tannertan36
I'd rather be in outer space 🛸
Mike Driver
Discoholic 🪩
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i don't do bad sauce passes
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Peter Solarz
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Lint Roller? I Barely Know Her
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Not today Justin
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AnasAbdin
One Nice Bug Per Day
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@janeman
Really enjoyed reading this Business Insider article tonight: a Q&A with HubSpot CEO Brian Halligan on creating a great culture, engaging millennials, and building a great company.
Also a great read: HubSpot's Awesome Presentation Shows How To Create A 21st Century Culture
I will not marry until i find somebody who can do this with me.
I think this needs to be a thing in my daily life. Time to tell my HIMYM-loving bf. He'll approve.
six months later | day 182 of 2013
“We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come.”
— Joseph Campbell
Today, we say happy birthday to Canada.
And I begin writing again, after a six-month absence on my blog. That's not to say I haven't been writing...in my head. Ideas are always forming; random words always evolve into sentences, into paragraphs, and into what seem like could be semi-interesting writing pieces that I can reflect on months years later and be relatively proud of. Finally, I'm writing. Is this evidence of how desperately I need to unwind? Finally, I have time, to myself, to sit in front of my computer on my day off and let words flow through my fingers onto this clunky keyboard.
This long weekend has been one of mixed emotions. I only returned from an incredible week of vacation with my boyfriend one week ago today. It was our first holiday together; one that we had been counting down to for some time. We both desperately needed to disconnect and unplug, from our work, from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan city. It's still hard to believe we have already experienced our first vacation alone despite having only dated for several months. I'm beyond ecstatic that we did.
There's no getting used to a relationship of long distance. After a week together, uninterrupted, in one of the most beautiful and relaxing places I have ever been, it's been even tougher coping with being apart this past week—the first of three consecutive weeks, the longest time we would be physically apart since we began dating. Thankfully, the distance between Toronto, CA and Cambridge, UK is shrunken dramatically by technology; just a few hours ago, we Skyped for nearly an hour and caught up on all of last week's events in both of our lives. I suppose my parents must be experts at this, this long distance thing, what with making the Pacific seem non-existent with daily phone calls and now daily text messages for over a decade.
But I never thought I would be in a long distance relationship.
No, I should rephrase: I never thought I would be in a long distance relationship at this point in my life.
Let's try that again: I never thought I would be in a relationship at this point in my life that, from day one, threatens to begins with over 5,000 kilometers between us.
As much as I despise the distance and protest being apart, I remind myself that our separation is healthy. Not for one second do I take him for granted, and I'm grateful we are able to communicate as much as we already do. (Despite all the pouting and eyelash-batting that I do. Sorry, babe.)
Minimal communication due to his hockey tournament this past weekend was not easy. I'm so accustomed to everyone and everything being so constantly accessible, 24/7. In addition to the mountain of other stress-causing factors, being unable to get in touch and be reminded that I'm wanted and loved seemed like another thorn in my side. The lack of reassurance seemed detrimental—but to what? For what reason?
This all seems so silly. The need for reassurance, the need to be so excessively connected all the time. I remind myself that I did not for a second feel the need to reach for my smartphone while I was in Punta Cana. I remind myself that for an entire week I forgot about logging onto Twitter, or that I even had a Twitter account. I remind myself that there are little things that I can concern myself with, like things immediately in front of me, like my messy room that I should take the time to clean (or my game of Candy Crush Saga that now has full lives. Just kidding. Sort of.)
And as I continue to type while wondering what the point is to this blog post, I realize the time I've wasted after dancing back-and-forth from my computer to my bedside window in hopes of catching a short glimpse of Canada Day firework from a nearby park every time I heard booms of explosion. There is still so much to do before I head to bed. This day has not been as productive as it could have been, not that I had very many plans. I needed a full day to myself. The only thing I intended to do today was Skype with my boyfriend. That, I successfully accomplished. Yay?
