iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #73

In honour of it getting cold in Southern Ontario, I'm making this week's playlist all about winter, snow, and staying warm....'cause baby, it's cold outside.

1. In the Cold, Cold Night by The White Stripes - This song, sung by Meg White, is one of my favourites by her. It also fits well with the theme.

2. Snow (Hey Oh) by Red Hot Chili Peppers - This song is pretty much about Anthony's drug addicted past, and longing to wipe his slate clean. There's something pure about fresh, untouched snow.

3. Lover in the Snow by Rivers Cuomo - Ever the literal songwriter, Rivers literally wrote a song about a lover in the snow. Actually, it's about catching a lover cheating...in the snow.

4. One Match by Sarah Harmer - This song goes with the overall theme of the album, Oh Little Fire. It seems to be about a last ditch effort to save a dying relationship. She sings, "if I only had one match left, I'd try to light it between us."

5. Words and Fire by Sam Roberts - Basically chose this because it has fire in the title. This one, funny enough, seems to also be a song about saving a dying or dead relationship.

6. Shelter from the Storm by Bob Dylan - There's a lot going on in this song - religion is a theme for sure. It's a Dylan classic.

7. Winter Winds by Mumford and Sons - "Was it love or fear of the cold that led us through the night?" Seems to be about someone trying not to confuse love with lonely desperation. And ultimately listening to his head and saying no for once. At least that's what I got out of it.

8. Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels) by Arcade Fire - I love the imagery in this song. You'd have to have grown up somewhere cold for this to resinate, but I can see the snow tunnels when I listen to this song.

9. Frozen in my Tracks by The Tragically Hip - Has "frozen" in the title. It's a good song too.

10. Violet Hill by Coldplay - The opening lines of this song pretty much speak for themselves as to why this is included.

Also, I'll tease next week's list: It will be Broken Social Scene inspired.

Weekend (Postcrossing) Update #52

This postcard came from Japan! I love Japanese art - it looks modern and ancient at the same time. Again, if you're new to this blog, I get these postcards mailed to me because I do this: Postcrossing.

Updates?

Funny how boring life is right now, but how much I've got planned for December. I should enjoy the silence.

Um, Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends. I feel weird about this because my Thanksgiving was over a month ago. We eat the same food, only we watch less football. I hope none of you got trampled on Black Friday.

Oh yeah, the hockey season is in full swing and my team is doing not too shabby. As I type this Montreal is beating Buffalo 3-0 in the third. Booya! And my #2 team, Ottawa, is beating Toronto 3-0. Booya x 2!

Oh, and I'm feeling kinda grinchy this holiday season. I just don't feel the joy...I only feel like I'm being pressured to have fun. Am I crazy? Is it nuts to not feel happy about Christmas this year? I feel like it's just planning, and re-arranging, and figuring out what to buy people. Christmas shopping is usually my favourite part! But this year I feel like just shopping online and calling the whole thing off!

Okay, so you guys need to give me some holiday cheer! Seriously! I'm home on a Saturday night feeling pretty damn sorry for myself, but I really just want a day to do nothing!

Also, my beloved Samsung Galaxy S Android phone is on the fritz! It's likely a battery issue. FML.

It snowed here for the first time this season today. Also, for those of you who don't know - I don't own my own car. I walk the 30 minute walk to work five days a week, and today was not pleasant. It wasn't so much the snow as it was the wind. The icy snow flying into my face was not fun.

I looked like this:

My hands were freezing holding my phone.

Lastly, I have a question for you readers. Where did you find me? I've noticed a few new commenters lately - and it's hard for me to keep track sometimes. Did you find me on 20-something Bloggers? Through another blog? Did you happen upon my collab blog The Transatlantic Support Group? Let me know in the comments.

Also, on December 1st I will start my photo month-long photo project again. I will post the photos on Sunday again - like I did in June.

Too Soon To Start Planning Christmas? (Poll Results) + Some other stuff

Yes
0 (0%)


No
7 (87%)


Sort of
1 (12%)

I may have voted "sort of" in my own poll. Mainly because I think it's too soon to have Christmas trees and lights up. It's not even December. BUT I did say "plan" so yeah, I guess it's good to plan ahead!

December is coming up and I just wanted to share with you some exciting things I'll be up to...

