The Pensive Panther

“Young girls and older ladies, it's the in-between that are the problems."

[fuckyeahmcgosling-blog]

[pensivepanther-blog]

entertainmentweekly:

fuckyeahmcgosling:

‘I’m not that good looking. I’m a pretty weird looking guy. I know that but that’s the magic of movies. If you play somebody who’s the romantic lead, it casts that spell and people believe that about you but it’s not true. Every role I got up until The Notebook was the weirdo freak psychopath nerd outsider character guy. I was playing Neo Nazis and gay football players and doing a bunch of weird kids’ TV.’

uhm, yeah, riiiiiiiiiiiight

[pensivepanther-blog]

A Movie Must See: Drive

                          As a film major, I am a tad bias when it comes to movie going as an activity. For me, it’s the ultimate activity/time killer. From going alone, to going with friends, going to see a movie is the cheapest way (besides a 7.95 bottle of wine) to leave your twenty-something troubles behind. For two hours, you can completely immerse yourself into the troubles and triumphs of someone else, what could be better?

  Now as twenty-somethings, we have to be very careful with our movie selections. Comedies can remind us of our previously bumpin’ social schedules, a romantic film can present an unease with our current relationship status, and a good drama can make the depths of our despair, seem just that much bleaker. With this is mind however; I HIGHLY recommend carving out time to go see Ryan Gosling’s current film Drive.  The film is utter perfection and an ideal platform for twenty-something psychological projection. My reasons for seeing it are as follows:

  1). Ryan Gosling – Ryan is an independent film darling, and a sight for very very sore eyes. In the film, Ryan plays an unnamed, stunt driver/mechanic, who is as stoic as a statue of a Greek god, and just as beautiful. He is literally aimlessly driving through life, until he meets the girl next door, played by Carey Mulligan. Where the story goes from there, I shall remain mum, but it is Ryan’s performance that keeps you wanting more. The entire film, he is lost inside his own thoughts, but as an audience member when you see those thoughts come to fruition, it will take your breath away.

  2). The Soundtrack – Even if you don’t go see the film, head to iTunes and immediately download “Real Hero” by College ft. Electric Youth. The song haunts the entire film, and you will instantly want it to be the soundtrack to your own life. The entire soundtrack of the film is based around Ryan’s obsession and ease with being behind the wheel. Ten bucks says if you hopped into your own car, blasted this soundtrack, with the windows down, all your life troubles will melt away, and you’ll feel like a total 80’s bad ass.

  Here’s YouTube link to the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DSVDcw6iW8

  3). The Violence – The R rating for this film, IS NOT A JOKE. This is not a film for the kiddies. As twenty-somethings, were always looking for that next big shock and awe. It’s why we’re obsessed with YouTube, and sky diving deals on Groupon. Director Nicolas Winding Refn, is obviously a sick bastard, but he somehow takes violence to a beautiful bloody level with this film. It may not be for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking to satisfy your inner masochists, this film has all the violent thrills.

  In summary: GO SEE THIS FILM. You will not be disappointed.

[mentalflossr]

Andy’s evil neighbor Sid from Toy Story returns briefly as the garbage man in Toy Story 3.

[pensivepanther-blog]

Hail to 1990's!

[vogue]

[pensivepanther-blog]

vogue:

Michelle Williams Photographed by Annie Leibovitz for the October Issue of Vogue

[pensivepanther-blog]

The Expectation Hangover

Author Christine Hassler is a true advocate for the aimless twenty-something. Her three books 20 Something, 20 Everything, 20 Something, 20 Everything: A Quarter Life Woman's Guide to Balance and Direction and 20 Something Manifesto, are holy grails of advice and inspiration for those of us wandering around in our post-grad lull. 

  Currently, I am reading 20 Something Manifesto, and I'm loving it. The book is filled with stories from real twenty somethings navigating postgrad life. My favorite section so far has been Chapter Two: Expectation Hangovers. Here is an excerpt from the book describing what exactly an Expectation Hangover can entail:

  "It feels like a dull pain in my chest. It's the terrible disappointment I've felt when faced with the results of my decisions and has led to some depression, much anxiety, and a lot of introspection. I would say during these Hangovers I am motivated toward change - but the scary part is seeing how to make the change and also seeing the obstacles in the way, mainly being the opinion of family and loved ones. These obstacles can make what seems to be a simple fix a much more complicated process" (page, 32)

  For me, this section really hit home. As twenty-somethings we are faced with so many options, it all just seems daunting. Between the time, money, and possible thought of rejection, many of these options, just seem impossible. The important thing to remember though, is that we have the options! As a twenty-something, you should not feel pigeon-holed. Sure the change seems scary, but right now we have the flexibility of being completely selfish and seizing our dreams. We have the time to make the missteps and learn from them!

[the-final-sentence]

A jaded traveler with an invisible passport, I am at home with this heaven of the unforeseen, waiting for the next whoosh of sudden departure when, with no advance warning, to tiny augery, the unpredictable plummets into our lives from somewhere that looks like sky.

from The Blue by Billy Collins (via the-final-sentence)

[pensivepanther-blog]

A Case of The Miley Cyruses

                                    This chick. Her first offense? This outfit. Her second? She was born in 1992. As a 1989-er myself, this Disney Princess sometimes has me worried. She had a TV show by 14, a record deal by 15, and Liam Hemworth by 17?! Oh and lets not forget the millions of dollars that comes with all of these things! [insert derogatory term for a female here]. Sometimes, when I’m sitting in my gray cubicle and thinking of Miley Cyrus (or any celebrity for that matter) I think, where did I go wrong? All the money I’m making, technically belongs to my small fortune in student loans, and the only notoriety I’m getting these days, is for making the most dials at work. Something is not right here! How in the heck has a 1992-er already surpassed me in life achievement?! And with no college degree! It’s just rude. On my good days though, I typically have an AHA! moment.

