guilty, like a third, unwanted party, spectator to their grief [the family.] The case was that of a young black 20 year old man who killed another 20 y. o. (black man) after a fight between them, allegedly over money. The question was, is it manslaughter (heath of the passion; provoked) or murder 1 (calculated, malice.) I noticed the jury was mostly white, with only 2 black members (a man and a woman) which seemed unfair, and this was something Denise brought up, that minorities should be entitled to minority juries.

The defence began by saying we humans are frail, emotion beings, and that the defendant completely lost his cool after being confronted and assaulted by the (now deceased) victim. What if came down to, between the prosecution and defence, was his (the defendant’s) state of mind. Can a reasonable person lose such restraint, blinded by anger and humiliation? The prosecution placed a lot of emphasis on a person’s ability to reflect, which I think may be somewhat overestimated in this case. I mean, if we’re all fired up, do we ever reflect, or simply find the quickest release for our fury, which in this case was revenge. On the other hand, I think the defence may have overplayed the ‘ego/manhood’ card – how much can you really argue that someone is more humiliated because they’re beaten up in front of their girlfriend, which drives them into a blind rage and killing frenzy?

But what it all comes down to is speculation, really – I mean how can we ever KNOW – especially in a case like this one – what was going through his head? The evidence can only ‘tell’ (or rather, suggest) so much. The rest is up to your lawyers to persuade the jury. Another curiosity was the clause of ‘cruel and atrocious crimes,’ and as one of the closing arguments noted, aren’t all crimes [i.e. murder] cruel and atrocious? [though I suppose some more so than others...everything’s relative.] What makes one any more so than another? The number of lives taken, and the way in which they were taken, I suppose, but all life is sacred.

JAG

The tassle worth the hassle*

2010-11-24T23:38:00.006+11:00

I'm about to graduate!!!! December 13 is the big day. I finished all my classes and final assessment a couple of weeks ago, and made the Big Move out of college into my parents' apartment in the city (it's fabulous. I love having privacy. I'm even learning to cook for myself! Sara came over for steak on Tuesday, which was an adventure, but I'm pleased to say a successful and delicious and fire-free one) :)

Of course, I've got no prospects, with a Bachelor of Arts:

[Source]

Although it's true, I've learned the invaluable art of essay writing:

[Source]

Furthermore, I've been taught how to think, not what to think, which is obviously infinitely more worthwhile.

Kidding, of course! To be honest, I HATE all the jokes about how I won't get a real/paying job because I've got an Arts degree, how I'll end up working at McDonald's (serving all the Commerce kids, of course) or how I'll end up living in a cardboard box. For God's sake, get over your superiority complex, all of you! Your degree is no better than mine, does not qualify you for more than mine. The beautiful, amazing, talented, incredible Gem just finished a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Writing and Cultural Studies) this year and already has a fantastic job lined up at an up and coming PR firm. She's going to go sensational places. The joke about arts is you do what you love, but you'll never make any money from it, and you've made the decision to prioritise the former over the latter. I don't think there's anything wrong with this choice, but I also don't think it has to be a dichotomy. Arts gives me so many options, and none of them include fast food, so screw you, I'm going to have a career I love and be successful at it, dammit. You can take your piece of paper and shove it, because mine's not going to define me.

After taking the next glorious year off, I'll come back to uni - hopefully MU - and do post-grad studies. I'm currently tossing up between a Master of Teaching (Secondary), Master of Publishing and Editing, and a Master of Development. I'm also considering Teach for Australia and maybe, just maybe, the Peace Core (probably a pipe dream.)

Sadly, though, we don't get hats to through, which is I'm going to do a Masters, so I can do this:

x
JAG

*Yeah. We'll see.

PARAISO PARA MI

2010-11-24T22:15:00.006+11:00

So guess where I'm going to be living for 3 months next year, volunteering as an English teacher in a primary school?