• I'm thinking about doing the "Take a photo everyday for a month" challenge again. It wouldn't be for my 101 list, as I've already completed that. What do you think? December edition of photos?

• I'm seeing Broken Social Scene in two weeks! So exciting (I have a pre-concert post planned, and possibly a playlist for the week of).

• I get to see my university friends! It's been our tradition - ever since second year when we all met - to have a christmas celebration together. It's hard to plan, but it's happening come hell or high water!

• Various gatherings and such.

• Possibly going for New Year's Eve in a limo to Toronto. Yet to be determined, but I have a party dress...so bring it on!

Happy American Thanksgiving.

Lauren...I hope you get to pumpkin pie it up!

I Get World Sick

"I get world sick everything I take a stand."
- Broken Social Scene, "World Sick"

So last week I posted a political post about my displeasure with the Canadian government and the Senate. After I wrote that post I saw that The David Suzuki Foundation had posted a letter you could send your MP (VIA email) and it would CC several party leaders. I sent this letter to my MP - who's a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. Today I received a reply and I must say it was rather disheartening.

Dear Ms. *******,


Thank you for your e-mail regarding Bill C-311.


Our government has been very consistent and very clear in our opposition to this completely irresponsible bill. However, Government Senators were participating in the debate to send the bill to committee for further study. It was at this point that Liberal Senator Grant Mitchell called an immediate Second Reading vote and the bill was defeated by a vote of 43-32.


The Government will not be introducing similar legislation.

Duh...tell me something I didn't know. Yeah, I already knew that the Cons were against this bill, but what I don't understand is why they consider it "irresponsible." That is not explained. Also, I don't appreciate the arrogance of statement: "The Government will not be introducing similar legislation."

But the point of this post isn't to bitch about this subject again, but to tell you how defeated I feel whenever I get involved in a political issue. I feel that because I am a liberal, left of centre, feminist, a lot of the issues I feel strongly about are not the top priority for those in power. It's hard to care about something when you know it will never come to fruition. It's hard to believe that those in power have our best interest at heart when they make decisions. I feel like money is all that matters and keeping those who have it happy.

I've made choices in my life - choices to do things my own way. Choices that won't afford me a lavish life later. I will always be scraping by, and I'm okay with that. This is why I'm angered by greed. People compromising themselves for their piece of the pie. Wear a tie, get an MBA, work for a big corporation, buy a house, get a car.

Anyways, I just get sad when I feel my voice isn't heard. I can't talk about the environment, or speak out against the war without someone trying to tell me I'm wrong. That I'm unpatriotic for having an opinion that goes against the status quo.

I understand why people stay out of politics - it only breaks your heart.

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #72

Having a bad day? Week? Month? Year?

I'm here for you...and so are these tunes.

1) Bad Days by The Flaming Lips
"You have to sleep late when you can, and all your bad days will end." - I believe that lack of sleep in the main source of my bad days.

2) Shiny Happy People by R.E.M.
A silly little song that Michael is mostly embarrassed about now, but I feel like it has it's place in their catalogue. It cheers me up and makes me want to dance around.

3) Ob-la-di-ob-la-da by The Beatles
Oh, come on, I defy you not to smile and bob your head. Come on!

4) Music is My Hot Hot Sex by CSS
Ignore the fact that this was used in an Apple ad and see this for what it really is. A cheesy Euro pop song about how great music is.

5) Changes by David Bowie
Cha-cha-cha-changes! Oh Bowie :)

6) Dog Days are Over by Florence + The Machine
Thought I'd include something new to this list. This song makes me smile when it comes on the radio. I love hearing strong female voices on the radio outside of standard top 40.

7) Make You Feel Better by Red Hot Chili Peppers
This song is about how the band felt about fans telling them that their music helped them. They realized that these songs have more power than they ever thought. It's so true.

8) Smile by Lily Allen
Good song about how dumb boys are.

9) Canned Heat by Jamiroquai
Makes me think of that scene in Napoleon Dynamite. Yeah, you know the one.

10) Make Your Own Kind of Music by Mama Cass Phillips
This is my philosophy in life.

What are your cheer up songs?

I (Heart) Hats

I was just watching Boardwalk Empire - my new HBO obsession - and I really want to walk along the boardwalk of Atlantic City in 1920, arm in arm with a man in a three piece suit. I'd be wearing a enormous hat of course.

