Thank You, Advertisers

Maybe it's just me, but I really gotta hand it to these ad people when they make me like a song even more than I already do, or actually discover a song, just by using the song in their ads. No, I'm not talking about those cheesy ones (no offense). I think they nail it in the head. The whole point is to evoke an emotion, right? For the song to reflect their product? Not that I end up buying their products. Hah! But it does give me the warm fuzzy feeling. Kinda like the Google Chrome ads (here, here, here, and here). I'm such a sap, I know hehe...

Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop (Landon Pigg), from De Beers Diamonds, 2008:

 


We Are Young (Fun), from Chevy Sonic, 2012:




Everything At Once (Lenka), from Microsoft, 2012:




Home (Phillip Phillips), from Tim Hortons for Tassimo, 2012:




Out of all these, I'm realizing two things. First, I imagine from the artist perspective, the whole thing about commercialism might equate to a feeling of selling-out, but I also imagine, they need to stay commercial eventually, no, in order to survive. Second, what does it say about me when I discover a song thru an ad? Does that validate an artist when it's able to reach an audience like myself? AND more importantly, am I that old that I only hear certain songs thru ads? Or maybe I just watched too much TV, is that it? Which is it? Hmmm...

(Asian) "Posse"

Maybe it's just me but a scene involving a "posse" gets me all the time. Goes to show how much boob tube I watch and how much movies, in general has afflicted, I mean, affected my brain.

(via Google images, fanpop.com)

Take this weekend, for example. Stumbled upon the movie, The Last Samurai, by accident. When the above scene came up, I got the goosies. Ok, that's exaggerating. Of course it takes more than that for me to get the goosies. Anyhoot, where was I? Oh yes, that scene. That is the part when Algren, Tom Cruise's character, was returned to Tokyo as agreed, and a sea of people parted as they rode thru the street. See, in my mind, that scene conveyed perfectly what it was supposed to; power, honor, deference, strength, tradition all encaptured. And dare I say it, sexy.

(via Google images, fanpop.com)

The interesting part, for me, with scenarios like that, is that it's usually from a movie set in a time when women in general had no other place but inside the home. Ok, not all of them, just the period ones perhaps. But what's that got to do with it? I dunno. Maybe it doesn't. But why do I feel it does?

Does it having an effect on me goes against the "feminist" in me? And if so, why? What beliefs am I betraying? And if it doesn't, why do I feel it does? Is it because I'm not supposed to be affected by movies? But isn't that the point of a good movie? And I haven't even talked about musical scores, don't get me started.

Now what's the point of all this rambling? I've forgotten already...

As If I Don't Watch Enough TV

Seeing that summer meant re-runs as far as most TV shows are concerned, I thought I'd catch up on all the PVR'd episodes we've saved so I can get caught up and get ready as the new season begins. Get ready for what? Sheesh, I sound like as if my life depends on it, how sad!

But did I? Of course not! Instead, I've veered my attention towards other shows on cable channels. So now, not only have I not watched the recorded episodes of the shows that I like so far, I've also managed to record more of new shows that I just started getting into. Ok, they're not new shows but they are to me. *sigh*

Doctor Who (via wikipedia)

Hubs remember watching reruns of the original one as a little kid. Me? Not really. One day, a month or so ago, however, they were doing a marathon on Space. Having heard what I heard about the show so far, I thought I'd watch one episode. Well, that was the end of it. Or should I say the beginning of it?

The sci-fi geek inside me started rejoicing, needless to say.

Haven (via wikipedia)

Stumbled upon this show one late Sunday night and the description of the show kinda' caught my attention. I liked whatever episode was on that night but didn't really watch anymore until, again, a month or so ago, when I started searching for any of its episodes on the TV guide.

Although not the biggest fan of Stephen King books, which this show is based on, I'm still enough of a fan.

White Collar (via wikipedia)

2 words. Matt Bomer.

HAH!

He got on my radar (albeit late) after watching an episode of Glee where he played Blaine's older brother. Which then reminded of his show I always see in passing on Bravo but never really delved into. Again, until a month or so ago. And that's that!

What happened a month or so ago that got me getting into these shows? Not sure, really. It just happened, I suppose...

I guess it really shouldn't come as a surprise to me the way I start "obsessing" about things, including TV. My shopping habit alone is a perfect demonstration of such behaviour.

O well...

Unplugged

After the problem with the computer, I honestly thought I'd go into a withdrawal and get all weirded out being out of touch with the "world" out there. As it turned out, I didn't miss it that much. It actually felt nice to not have the compulsion to go constantly online and check what's out there. It felt nice to be unplugged for a change.