[Photo]

[Photo]

[Photo]

[Photo]

COSTA RRRRRRRRRICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to be living with a family near La Fortuna, helping teach english at the local primary school, from August to October next year. I'm doing this through i-to-i, who organise the whole trip (more or less), and with whom I am going to do the TEFL course. Which means I need to brush up on mi espanol pronto!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Y'all may have got the impression that I spend most of my waking hours (and, let's be honest, sleeping) in a constant state of excitement. This is true, because basically, I'm a happy, upbeat kind a gal, and I always have something to look forward to :) however, with this on the horizon, I can barely contain myself. My life is perpetual caps lock, or as Sheldon puts it, "in the world of emoticons, I['m] colon capital D." :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
WWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xxx
JAG

Surprise! I’m alive :)

2010-09-23T00:31:00.017+10:00

Hello, dear blog. It's a jolly good thing you're not something that requires constant watering, otherwise you'd have withered up long ago.

Would you look at that – several months have bitten the dust since I last blogged. Oops. This last semester has been crazy – I didn’t think it was possible for me to be busier than I was last semester, when I was organising the college ball, adjudicating, starting a roving reporter gig and doing a full load of uni subjects. Apparently I enjoy proving myself wrong, not just in theory, but in practice: with only taking three subjects this semester (my final 3!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! Graduation, here I come! ...provided my crap grades this semester don’t make me fail...) and a sweet two-day-a-week timetable (but shhh – don’t tell my dad, he’ll be all “you’re wasting your time at university, you’re so slack, why aren’t you taking more classes, rah rah rah” – he knows I’m only taking 3 but doesn’t realise my timetable is so AWESOME – I mean “lazy”) I felt I could take on a few more extracurriculars. Cue my getting a casual job, getting involved with the Student Appeal on campus, starting to volunteer with the Oaktree Foundation one day a week, a hectic college calendar, a billion and one twenty firsts, and you get one ridiculously busy JAG.

But back to the exciting news that I have a job – I WORK AT BORDERS, BITCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How FANTASTIC IS THAT?!?!?!?!?

Not meaning to gloat or anything, but honestly, I love my job. Everyone who works there is so lovely, they’ve been super helpful in showing me the ropes, my managers are really nice, and getting paid to sell, talk about, shelve and be around books is just a dream. Plus the pay is pretty great (let’s be honest, almost anything – including working at McDonald’s – pays better than Boost, so I’m stoked) – I’m saving up for next year (GAP YEAR!!!!!) if only I can resist my glorious staff discount. It’s also a lot of fun, because it’s the one place where you’re allowed to be unashamedly fangirly about anything and everything. So you can see that I fit right in ;)

So peeps, I’m trying/starting/hoping to make plans for next year. The plan I’ll be working for 6 months (hopefully still at Borders – they’ve been pretty great so far about the fact that I can’t work over the Christmas for two weeks because – that’s right – my uncle’s getting married in Hawaii) making – I mean saving – some serious dough so that I can commence some serious travelling in the next six! I want to volunteer teaching English or working in an orphanage for a couple of months – and before you say “but JAG, you KNOW there are only 12 months in the year, right?” – that’s half of the six months travelling. I’d love to go to Argentina, because it’s Argentina, I’ve never been to South America, and I’d like to try to resurrect my very shonky Spanish. Or maybe Peru. Possible Costa Rica. Any of which would be AMAZING. But as we all know, I’m DYING – like, literally a little bit every day (“wait, WHAT?!”*) – to go to India (and not just to visit a dear friend of mine – ok well mostly) SO I haven’t yet decided whether I’ll volunteer there and travel, then go on to Europe (because I want to see more of Europe – especially Spain – and who knows, hopefully meet some of you!). Decisions, decisions.

Can anyone recommend an organisation/agency I should volunteer with – or advise against, that’s equally helpful. At the moment I’m thinking of getting TEFL qualified with i-to-i or possibly going with Projects Abroad. I’d love to get an AYAD position, but that seems extremely unlikely.

Oh, I’ve missed this – all of this, and you. I’ve missed the ability to endlessly rant with pointless asides and references only you, my dear friends, will put up with, mainly because I choose not to edit, and therefore you can do nothing about it but tolerate me. I’ve missed your advice and your jokes and your comments and your LIVES: like, what have you been up to? UPDATE ME. I’ve been shamelessly out of the loop – not reading your blogs, not commenting, not even skimming them in passing on the way to Go Fug Yourself or Post Secret (both sadly neglected in recent weeks) or, more accurately, Facebook.