Oh, and the guy should probably look like this.

I love hats. I always have. From when I was little to when I used to obsess over the show Blossom, to now - where I wear straw asymmetrical fedoras for photos and use them as my Blogger profile picture.

I also love hats on guys. If I see a guy rocking a newsboy flat cap my heart skips a beat. Even a fedora can be sexy if worn on the right head. There's a swagger that comes with wearing a hat - and I like that. Unfortunately, I don't have the balls to pull off most hats. I'm not bold enough to just rock a crazy hat in public, mostly because I don't like drawing attention.

One New Year's Eve I wore a fedora, pin striped capris, fish nets, a silk cami, and a shiny black jacket, and red lipstick. I feel like I can only wear dramatic fashion statements on holidays. I really just want to dress like this everyday.

When I was in high school I bought a green felt 1920s style hat from The Gap. I thought I was being different and fashion forward - but some other students thought it looked like I was wearing an army helmet, so I never wore it again.

Maybe I should get it out again. Do the charleston and have a couple gin and tonics and stop caring what other people think.

My grandfather also had a thing for hats. When he passed away I had his box of hats and after the funeral my whole family tried various ones on. He had Scottish tams, an Australian outback hat, Legion berets, flat caps, Tilly hats, mesh back hats, you name it. He came from an era of hat wearing men and woman and I am jealous.

My family said this one suited me.

My grandpa.

Weekend (Postcrossing) Update #50 & 51

It's been a couple of weeks, but I'm back with an update...and not much has happened.

This postcard comes from London, England and I love it. I want that umbrella! I got this postcard because of postcrossing.

What have I been doing?

* Dog/Cat/Housesitting

Bogart - the giant Labradoodle!

* Weekly Quiz Night at the pub
* Bought a New Years dress for the first time ever...trying to cross #10 off of my 101 in 1001 list.
* Started reading the Scott Pilgrim graphic novels (Mr. O, you promised you would too.)
* Got a mani-pedi!

Pedicure!

* Added new items to my Etsy Shop: Quarter-Life Crafts

Gift tags!

* I feel really grumpy tonight, so I plan to be completely anti-social and stay in watching PVR'd episodes of House I have saved up.

WTF Canada? (This is the post where I get political)

Okay, so I can't blame Canada for this, who I'm really mad at is our Prime Minster and his puppet Senate.

Why am I pissed off today? Well, I read this article.

Basically a climate change bill, that was passed by our elected parliament in the House of Commons, was struck down by the senate last night. FML.

To my non-Canadian friends, I will explain.

In Canadian Parliament we have two houses, upper and lower. The Lower House is made up of elected officials - Members of Parliament (MPs). Right now we are in a Conservative minority government. This means that The Cons have the most seats, but not enough to be declared a majority because the opposing parties together have more seats. These other parties are The Liberal Party of Canada (the Official opposition), The New Democratic Party, The Bloc Quebecois, and two Independents. When the NDP brought this climate change bill to the table it was voted in by the opposing parties, while the conservatives voted against it. Last night, the senate killed it.

What is the Upper House? Well that is the senate. When I go to vote on election day I vote for my MP. Senators have a sweet life in that they are appointed and can rot away in their seats for years. Who appoints them? Symbolically they are appointed by The Governor General. The GG represents the Queen in Parliament, since she is still our Sovereign. But, the GG makes his selection based on the suggestions of the Prime Minister. Right now the Conservatives just barely control the senate - making it easy for Stephen Harper to use them to strike down things he doesn't like.

As you may have guessed, I'm not a conservative supporter. If you are, hear me out. The thing that bothers me most about this isn't just that something I believe in got struck down, it's that an unelected entity did it. I didn't get to vote for this senate - they don't represent the people, therefore it's not democratic.

I hope these slimy moves don't go unnoticed and that our next election will bring us some change and a government that works.

End of rant.

Sorry guys.

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #71

In honour of me FINALLY seeing Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, I have created a playlist dedicated entirely to fictional bands from movies! Yeah, there will be several from Scott Pilgrim.

1. Love Comes and Goes by Stillwater - Almost Famous: I didn't choose "Fever Dog" because that seemed too obvious. Almost Famous is one of my all time, top 10, favourite movies. So good!