There are so many things present in my life today that I would not have guessed would happen to me six months ago. I could not have planned for any of this. I lead a far-from-perfect life, but I know I am privileged, happier, and more successful than a lot of people I know. I don't intend to sound pompous when I say I'm successful...but to have a loving, healthy family, a magnificent boyfriend who still cares for me from across the Atlantic, and an incredibly fun job, what more could I possibly ask for?
Nothing. I couldn't.
To new friendships, new challenges, new opportunities, a new life.
the first of firsts | day 1 of 2013
“It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live.”
— Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
Today is the first of firsts.
It's the first day of a new year—a year that I know will be marvelous, because I’ll be forced into a new chapter of my life in which countless obstacles and adventures are awaiting me. I’m no fan of the new year’s countdown and insist it’s just another day; yet, I love this clean slate, this fresh start, and like every year I looked forward to cracking open a new agenda book that I can fill with what will become memories.
But let me start with this: I am awful at new year resolutions. I never bother making them, because I will, without fail, forget them by the next day. I also haven't truly had enough time to myself (or the energy) for a long time to do "me" things. Don't get me wrong: it's not as though I was unhappy being a busy-body and constantly being surrounded by people I love and being out at events or shows. Those were great memories; but I miss the self-exploration, the things that make me think, make me grow, and make me, well, me. Things like this—writing. Things like discovering new music (like the New Music Monday posts I used to do). Or things like reading popular culture critiques, watching nerdy documentaries or biopics, and spending hours reading Wiki articles about wars and international conflicts.
I suppose in 2013 I want to write more. We'll start with that. (And see how long this lasts.) About my experiences, thoughts, the joyful occasions, unfortunate mishaps—all the memories that I will form in these 365 days with family and friends. I have much to look forward to this year. I'm excited to spend time with those I love and those I will learn to love.
I'm writing all formal-like and pretending all my posts will be this intellectual and mature, but lord knows that won't be the case. Far from. And this is all so cheesy anyway. I get into these moods...
My first day was spent with family, with lots of laughter and tears. I can't recall the last time I went to the cinema with my mum and sis. But today we watched the beautiful Les Misérables. I bawled my eyes out...and burst out laughing near the end (during the saddest scene, obviously) because I realized the entire theatre was probably doing the same, that we were likely all trying to keep quiet and pretend to not be crying. And then everyone ruined it by clapping when the film ended. Don't be one of those people unless you're at a screening. Please.
More like this to come I hope. Writing daily will also force me to make every day memorable. At some point I might have to get creative...or enlist help. Any takers?
And oh man, that Eddie Redmayne captures my heart every damn time.
Melanie C. ft. Emma Bunton - I Know Him So Well
My new favourite song.
Never too late.
I believe.
Go to *The Peak* and enter the clouds.. Share a place you recommend.
Find me at *Sugar Beach* just lake, sand, and me.. Where does everybody know your name?
HANDMADE TYPE a typography experiment by Tien-Min Liao
Love. This.
Best meme ever. Ironically appropriate.
A fan made this for #OwnTheThrone.
I can't wait to go to Vancouver!
There are many writers out there who will not kick you in the groin.
— George R.R. Martin, screenwriter, author, and co-executive producer of Game of Thrones at "In Conversation With George R.R. Martin" at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto, discussing killing off characters that are fan-favourites.
My absolute favourite quote of the night.
New Music Monday #9 - Merdan Taplak
Truth be told, I knew nothing about Merdan Taplak until 34 hours ago. The Artist Manager of some friends mentioned me in a tweet:
Some Doug, all the way from Canada, just bought @merdantaplak's debut album. Love! #initforthehoney (@janeccman)
Sidenote: Don't you just love Canadian connections? I do. Send them all my way!