Does anyone here watch Charlie the Unicorn? I’ll admit I’m fairly late in the game – my college is obsessed with it, and keeps quoting it (“Charlie! We’re on a bridge Charlie!”) – but that is some funny shit. Get on it.

So in the time between now and when I last blogged, it took Australia approx 1.5 years to decide on a Prime Minister (did anyone think it was going to be that close an election? Apparently we want to be just like the Mother Country – I mean England – and have a hung parliament too) and honestly, it’s hard to tell if the Liberal (remember: Australians are backwards, so the Liberal party Down Under is actually the conservative party – yeah, no kidding) or Labour candidate is in, considering we’re getting so little progressive action on refugees, climate change, foreign aid or gay rights. The Greens and Labour marriage of convenience should be interesting – I’m hoping it’ll make Labour’s policies slightly more distinguishable from the Liberals, ie give us some actually liberal action. What a change that would be!

(On the other hand, some electoral seat in QLD now has a 20 year old MP. "*splutter* - WTF AUSTRALIA?!" It's OK - we feel the same.

Also, I went to the UN DPI/NGO Conference on Advancing Global Health (quite exciting – only the 3^rd time in 63 years it’s been held out of NYC – last two were Mexico City and Paris), which was pretty amazing. I got in as a volunteer usher, which was a pretty sweet gig, because all I had to do was stand around, direct people/tell them where to go (pretty funny on the first day, we couldn’t answer basic queries like “where are the bathrooms?” “where does the elevator go?” and “is there wireless in here?” because we hadn’t been briefed) then we could sit in on whichever sessions we wanted to see! Every morning (it went for 3 days) there was a roundtable/panel of speakers on a certain issue relating to health and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Tim Costello moderated one session, and Chris Varney (2009 Australian UN Youth Rep) spoke a couple of times too, both of whom are FANTASTIC speakers. Big wigs from the UN were there, as well as prominent leaders in development and NGOs from around the world. The conference was a change for NGOs to come together and discuss strategies for achieving the MDGs, as well as affirming their commitment to them and issuing recommendations to the UN on how to move forward between now and 2015. It was fascinating being exposed to such a range of thinkers and activists, all passionate about one thing: advancing global health. It was quite a sentiment to be caught up in.

And finally, it was Gemini's 21st a couple of weekends ago, for which I flew to the national's capital. It was themed "12 years old (being young again)," complete with fairy bread, jelly beans and karaoke. I had a fantastic time, and would definitely count it as my favourite/most fun 21st so far (I have something like 8 coming up in the next 6 weeks.)

Anyhow dear friends and lovers, it is much past my (desired) bed time. It is lovely to be back, and I'll see you again soon :)

Ciao!

JAG

PS: GLEE IS BACK ON TV!!!!!!!! AND ALL MY FAVOURITE SHOWS - GOSSIP GIRL, CHUCK, SUPERNATURAL, BIG BANG THEORY, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, THE GOOD WIFE - SQUEE SQUEE SQUEE SQUEE SQUEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

*remember my propensity towards exaggeration to express my desire and/or excitement :)

The vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended

2010-07-10T21:10:00.029+10:00

This year, Sara FINALLY came to visit me over Easter! Which was mega-exciting, and also meant I got to try out her super-fancy-look-at-me-I'm-a-professional-photographer SLR. See if you can pick which were taken on my humble point and shoot (a beautiful, bright pink, Canon IXUS) and Sara's Nikon D90(?).

I had written him a letter which I had, for want of better
Knowledge, sent to where I met him down the Lachlan, years ago,
He was shearing when I knew him, so I sent the letter to him,
Just 'on spec', addressed as follows, 'Clancy, of The Overflow'.

And an answer came directed in a writing unexpected,

(And I think the same was written with a thumb-nail dipped in tar)
'Twas his shearing mate who wrote it, and verbatim I will quote it:
'Clancy's gone to Queensland droving, and we don't know where he are.'

In my wild erratic fancy visions come to me of Clancy

Gone a-droving 'down the Cooper' where the Western drovers go;
As the stock are slowly stringing, Clancy rides behind them singing,
For the drover's life has pleasures that the townsfolk never know.