2. Man of Constant Sorrow by The Soggy Bottom Boys - Oh, Brother Where Art Thou?: Gotta love this blue grass ditty from one of George Clooney's strangest films. It's awesome.

3. That Thing You Do by The Wonders - That Thing You Do: A film about a Beatles era rock and roll band. I saw this when it came out, so over 10 years ago. I should really see it again.

4. Teacher's Pet by School of Rock - School of Rock: Say what you want about Jack Black, but I love him.

5. I'm Nuthin' by Hey That's My Bike - Reality Bites: Ethan Hawke actually sings this one and he's created for it on the soundtrack. He plays two songs in the film with the band, the other is a cover of Violent Femmes's "Add it Up."

6. Furry Walls by Infant Sorrow - Get Him to The Greek (also Forgetting Sarah Marshall - but not this song): What inspires this song is one of the funniest moments in comedy. Just pet the furry wall! Aldous Snow is ridiculous and hilarious.

7. Sweet Ballad by Munchausen by Proxy - Yes Man: I love Zooey Deschanel and I love this crazy quirky band her character Allison (yes!) is in. I also wish I was in her jogging photography club.

8. Black Sheep by The Clash at Demonhead - Scott Pilgrim VS. The World: This is a song by Metric, but sung by the actress in the film.

9. Garbage Truck by Sex Bob-Omb - Scott Pilgrim VS. The World: This is Scott's band in the film. The music was written by Beck.

10. We Hate You, Please Die by Crash and The Boys - Scott Pilgrim VS. The World: This is the first battle of the bands opponent. Broken Social Scene wrote the songs for this band, but it really sounds nothing like them.

Honourable mentions:

- Sonic Death Monkey/Berry Jive and the Uptown Five from High Fidelity
- Wyld Stallyn from the Bill & Ted movies
- Loveburger from Can't Hardly Wait (even though they never got to play).

Also, check out my older movie music playlist.

Any I forgot?

You're Probably Soooo Over Halloween By Now, But...(Poll Results)

Here are the things you said you liked most about Halloween:

Candy
5 (71%)
Over the past few weeks I have had entirely too many mini chocolate bars!

Dressing Up
4 (57%)
I don't normally partake, but this year I was a cat.

Drinking
4 (57%)
This just goes hand-in-hand with the dressing up (at least when you're an adult).

Seeing kids dressed up
2 (28%)
Some of them are cute.

Carving Pumpkins
3 (42%)
I take this to extreme levels!

Decorating
2 (28%)
I used to wrap my porch in that webbing stuff, but not anymore.

Going to a haunted house
2 (28%)
No!

Watching Scary Movies
0 (0%)
Also a No!

Halloween TV Specials
2 (28%)
I like the Charlie Brown one, and I used to watch this Raggedy Ann and Andy one about a sad pumpkin who cried seeds.

Other
1 (14%)
Such as?

Toronto on The Big Screen

So I finally saw Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World and it made me smile. The plot was cute, but what really got me was how at home I felt watching it. It was not only filmed, but takes place in my own backyard - Toronto, Ontario.

Now Toronto has gained a reputation of being something of a Hollywood North - a place where American productions come to film versions of New York or Boston or Chicago. They dress the city up and it's no longer Toronto. Toronto is really only ever shown as itself in Canadian films - and most Americans never get to see these. I have a special place in my heart for (some) Canadian films - but I feel like they only get appreciated here.

Scott Pilgrim is based on a series of graphic novels (that I haven't read) and from what I'm told (thanks Jeanette!) they take place in Toronto. So it's only natural that the film version would as well.  On IMDB.com the film is cross-listed as a US, UK, and Canadian production - produced by an American company, directed by a Brit, and filmed in Canada and starring a Canadian lead. This film was widely distributed - but I can't help but smile over the little things that my American friends just wouldn't get.

Here were my Canadiana (or Torontonian) observations:

* Honest Ed's - Honest Ed's is a huge tacky bargain store that's located at Bloor and Bathhurst, you can't miss it. It's seen in the background several times during the film.

* Pizza Pizza - This is a popular pizza place in Ontario. The characters are seen eating here or walking by it several time.