But was I really unplugged? I continued to get my emails on my phone. I still went online on my phone to check things once in a while, although granted I didn't spend as much time.

I also thought it was a good time to catch up on some stuff I wanted to do at home, granted they were chores so I guess there's a reason right there why I needed to "catch" up. Then there were books and mags I've been meaning to read for a while now. Granted I didn't really get to the books, got as far as reading some mags. Then of course the TV shows that's been lingering in our DVR that I've been meaning to watch for a while now.

Which brings me to my next thought, the slow death of normal TV. With the onset of DVR, how can one seriously still sit thru commercials these days? Of course, the more one get used to skipping thru ads, the more one keep on taping shows with the thought that it'd be watched a little later without the ads. So what happens, in the mean time? One finds more inane things to get preoccupied with and that taped show just stays saved. For how long? Who knows.

Before one realizes it, there's no longer enough hours in a day. All for what?

BAH!

So, I wonder what would it take to get really unplugged? How would it really feel?

Guess I'll just wonder for now, as my show's about to start... Yah, right! Who am I kidding! I'm just moving on to the next inane thing...

Gotta love technology!

Television Schmelevision (hopefully)

Didn't realize how much TV I watch until we switched cable company (yesterday) and practically half of the channels that I'm used to is gone!!!!! *Panic*

 Ok, ok, I know I watch a LOT, but I didn't realize how much. Isn't that sad? And kinda' scary considering I think I'm going through some kind of withdrawal. Then, I remember how some people I know don't even have cable at all. Cray cray, right?!?!

On the other hand, a majority of those people I know who don't have cable watch their movies or shows on the internet. Again, cray cray!... It's just me, isn't it?!? Or should I say, people of my generation, right? A friend of mine said she was recently reminded by her son that only her (our) generation still watches cable TV. Yikes!

Now, as for those without cable and also do not watch online, all I can say is, good on them! Really!

As for me, I suppose I can continue to panic, whine about it til hubby cannot take it so we end up taking the more expensive package which will totally defeat the purpose of us switching cable companies to begin with. *big sigh*

Or, I can be just normal about it and do OTHER things... Well, for starter, we do have a bunch of DVDs that I haven't seen (yes, I said DVD) and I've bought them a while baaaack. Also, I realize I have a bunch of books that I've been meaning to read.

barnesandnoble.com

amazon.ca

... among a bunch of them...

See, I'm already finding things to do, things that I probably should have been doing in the first place... Hey, maybe one of these days, I'll be like, TV? what's that?... NOT!

Clinton Kelly

If he knows how much I follow his work/life, he'll probably think I'm some kind of nuts that he might need a restraining order. Ok, not really that much, but I'm pretty sure my sis will beg to differ. Well, I don't even live in NY so how can that be?!? LOL

Mind you, I have talked about him on this post and this post. But that's, like, what, 2 posts only! What's that in the grand scheme of things? So really, not much, right?

Then I came across this article. Thought I'd post it too. Meh, why not...

Clinton Kelly: Fashion crime pays - Oct. 12, 2011

Then I'd just stop talking about him. Well, I don't want the hubby to get some weird idea or worse, get jealous, you know... HAHAHAHA

Hors D'oeuvres

Watched the premier episode of The Chew earlier.

courtesy of aoltv.com (Google images)

And I found another reason why I like Clinton Kelly so much. As if I need another reason! Hah!

Thanks to Clinton, I realize there are more out there who're all about hors d'oeuvres. Not just that, I love how he's taking entrees and translating them to appies. And just like he said, what could be better than drinks in one hand and food in another!

courtesy of en.gourmetpedia.com (Google images)

When I go out to eat/drink with friends, my eyes go straight to the appie section. Out with friends, to me, is all about the company and not quite the meal, but I obviously need to wash down all that libation with something:p So, I tend to focus on the part of the menu that would allow me to eat and talk at the same time, something that will not require too much of my attention, I suppose. Not good, I know, as then I get distracted and won't be aware of how much I've ingested. Well, when out with friends and having fun, who's keeping track, really, right?

When we first moved to Vancouver, I wasn't working for a good while and my passion for food/cooking was unleashed even further. And during those times, I realized how much I like appies and/or side dishes. So much, that I came pretty close to seriously considering starting a catering biz. I had a menu of appies that I've tried on the hubby and some of his co-workers/friends. Some of them tested well, if I recall correctly.