  Poor Miley! She may have experienced all these things, but she has everyone in the world watching her as she does it and how in the heck does one even begin to appreciate all these life achievements at such a young age? Me? I’ll take my life achievements nice and slow. Sure they might not be as glamorous (or as well-funded), but I’m sure going to be able to appreciate them a lot more. My weekend getaways may be via megabus, or only do-able because of a LivingSocial coupon, but gosh darn it the friends I’m hanging with and the memories I’m making will be cherished, and not spread across YouTube and parodied on SNL.

  And as far as life achievements go, I’m hoping to catch a case of the Beyonces as soon as possible. Girlfriend just turned thirty and put on the most rocking, baby bump bumping performance, in five-inch heels, at the VMAs. Something tells me little Miss Cyrus’s luck will have run out by 2022. Who are you trying to catch a case of?

  Disclaimer: Still an avid fan of Party in the USA. That song can do no wrong.

[pensivepanther-blog]

Quickie! - Me, Myself and I

I check my horoscope regularly, and typically its spot on, which was the case today! This one was too good not to share with all of you, no matter your sign!

    "Quick -- who is your favorite person? If you answered with anything other than a loud, enthusiastic 'me,' you are way off track -- and you need to start giving yourself the affection you deserve. Treat yourself to your favorite meal. Buy yourself a present and ask to have it gift-wrapped, just because! If you don't treat yourself to unexpected gifts every now and again, then who will? Practice receiving gifts, and you'll start receiving more of them." '

    Over the weekend I was reminded that (stealing this from Ms.Bradshaw herself) the most important relationship is the one that we have with ourselves. Friends are a must, because at the end of the day, you need to share your life with someone, but how can you share YOUR life, if its based around someone else? Let people in, but don't let yourself get lost in the shuffle. Now go get that gift wrapped present!

[pensivepanther-blog]

Commandments for the Aimless Twenty-Something

Thou Shall Participate in Some Sort of Physical Activity – DAILY

In the words of Elle Woods, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't.” I suggest finding some way to fit physical activity into your new life. Whether its 5 am workouts, taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work, or joining your local kickball league. Take some time for yourself and give your keg stand muscles a go around, your waning metabolism will thank you!

Thou Shall Not Worry About One’s Marital Status

High school sweetheart,? College sweetheart? None of the above? The way I see it, my wedding is going to be my last big banger, so why would I want that to happen now? Ladies, we have time. Gentlemen, time to hit maturity! And if you are an engaged/married twenty-something, Congrats! (Truly!) Take it for granted in your Facebook status though, and I will throw invisible tomatoes at you.

Thou Shall Make an Effort to Keep in Touch With Friends

(and make new ones!)

Like most of our generation, I have become socially inept. Unless you’re bbm-ing, texting or tweeting me, we aren’t talking. Even skyping is sometimes not ideal. Even if you only feel comfortable sending smoke signals though, do it! Your friends sometimes know you better than yourself and that’s an awful thing to lose. As far as meeting new ones, I’ll have to get back to you on that. Ideally, I would be able to find a young twenty-something book club, that serves Franzia at the meetings, and analyzes Perez Hilton’s latest posts…

Though Shall Not Stop Learning

This one sounds kind of pretentious, but just because we are no longer in school (shout out to all the grad students!) does not mean we should be done learning new things. Read for pleasure! Take an online class at your local community college! Read the headlines on Yahoo!’s homepage! There’s no need for us to be stuck in an intelligence funk.

Ideally there would be ten of these, but who has time for that? My point is this, what I have learned so far from the “real world”, is that it’s about putting yourself out there. I’m by no means guaranteeing a positive outcome, but hey it can’t hurt!

[pensivepanther-blog]

Attitude Adjustment

Today is a pretty significant day, or a pretty depressing one, depending on how you spin it. Approximately four months ago, I was sitting in the Petersen Event Center, surrounded by my closest friends, navy blue and gold balloons and the endless fanfare that comes with any commencement ceremony. Sure, we didn’t get to walk across the stage, but the day was one filled excitement, pride and an endless amount of Master’s students receiving more recognition than we lowly undergrads. But then, something terrible happened, the day was over, and like Princess Fiona turning into an orge in the moonlight, the reality of the day set it; this was really it.

   Of course “it” was different for each of us that day in the Petersen Event Center, or at any graduation ceremony for the Class of 2011. Reality for me was that I was packing up to head home to Maryland, to start a full time job in Arlington, Virginia. Bye bye to my closest friends, booze filled nights and the latest Greek gossip. Hello to my mom’s chore lists, commuting and nights out at chain restaurants. Sounds thrilling doesn’t it?!

     A few days ago, while discussing the pitfalls of post-grad life, a friend of mine said “it is all about attitude adjustment”, and she could not have been more right! So yes, gone are my days of 2 am pizza fests and frat parties, but I am definitely one of the lucky ones. I was employed before graduation, I’ll be saving mucho dinero while living at home, and I’ll be gaining some great experience in an office with some of the nicest people I have ever met. My social life has definitely taken a hit, but here’s where my attitude adjustment is coming in.; this first year in the school of life, is going to be about me. Slightly selfish? yes, but I am kind of excited to see how I fare on my own, and even more excited to see what comes out on the other side. I am going to make mistakes, and I’m most definitely going to be confused and bi-polar nearly everyday, but I am finally going to have the time to invest in myself and really find out who I am.

My purpose for this blog is not only to detail my post-grad journey, but to help others with theirs. No I am not an expert, but I think one of the best things when you’re dealing with something new (read: confusing), is just knowing that you are not alone. So here it is, my thorough investigation into post-grad life.  Enjoy!