* Second Cup - This is Canada's answer to Starbuck's (yes, we also have Starbuck's). It was started by a former homeless alcoholic! Scott's sister works at a Second Cup, and incidentally, so do I.

* Classic CBC T-shirt - Scott wears several logo t-shirts throughout the film, but only a keen-eyed Canuck can spot the CBC t-shirt. The one in the link isn't exact, but same logo.

* Casa Loma - In the scene where Scott fights ex-boyfriend #2 a movie is being shot at Casa Loma. I've never actually been here, but it's one of those classic Toronto tourist spots.

* Lee's Palace - Scott's ex, Envy, plays this venue with her band The Clash at Demonhead. It's a real club in Toronto and is pretty well known.

* Canadian Coins - So if you've seen the film you know that every time Scott defeats an evil ex they turn into coins. At the end when he defeats his last opponent you see him lying on the floor with a sprinkling of coins. These coins probably look fake to you. Nope, they are Canadian coins - loonies, toonies, and other small change.

* Brampton, Ontario - The first rival band (Crash and The Boys) are from Brampton, Ontario. This is also where leading man Michael Cera is from.

* Canadian Bands - Broken Social Scene and Metric both lend their musical stylings to the fictional bands in the film (Crash and The Boys and The Clash at Demonhead respectively).

* The TTC - Scott takes the subway and I'd recognize those red chairs anywhere.

That's all I can think of! Hope you enjoyed this and I'm really glad I finally got to see the movie.

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #70

This is my 70th Playlist!!!! Can you believe I've had it in me to make 70 of these? Me neither. Maybe I should plan something special for the 75th - It will be my playlist's diamond anniversary. Suggestions? Have any of you discovered new music because of these? If so, let me know in the comments!

Okay, so last weekend was Halloween - and I was a cat. I am also pet-sitting all week, and I have already done a dog themed playlist, so why not a cat one? Also, I have two cats - Lily and Minnie.

1. Lovecats by The Cure - So cute!

2. Mean-eyed Cat by Johnny Cash - Not much to do with cats, but the woman in the song has a mean-eyed cat.

3. Three Cool Cats - The Beatles (cover) - I've always loved this cover by Pete Best era Beatles.

4. Stray Cat Strut by The Stray Cats - This was the first song I thought of when thinking of cat songs - not sure how it ended up #4.

5. What's New Pussycat? by Tom Jones - For the cheese factor.

6. Stray Cat Blues by The Rolling Stones - This song isn't about a cat - it's pretty much about underage sex. This probably belongs on last week's list.

7. Cat Scratch Fever by Ted Nugent - I think this song is about getting STDs...gross.

8. Cat and Mouse by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - And now for something a little more...emo. Relationship song and all that comes with that.

9. Meow Meow Lullaby by Nada Surf - Cutest song on this playlist. Go to YouTube or download this now. So, so cute. It was written for kids.

10. Purr by Sonic Youth - Has purr in the title.

Meow!
                          _
                                | \
                                | |
                                | |
           |\                   | |
          /, ~\                / /
         X     `-.....-------./ /
          ~-. ~  ~              |
             \             /    |
              \  /_     ___\   /
              | /\ ~~~~~   \ |
              | | \        || |
              | |\ \       || )
             (_/ (_/      ((_/

Weekend (Postcrossing) Update #49

Finally posting this...not that anyone cares what I did this week, but I feel like I've got a little weekly ritual going here and it just feels wrong to stop.

To kick things off, the postcard:

This card comes from the Czech Republic.

I am not at home, I haven't been home since Friday morning (and briefly Friday evening to pick up some stuff). I won't be home again until Sunday evening. Why? I am Allison Ventura: Pet Sitter (sorry for that terrible joke). But seriously, I am dog sitting all week, and all weekend I was dog and cat sitting for someone else.

But let's back it up and talk about all the things I did this week:

Monday: I went to Pub Quiz night at my favourite local. This is something I'm going to try to do more of this year. My team, "Team Beard," named for my friend who has grown some discussing hobo trucker jesus lumberjack facial hair. We came in fourth out of seven teams. Me and this other girl basically carried the team, while beardy ate nachos. My other friends - including Rob - played on their own team. Tomorrow night we might have to switch things up - maybe make a girls team or something. Team name suggestions if I don't stick by "Team Beard"? It will hopefully be "Team Clean Shaven."