And the bush hath friends to meet him, and their voices kindly greet him,
In the murmur of the breezes and the river on its bars,
And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended,
And at night the wond'rous glory of the everlasting stars.

I am sitting in my dingy little office, where a stingy
Ray of sunlight struggles feebly down between the houses tall,
And the foetid air and gritty of the dusty, dirty city
Through the open window floating, spreads its foulness over all

And in place of lowing cattle, I can hear the fiendish rattle
Of the tramways and the 'buses making hurry down the street,
And the language uninviting of the gutter children fighting,
Comes fitfully and faintly through the ceaseless tramp of feet.

And the hurrying people daunt me, and their pallid faces haunt me
As they shoulder one another in their rush and nervous haste,
With their eager eyes and greedy, and their stunted forms and weedy,
For townsfolk have no time to grow, they have no time to waste.

And I somehow rather fancy that I'd like to change with Clancy,

Like to take a turn at droving where the seasons come and go,
While he faced the round eternal of the cash-book and the journal --
But I doubt he'd suit the office, Clancy, of 'The Overflow'.

-Clancy of the Overflow, by A.B 'Banjo' Patterson -- one of my very favourite poems about the bush, not least because I love the country-envy - "For the drover's life has pleasures that the townsfolk never know." That fourth stanza is just so beautiful, and captures so many of the things I love about where I live.

x
JAG

More Than a Feeling

2010-07-08T17:06:00.008+10:00

This time last year I was in the US, searching for the American Dream. Sigh. Was it ever AMAZING. Pretty sure there aren't enough adjectives to accurately describe how much fun it was.

Our first stop was Boston, which I adored, and it remains one of my favourite American cities, a must-return-to destination. Here are extracts from the journal I kept along the way (as part of my assessment.)

It rained THE WHOLE TIME we were in Boston. Well, not entirely. But it did rain for about 5/6 days, cats and dogs. It was still lovely though, and still warm enough (a nice change from the miserable Melbourne we’d come from!) Thankfully it cleared up to beautiful sunshine on the last day, our free day.

DAY 1 – Arrive, Swan boats, JFK Museum

My first glimpse of Boston – literally seconds before we landed, descending through cloud that promised to lift around midday but instead stuck around – was of these lovely little formal looking houses right on the ocean (quite like Sydney) and they encapsulate the little of Boston I have discovered thus far; quaint, historic, contained, polite, beautiful. Professor H put it best when he said history is embedded in Boston – there’s a story – not to mention a monument! – around every corner. And the Common! It is symbolic of Boston’s community spirit, and that in and of itself is impressive. It’s hard to imagine – nay, comprehend – that some 400 years ago it was shared grazing ground, and that they had the incredible foresight to protect it for future generations to enjoy (as we did, and did! Rather puts South Lawn to shame...) Bostonians can and should be proud of their history and heritage, and it is clear that they are by the glorious upkeep of this almost vintage – but never outdated – city.

[...] Boston is more of an urban city that a bustling metropolis – much more neighbourly and freidnly (or so I’ve found so far!). The Common itself might as well be Eden in the summertime =)

At the JFK Museum:

There was a brilliant JFK quote: “A man may die, many nations rise and fall, but an idea lives on.” And it occurred to me that in this way JFK somewhat represents what the American Dream is all about; achieving your potential; his being never fully realised makes him almost a hero in America’s eyes, though his politics – and his personal life (eg his womanising ways) – may have left much to be desired...He further demonstrated that great American HOPE AND OPTIMISM that Obama is reigniting (JFK and Johnson reminded me of Obama and Biden), that inspired man to land on the moon, that makes Americans believe they can rise above their class and status.

DAY 2 – Harvard and meeting with Alice Peisch, House of Reps

Walked past a homeless shelter yesterday and several figures camped in doorways or huddled on park benches today, a stark and discomforting reminder of the flipside of the Dream – failure, hopelessness, incapacitated. What does this suggestion about the nature of the dream? It is, without a doubt, confronting. When walking along the Charles River, I saw what appeared to be blankets and a mattress over some steam (?) vents, and I realised they were drying from the rain, and probably belong to the man lying on the bench by the river. We are, perhaps, none of us immune from losing it all, for whatever reason.