My curiosity was immediately piqued. New music? I'm there. Plus, if "some Doug" from Canada liked his music, maybe I will too. I eventually landed on Merdan Taplak's website and on the Video page—since the Music page wouldn't load on my iPhone and I was too lazy to load up my SoundCloud app. The first thing I played was the video above for "Nice to Be A Girl" featuring Eline Mabilde from Gent, Belgium (is everyone from Gent?!) (She's really pretty, by the way.) The song is cute, and, as a girl, I love the lyrics, but the video with the kids playing house puts it over the top. I mean, did you see the way their feet dangled under the table? They couldn't even reach across to play footsies. And the boy wore a fedora to his show and killed it!
Sometimes I wish I was a boy Sometimes I just want to destroy
Merdan is a DJ/producer from Antwerp, and his debut In It For The Honey, which I'm listening to right now on SoundCloud, came out only a month ago. Pretty cool that he's even got Princess Superstar as a guest artist (among others) on the album. There are so many instruments on all the tracks; it blows my mind. I think my favourite, besides "Nice To Be A Girl" is "JIMS".
Honestly. When did I start listening to techno?
Merdan Taplak Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | SoundCloud
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New Music Monday highlights my favourite new musical discoveries. The series will encourage me to actively seek new music and (hopefully) encourage others to open their ears to something new. Got a recommendation? Write me!
New Music Monday #8 - Sucré
I'm only a little over two weeks (16 days to be exact) away from seeing Eisley live again, for the second time. This time, they're performing as part of Canadian Music Week 2012 at the Drake Underground. Boy, I can't wait. I've been listening to—and in love with—Eisley for probably seven or eight years. Their newest album, The Valley (2011), blew me away. Just as I thought they could impress me any further. If you've never heard of Eisley, well, then...yikes. Get on that.
One-fifth of Eisley, Stacy Dupree-King, announced she was working on a new project last year, a project with her husband/drummer Darren King of MUTEMATH (another fantastic band) and Jeremy Larson, best known to me as the talented and beautiful—and one of my favourite bloggers ever—Elsie Larson's husband (not to undermine Jeremy's own talent as he's a fantastic multi-instrumentalist). The project was revealed to be named Sucré, French for "sugar" or "sweet".
I've been anticipating the first single for a long time, and finally the music video premiered today on Spinner (see link above). The video, directed and edited by Darren, is whimsical, light, fantastical, sugary and sweet—perfectly matching the song and Stacy's voice. I love the use of the mirrors, light, and projections. I've been itching to visit Red Velvet (Elsie's store), but now I'm even more tempted to make that trip down south.
Sucré's debut album, A Minor Bird, will be out April 10. I can't wait!
When we were young I never had to carry Those fears I have today You take me when I close my eyes
Sucré Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
—
New Music Monday highlights my favourite new musical discoveries. The series will encourage me to actively seek new music and (hopefully) encourage others to open their ears to something new. Got a recommendation? Write me!
Le cœur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point.
— Blaise Pascal, 17th century French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and Catholic philosopher.
English translation: "The heart has its reasons that reason does not know."
Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like an armor, and it can never be used to hurt you.
— Tyrion Lannister to Jon Snow
Winter is Coming.
Don't judge me, but I just finished episode one of Game of Thrones for the first time. Because I have work that relates to the show and essentially reads the synopsis for every episode, there was really no hurry to catch up. I already knew who kills who, who sleeps with who, and all the other strange things that take place in this fantasy world that George R.R. Martin so brilliantly created. At least I'm certain I will finish the first season before the second season premieres on April 1.
March is Game of Thrones month for me. Not only in anticipation of the new season; the show's consuming my life both personally and work-wise. It's kind of fun though, and after just one episode I can see why people go ga-ga over it.
The throne arrives this week in Toronto, there's going to be a big announcement for Vancouver in the next day or two (keep an eye out on Twitter), and less than a month until it returns on the small screen. Oh boy.
New Music Monday #7 - Horses on Fire
It's Monday, and I'm listening to one of my new favourites on repeat, and—for once—I'm not entirely exhausted from work and le social life, so here I am!