*Shameless Plug*Also, I post every Monday at The Transatlantic Support Group. This is my collab blog with lalalalauren and TbR. And it's been really fun. It's all about the 20-something experience from the perspective of three people from different places. We do different topics each week - so check us out if you haven't already! Last week we all posted about relationships which was tough, but fun experience.*Shameless Plug*

Tuesday to Friday - I basically worked all week. I'm sure some really trivial things happened. Creepy George came in to my work everyday and creeped everyone out as per usual.

I watched Sex and the City 2 - it was good (for a chick flick). I mean, I can't really relate to any of the characters. You know how everyone thinks "I'm a Samantha," "I'm such a Charlotte." I don't really feel like I'm like any of them. Maybe Carrie...only I would have never married a man like Mr. Big. I did like the theme of "what do you do after you get what you want?" I thought it was a bit too perfect at the end though - nothing changed. I hope they're done with these movies though...let's not drag this out longer than necessary. Hang up your high heels, ladies.

Um, I feel bad that I'm ripping you guys off in terms of content here...hmm...what else can I tell you?

Recent additions to my music collection:

- Dog Days are Over by Florence and The Machine

- Tomi Swick's Patchwork EP - His song "And to the Devil" has a very Killers/Muse sound to it.

- Train Song by Ben Gibbard & Feist - This is a cover of a song I'd never heard before, but since I discovered it I've been obsessed.

In a month I'll be seeing Broken Social Scene at Sound Academy in Toronto. I'm hoping that the whole band shows up for the hometown show - Feist, members of Stars, members of Metric etc. Might not happen, but I read they tend to show up for Toronto shows. I need to find something plaid to wear.

Okay so - Tell me what I should re-name my Pub Quiz Team if "Team Beard" doesn't happen again? And what's new on your iTunes (or music player)?

Oh, and Scott Pilgram comes out on DVD on Tuesday. Lauren and Jeanette: I will try my hardest to get a hold of a copy!

There will be no updates next weekend due to the fact that I'm not at home - I won't get my mail until Sunday. I'll just do a double update the following week.

The Pantry Personality Test

I don't think I mentioned this before but I am pet-sitting currently. I'm staying at my parent's friend's house and watching their massive labradoodle, Bogart, and their sweet furry kitty, Tyson. Tomorrow I will leave here and go to another couple's house and look after their house and dog, Dawson (I've watched him before - he even got a playlist dedicated to him). I'm becoming something of a semi-professional dog sitter.

Staying at someone else's house can be strange - where are the light switches? How does the shower work? It's cold, where are the blankets?

Now, while most people think the medicine cabinet is where you can really find out about someone, I don't think you have to be that sneaky. Just look in their kitchen.

House A has more snack foods, while House B is stocked with wheat-free and organic EVERYTHING.

House A doesn't have a kettle (By the way, I discovered my tea habit has become an addiction - felt like ass this morning not having my tea!) and House B doesn't have a microwave.

House A has a coffee maker, House B does not (they might have some sort of french press type thing though).

They both have gas stoves. Gas stoves scare me.

Both have fancy stainless steel fridges.

House A has a toaster oven, House B has a toaster.

Anyways, I won't be back at my house until next Sunday evening. My parents will be picking me up from dog sitting and driving to my great aunts (picking up my brother in Toronto on the way). I will get to see my grandma and her three sisters together for the first time in over four years. Is it bad that I can't wait for next Sunday night when I can sleep in my own bed?

I Don't Want to Be A Hot Girl

"She's so hot" is a phrase used by many men in the presence of woman not regarded as such. Now, while this might hurt the feelings of the presumably "Not Hot" girl, I say embrace your status as a non-hot chick!

The way I see it is, yeah, while it might be nice to be considered hot - do you really want to be known for just that? Do you really want to deal with the maintenance that goes with being a hot girl? So really, you should feel sorry for hot girls - they have so much to live up to. 

I personally would rather be considered intelligent, interesting, awesome, funny, beautiful, talented, creative...anything but hot. I'd settle for sexy, but not hot. Sexy seems to imply that there's something mysterious going on that you want to know about but are afraid to ask, while hot just implies a surface level appreciation of someone's physical appearance. I'm not an empty vessel, I have a mind. I have opinions and ideas! Sure hot girls might also have these things, but no one seems to notice because they're too busy trying to get hotter.