Mass. State House

DAY 3 – Salem

This town (what could almost be called a village!) capitalises on their witching history (however horrible), far more than I had expected (or thought possible!) It is, with little doubt, the main source of income for the town, not to mention (only?) attraction, and they definitely make the most of it! The re-enactment of the [witch] trial was hugely amusing – really enjoyed it – but also made you think about the nature of superstition and how it begins.

From the actors’ portrayals of 1600s perspectives, it becomes apparent that they should not be stereotyped or dismissed as simple-minded. Superstition is rooted in pre-existing prejudices and fear and, ultimately, what seems to be a desire innate within humans to explain that which they do not understand. As Professor H pointed out, they had much to be suspicious of and there were large gaps in their knowledge. Especially when you consider how, lacking electricity, the night would seem particularly daunting, being so dark. Once you understand this mindset, coupled with their deep-seated revere of God and fear of the Devil, neighbourly disputes/grudges plus a desire to explain the incomprehensible, it is not altogether difficult to see why they ‘believed’ in witchcraft – it was simply a scapegoat (Like Communism and terrorism). And as with these, if you aren’t a vocal accuser, you appear suspicious, and so mass hysteria develops.

DAY 4 – Transit Police and Christian Science Monitor

(Details on our discussion with the Monitor to come.)

Met my great Aunt (who is actually my grandmother’s cousin – details, details) for dinner tonight for the first time. Had an absolutely terrific time!! Was worried I wouldn’t recognise her when I walked into the Four Seasons, but spotted her straight away, a diminutive little figure. Gosh, she is so, so lovely. And she sounds just like my grandmother sometimes when she speaks. We chatted for 2.5 hours without noticing, on everything from publishing (my future aspiration), family, traveling, the Great Depression, to Australian Aborigines and climate change! It was a lot of fun, and I hope she realises I really did enjoy it. She did flatter me so =) I hope we’ll be able to meet again (I would so love to come back to Boston), but if not, I think we’ll keep in touch.

DAY 5 – Trial, Dudley St Neighbourhood Initiative, Food Project

(Thoughts about the trial to be posted separately.)

DAY 6 – FREE DAY!!!

Boston as a city is like that – ornate but polite. Historical, impressive, but not showy or overwhelming. As the one city on this trip I hadn’t visited before, I expected it to be somewhat more humble than NY and D.C. and quite a historical little town, but I don’t think I expected it to be quite so grand, stately, and above all, lovely. Boston is cultured and refined, but not snobby about it in the least. On the contrary, Bostonians are friendly people who take immense pride in their city without being vain or proud (I should point out they are not, though I may make them sound, perfect =)) I have had an absolutely marvellous time in Boston, I have loved every minute, rain or shine. =) =)

The absolute HIGHLIGHT of the day (and the trip so far?) was FENWAY PARK!! We’d travelled out there a few days ago to do a tour but missed them and so intended to do one before the game. Alas, they were SOLD OUT when we got there! After much angst, and meeting up with [4 other friends on the trip], the 5 of us decided to wait in line for tickets, and soon ran into [3 other friends] who joined us. We waited for an hour and a bit, but it was SO WORTH IT!!! We got some great tickets for $50 each up in the grandstand [between home base and first]. Excellent view. And WHAT a game! The atmosphere itself was incredible. The crowd was in tremendous spirits, and seemed to act as one, roaring their approval or otherwise (there may have been only 2 Mariners fans in the whole house.) The mood was almost delirious. Music was pumping between almost every play, and at one stage began to bare Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” with the chorus being softened so the crowd could sing instead. As the song died so play could resume, the crowd kept singing, loud and in unison. =) At ½ way through the 7^th inning, we “stretched” and sang “Take Me Down to the Ball Game.” When the game went into overtime (tied 5 all!) we stood and clapped and cheered, exhilarated, to an Irish dance jig. It all felt a bi surreal. But perhaps most powerful was when the National Anthem was played (and half sung by the crowd) and as all stood, hats off, hands on our hearts, cheering the little brass band at the end. Americans are very patriotic; this much is clear in their pride in their baseball teams, their states, their flags hanging everywhere. Australia doesn’t have this so much, perhaps because we are a younger country, because we’ve never united to defend ourselves...Is this what makes the American Dream just that – American? Is it so different to the Australian Dream? What is the Australian Dream? More of a lifestyle, I suppose; one of success tempered by leisure, comfort/security, family. Contentedness plays a large part too, I think. The America Dream, though, is more about getting ahead – in times past (Ford, Carnegie, Rockefeller) this was in terms of the individual, but these days as community groups. It’s about (self) improvement, and in that sense perhaps more aggressive (slightly).