But then, I found a full-time job, not related to food but along the line of my previous work experience. Am I sad about not having gone through about that biz idea? Not really, because it's not as if I stopped cooking. But for a brief moment, it made me really think...

Now in fashion, there's always a starting point when dressing up. I happen to be the person who, when pressed for time and unsure what to wear, starts with the shoes. So, I guess it goes without saying, in the kitchen, when pressed for time and unsure what to make for dinner, I start with the starter/side dish.

...Got me thinking about some of the stuff that I've made thus far since I started this online journey, and how, now, can't wait to make other stuff...

Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm...

Please Do Not Disturb (in a very short while)

As I've mentioned a couple of days ago, my favorite show is airing it's new episode today for the season. I've PVR'd it so in a few minutes, I'll be propping myself on the couch, and believe me, nobody better disturb me, hah-hah... Nah, what's the pause button for after all!

Ive always told people I'm a product of TV. I'm not saying I'm proud of that. And, no, no, not that my entire childhood is spent in front of the TV, but something happened I guess after we moved to Canada. I suppose cable channels are to blame... Anyways, that deserves discussion another day. For now,

courtesy of victorystore.com

Bwahaha!!!

What Not to Wear

In honor of their new season starting:p, I cannot not talk about this show! Needless to say, I lurv lurv lurv this show, What Not to Wear!!!



courtesy of tvrage.com

It all started when we were living in the US. I came across an article in a magazine, may have been Vogue (surprise!), that talked about a certain Trinny and Susannah and a show called What Not to Wear. I knew then we had to subscribe to BBC America!:) In short, I was hooked since then!

Then came the North American version. Does anybody remember that Wayne dude? That's his name, right? hehe... Initially, I thought the TLC version paled in comparison to the original version. But I still watched it. How can I not? To me, for the first time, it's combining what I love with the real world. I love this show so much that I even got some of their books. Yes, just some, ok... thank god!

Trinny & Susannah of the original (UK) version



Clinton & Stacy of the TLC version

I no longer have access {un}fortunately to the UK version, but I've never stopped watching Stacy and Clinton (yes, even when they switched days!). Oh, Clinton Kelly!!! I just heart that guy! Of course, I love Stacy too! But Clinton just cracks me up! Gotta love his wit! I follow him (and Stacy too, actually) on Facebook, surprise, surprise; and Tweeter, although I hardly use it:p; Tumblr? Ooh, maybe I should check, hah! And seriously, if I have an iphone (I'm a bbm gal), I probably(?) would have bought his app from the day it came out. LOL.

People close to me knows this is like an obsession, ahem. I don't care! There are a few things I obsess over, but this is one of them, I admit...

Seriously, how can you not like a show that aims to make people look and feel better about themselves. Detractors out there think that this may be all superficial. I disagree. If you really examine it, the contributors (listen to me! I even use their lingo!... one of us! one of us!) are mainly caught in this vicious cycle of looking what they're feeling deep down about themselves, which continues to undermine their worth as time goes on. Some of these women have overcome huge obstacles and put others' needs over theirs; yet they put so little value on themselves. Consequently, and sadly, they look it too.

Granted there may be far more worthy cause, but there is also nothing wrong with making women feel good about themselves because they look nice and making women look nice because they feel good about themselves. It's not about ego. It's just another form of empowerment. And when one feels empowered, one is motivated to do things, change things, improve things...

A win-win situation, I say. Cheers!

Food for Thought

Literally! HAH!... For lunch today, I ended up at this place again. I couldn't decide what to eat so I went for the safe choice. And I figure, since I was there, I might as well pick these up as part of dinner. I thought, perfect way to kick-start the weekend...



chicken and pork empanadas

 ...and...



chicken and pork barbeque

This is my concept of barbeque, growing up. It really is grilled meat. I suppose this is our version of kebab. Only sweeter... Yummmmm!!!

And speaking of more food, as soon as I got home, the TV is tuned in to Food Network, of course. Oh, Food Network! I seriously cannot remember any more what it was like before Food Network. How sad is that? Whatever jokes're out there, they can talk lip all they want, I like it, ok? When I'm at home, and just wants to relax, like tonight, my fingers just reached for the remote and tune in. Some people listen to music, I watch Food Network heehee...

courtesy of wikipedia.org

Now this show has got to be one of my favorites. I really wish they will do a Canadian version of this show. I mean, with Guy Fieri (gotta love that dude!) still doing it but just featuring Canadian spots. Why not?!?! Are there no such places here?!? On second thought, that may not be such a good idea after all, what with the possibility of having too many places to check out, all in the name of flavour, tut-tut...