Being called hot is like being told you're nice. It's a word that doesn't mean much. It's boring, it lacks creativity and thought. It's just an empty compliment that might feel good at first, but will probably fail to make you happy in the long run.

So ladies, don't fret if you think a guy won't like you because he didn't call you hot. You probably don't want him anyways. Not being considered hot does not mean you're ugly. He's probably afraid of your intelligence and knows these types of tricks don't work on smart girls.

I Used to Be All Right

I stole this from Kim at Gathers No Moss, who stole it from someone else. I don't normally post memes but I like the idea behind this one and it fits with my blog.

The idea is that you post your very first Facebook photo and your current one and see how you've changed.

Added December 14, 2006. But it was taken April 22, 2006.

When I added this photo I was 22 and in my fourth and final year at York University. I was living with my friend Leanne in a suite style residence. This photo was taken by my cousin Sara at my grandma's 80th birthday party. My hair was dyed dark red, with red and blond highlights. I was still living the carefree student life and wasn't really worried about the future. I was freaking out about essays and assignments.

Taken on October 30, 2010 and posted on Nov 1, 2010.

This photo was taken at a Halloween party this past weekend. I went to a party with a bunch of people who went to my high school who I never talked to in high school, but now I think they're awesome people. I think it just shows that people change with age - and I've changed too. Old Allison would never have done this. Basically here is where my life is at right now: I'm not working at a job that I care about and that gets me down, but because of this job I have met some amazing and fun people and because of that I feel like my life sucks less. It might seem immature, but I'm not ready to settle down yet anyways. Why does life have to be so serious all the time? I'm a 26-year-old Kitty Cat, so what?

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #69

Last week - my biggest supporter of iTunes Playlist Tuesday, Mr. O, asked me if this week's list would be sexually suggestive songs. I was all, "huh?" at first, but then I got it. Lightbulb! "Duh, it's the 69th playlist!"

In a message later he told me he was thinking of more subtlety sexy songs, but it was too late...my mind was already in the gutter, musically.

1. Sir Psycho Sexy by Red Hot Chili Peppers - This song is so vulgar I have to remember to skip it when it comes on sometimes - when certain people are in the room. It's not at all subtle! As a woman, this song should really offend me...but my love for RHCPs makes it easy to forgive. Anthony is still a manwhore who only dates models - but whatever.

2. Heterosexual Man by The Odds - And now for some Canadian content! This is an amusing song about how because he's a heterosexual man he just wants to have sex all the time. Is this purposely hyperbolic or just a man being honest?

3. Sex Type Thing by Stone Temple Pilots - Though I don't really like the lyric: "You wouldn't want me to have to hurt you too..." (I hope he means emotionally), this song is about carnal urges and stuff.

4. Why Don't We Do it in the Road? by The Beatles - This song was written after Paul saw two monkeys doing it in the middle of the road in India. He thought about how simple it is in the animal kingdom, and how complicated humans have made it. Now, I get what he's saying - but I don't think we need to be humping like monkeys.

5. Lover's Spit by Broken Social Scene - Well, this is a pretty little ditty about oral sex. But it appears to be about how apathetic these types of relationships can be. "You know it's time to grow old and do some shit." It seems like it's about someone who's tired of meaningless sex.

6. Lover, You Should Have Come Over by Jeff Buckley - This song isn't about sex, but it's about lost love, but still having hope. Like if she'd just came over he would have tried to repair it. I know this doesn't really fit with the 69 list, but the title does - sorta.

7. Katherine Kiss Me by Franz Ferdinand - This song is an incarnation of their song "No You Girls." Some of the lyrics are the same, but this is a slower acoustic song. This song is more tender than "No You Girls," The line, "Kiss me where your eyes don't meet me," is what made me include this on the list.

8. The Chemicals Between Us by Bush - This song just makes me think of sex scenes from movies.

9. Make it Wit Chu by Queens of the Stone Age - I think we just threw subtlety out the window, if we haven't already.

10. You Shook me All Night Long by The Lost Fingers - This is a cover version of the AC/DC song by French-Canadian Blue Grass band The Lost Fingers. The album is called Lost in the 80s and it's fantastic.