It struck me while at the game that the Red Sox embody the American Dream to an e in their recent winning of the World Series (04 and 07) after some 80 years. Their determination and underdog position are what Americans love and admire. And central to the American Dream is the hope – nay, conviction – that one day, we will overcome class, family, race, etc and we will succeed.

In any case, the Red Sox lost – it was so close, one run, came down to 11 innings – but a tremendous experience nonetheless. =)

JAG

PS: the college we stayed at - Emerson - was really nice, right opposite the Common and super close to the city.

Australian coup!

2010-06-25T15:08:00.002+10:00

A political coup that took all of 12 hours, to be exact.

Australia now has a female PM, which is over-the-moon exciting, but it feels like a hollow victory.

I don’t want to say that a female PM by any means is less momentous, but let’s remember: we, the Australian people, didn’t elect her. So how will they feel about this?

Julia Gillard’s seizure of power feels sour, like a bad taste in the mouth – not that I’m not pleased as punch for her, I am, because I’m hoping she’ll be able to achieve more than Kevin Rudd promised and tried to – because she hasn’t been elected by the people. To quote a Facebook friend of a friend, 'our new prime minister wasn't even chosen by us. the westminster system is shit.'

What feels really awkward is that a Prime Minster has been deposed by his own party for what constitutes no significant or dishonourable reason. His party is simply fed up with him, dissatisfied – but is that the party’s call to make? We voted him in – don’t we retain the right to vote him out, if we so choose?

It was really sad to see Rudd struggle over his words yesterday, as he gave his last press conference as PM, visibly on the verge of tears. The people like(d) and voted for K Rudd, and probably would have supported him to a second term. Sure, Tony Abbott is gaining favour, but he really doesn’t have a strong platform to oppose the ALP yet. Rudd might have been a disappointment, but I think people would have been willing to give him a second chance. He may have been the nose, particularly with the recent super tax/mining issue, but he hadn’t disgraced himself enough to not deserve re-election. Apparently, "I believed that a good Government was losing its way" said Australia's new Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. But is this reason enough?

Has the Labour party actually shot themselves in the foot? In the hopes of establishing a more able challenger to Tony Abbott, have they shown themselves to be backstabbers? Will the Australian people want Kevin Rudd to have a fair shake of the sauce bottle, as it were, and feel he was wrongly done by? It will be very interesting to see...The ALP still have my vote, but how many others?

x
JAG

Just Another Manic Music Monday: Glee edition

2010-06-21T12:29:00.002+10:00

Vogue. I've uploaded these songs more for the videos than the music. Sue's ad-libbing is hilarious, and the clip is a testament to Madonna's version. Meanwhile, Rachel is a melodramatic as ever

Run, Joey, Run - too funny!

And while we're on the hilarity of Rachel/Lea Michele, check out scenes from her audition; she pratically IS Rachel.

More here: Artie (Kevin McHale), Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz), Mercedes and Kurt (Amber Riley and Chris Colfer), Finn (Cory Monteith). I couldn't find anything from Quinn's (Dianna Agron), sadly, but she talks about it here. I love her. And I love that they all talk about how awful they think their auditions were terrible, but they ended up getting the parts.

To finish: just some of the more memorable musical moments.

This is an absolutely amazing performance of the song, although it makes me sad that Kurt blows the last note.

Never fails to make me smile. Or sing along.

Oh no she did NOT just include Vocal Adrenaline! I did, because I really liked this number, and what can I say? They won Nationals last year!

Favourite Glee performances?

x
JAG

PS: See here for my views on the Glee finale (spoilers!!!)