I honestly cannot recall how I found out about Horses on Fire. I also have no idea how popular they are in Belgium. All I know is that for a band that doesn't even have a Wikipedia page, Horses on Fire feels like a band I've listened to for years. I love their album. Love.
They call themselves "Belgium’s best-kept guitar secret. Up until today, at least." I might have to agree with that. They have that vintage rock sound the modern radio desperately needs, to counter all the ridiculous teen pop and angry, dirty hip hop. And I can definitely imagine Horses on Fire becoming a huge hit on 102.1 The Edge. Perhaps, it's their familiarity that has me in love with them. Sadly, I'm awful at pinpointing who bands sound like, i.e. they are a touch of x with a mix of y and the vocals of z. I can't do that. (Which is why I can never be a professional music critic.) You tell me: who do they sound like?
Their untitled debut album was released only three weeks ago on February 6th, 2012. Their Belgium album release show was five days ago, and their Netherlands show isn't even until Thursday. The band is comprised of Thijs De Coledt on guitar, Michélé De Feudis on vocals and guitar, Alessandro De Feudis on drums and Anthony Statius on bass guitar. My three favourite songs on the album are "Draw The Line" (see music video above), "Raw Meat", and "Better Than You". Stream their album in its entirety and tell me which is your favourite.
I also love their music videos. That robot kills me. "I'll 11011 you 'til you drop, love." <- That needs to be on a t-shirt.
If these guys get famous in North America, I want to be credited as the girl who made them that. Keep that in mind, k?
[Edit:] I lied. I think I figured out how I learned about them. Studio Brussel's YouTube channel, duh. As always. It was their cover of Easy that had me hooked.
Horses on Fire Website | MySpace | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | SoundCloud
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New Music Monday highlights my favourite new musical discoveries. The series will encourage me to actively seek new music and (hopefully) encourage others to open their ears to something new. Got a recommendation? Write me!
I've been obsessed with Lana Del Rey and her seductive voice for several weeks now. It's been impossible to go a day without playing her music in the car at least once. Among my favourites are "Blue Jeans" and "Born To Die" (which you can download for free right now on iTunes as mentioned above), and not too long ago I declared "Kinda Outta Luck" to be my personal theme song—though I could never do such a thing to my dad (see lyrics).
Lana a.k.a. Elizabeth Grant performed on SNL tonight as the musical guest while Daniel Radcliffe was the celebrity guest. I normally don't tune in to the weekly show, but I had to catch LDR in her first U.S. TV debut. If you didn't tune in, well, let's just say that I was glad my smartphone ran out of battery and that I couldn't check Twitter for all the #snl and #lanadelrey comments.
As most musical guests do, she performed two songs: "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans". Within the first verse of the first song, I think most people knew this would not be LDR's best performance. It's like she tried to suppress her vocals, push for a deeper pitch and do something different to the song than what's on the recording. It was a bit of a disaster. Having seen videos of her live performance (e.g. at The Mod Club in Toronto), I knew she was better than that—though my expectation was still relatively low; I just never know what to expect from her in a live setting. Her "Blue Jeans" performance was a tad better, but still far from perfect. I can't begin to imagine how nervous she must have been. From a recent interview with MTV:
So have you been practicing all week for SNL? Well, no, I haven’t because I’ve been working. I don’t even know what I’m singing! I know it’s “Video Games” and I think “Blue Jeans,” but I thought it was supposed to be “Born to Die,” so I have to go figure that out. I better fucking figure that out! [Laughs] There’s a lot going on so there’s a lot of catching up to do. Are you excited? Yeah … I’m excited if it goes well. If it doesn’t, I’m gonna kill myself! But yeah, what an honor. And who knows why, but it’s really nice for me.
Her album Born To Die comes out on January 31—I already have this date marked on my calendars. Apparently she will be making her next two U.S. television performances in February on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Ellen Degeneres Show. I hope that she will be able to redeem herself and that TV viewers will give her a second chance. After all, that SNL performance was nothing compared to Ashlee Simpson.
