right when you were born, your eyes were wide open

coketalk: coverjunkie: Libertine (UK) There’s a new mag in...

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:21:03 -0400

coverjunkie:

Libertine (UK)

There’s a new mag in town. Libertine Magazine: “For Interested Women”

Founder and editor Debbi Evans explains:

“to redefine the ‘women’s interest’ category. In addition to luxury lifestyle content we cover tech, science and business, and celebrate high achieving maverick women for the contents of their brains, not their beds. There is no fashion or beauty content in issue 1, unless you count a piece on the semiotics of handbags. There’s nothing like it, and we’re really excited (and relieved!) to have finally got it out there.”

I love everything about this.

Life skill

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:12:00 -0400

Learning the difference between truly kind people and the other semi-dangerous varieties:

(1)people who are nice in exchange for material things/attention/power

(2) people who are afraid of ruffling feathers (looking out for themselves)

(3) people who are socially warm and friendly but morally inept.

The Great Gatsby (2013) Review

Sat, 11 May 2013 13:16:38 -0400

The Bad News: I wont say I was entirely disappointed, but the Gatsby film missed the mark a little for me. The film was full of aesthetically beautiful shots, but almost overwhelmingly so. Some of the images were incredible, but I never had time to let my senses rest. I personally prefer it when any type of art has a balance of calm and chaotic…I like it when things begin soft and then build up to a crescendo. Gatsby was just maximum stimulation the whole way through. It was like trying to gasp for a breath of calm air on a windy day.

The visuals interfered with my ability to get a true sense for the characters and feel an authentic connection between them. The whole thing reminded me a little of Daisy herself - pretty and engaging but ultimately shallow.

Unfortunately, in all the visual splendour, we also miss out on the subtle criticism on American society that made Fitzgerald’s book so great.

The Good News: It emulated the book beautifully. The setting was exactly how I pictured it in my head, and the director included all of Fitzgerald’s key language. To be fair, I felt that the book didn’t get me fully emotionally invested in the characters, so it makes sense that the film didn’t either, being very loyal to the book.

The music was actually fine for me. The modern twist might throw some people off, but I actually liked the juxtaposition.

The acting was great. Leonardo DiCaprio was as dreamy as ever. Toby McGuire was a perfect choice.

TLDR; Perfect rendition of the book, spectacular screen shots, overwhelming focus on aesthetics that distract from emotional authenticity, skims over deeper meaning

Troubled or self-absorbed or both?

Thu, 09 May 2013 22:41:00 -0400

You know, I’d post a little more often, except I realized that my posts mostly consist of navel-gazing fuckery sprinkled with a bit of self-righteousnous. My intentions are good, but I never realized how self-absorbed I am. Even now I continue with excessive introspection. It’s just so seductive.

Doesn’t it sound so tragically romantic when someone goes on and on about troubles of the mind and young love? That kind of stuff has its place…I feel compelled to express myself, and obviously that’s what blogging is for, but I think that sometimes we need to step back and recognize the difference between privileged whining and legitimate situational troubles.

And now I raise a question - if someone is privileged and self-absorbed, does that mean their problems aren’t legitimate? To what extent should we sympathize with people who are struggling mentally on account of not taking their head out of their ass? I mean, they don’t know it’s up there, and there struggling is still real…I speak for myself at least….

coketalk: Allie did another post on depression. As per usual,...

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:40:32 -0400

coketalk:

Allie did another post on depression. As per usual, it’s beautiful and funny and poignant and perfect.

coketalk: Billie Jean Got Lucky - Daft Punk vs Michael...

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:28:34 -0400

coketalk:

Billie Jean Got Lucky - Daft Punk vs Michael Jackson

I wanted this to be too much, but it works. I dig it. Academically.

On Being Who I am, Not Someone Else

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:06:00 -0400

It feels as though I am finally falling into myself. I don’t even know if I even recognized when I wasn’t being myself before, because I was just being what I thought was myself. There was no grand moment, no “aha! THIS is the true me!” It has just been a gradual, albeit tumultuous, progression, which has become more peaceful as time goes on. This year the transformation felt a bit like a soft, satisfying click, as the gears finally began to move smoothly in the right direction.

To give you a better idea of what I’m saying, here’s a story:

I remember one night I was at a party talking to ye old alpha male of the social circle, and he told me that he loved the bright, neon colours in my outfit. I kid you not, for the next three years I consciously bought bright clothing that I thought he would like. I did not have a crush on him, I just saw him as the epitome of cool and figured I should live up to his standards.

I went through my wardrobe this week and chucked out all the clothes that I had bought for the sake of coolness rather than because they looked good on me. Let’s just say, the second hand store will be getting a large shipment of false identity in the form of shitty bright fabric.

I always used to wonder what the fuck people meant when they told me to “be myself”. I just didn’t get how. I felt like everything I identified with was external, regardless of whether I was trying to be someone else or not. (and that’s true) But I know now that who I am is fluid. Who I am shifts constantly in unison with what I do and who I hang out with. Who I am is who I become when I’m not trying to be anything in particular, but just following the things that truly attract me. And it might mean saying “wtf, I’m not feeling this” to the cool movies that all the really cool eccentric folks like. It might mean saying no to a kegger or two. It might mean saying yes to educating myself about “real issues”, despite most of my friends being lost in a limbo-world of arrested development where the newest nail polish is the headline of the day.

That’s enough cheese for one night.

Cheers,

s2g

"I can never read all the books I want; I can never be all the people I want and live all the lives I..."

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:49:16 -0400

““I can never read all the books I want; I can never be all the people I want and live all the lives I want. I can never train myself in all the skills I want. And why do I want? I want to live and feel all the shades, tones and variations of mental and physical experience possible in life. And I am horribly limited.””

- Sylvia Plath

Some quick thoughts on the marathon incident

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 03:08:25 -0400

I’ve read some first hand stories of the Boston explosions today, and they made me think about a few things :

1) we get desensitized to the news and the stats and the talking heads
2) we forget that this happens overseas quite often - they are our brothers and sisters too
3) there are some good fucking people out there and although today brought with it horrible evil, the evil is not what surprised me. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised and overwhelmed with emotion over today’s heroes. For whatever reason, I have trouble crying in sadness for people when I see it on the news, but an act of kindness has me sobbing because I’m so grateful to see that there is still good in this world.

I’ve decided I’ve got to educate myself more about world issues, got to start doing things in service of others, and got to start speaking up for what is right. Sometimes I’m afraid of stick ing out as someone who is over-passionate about doing the right thing or seeming like a pushover for being kind. I realized how much hope it gives me to see someone be a good person, and if I go out and fearlessly do good, it can provide hope for other people like me. And maybe it will help me make friends with like minded people. You can never find good people who you connect with if you don’t take the risk and show everyone who you are. Someday, the right person will notice.

I was so glad to see that you liked one of my quotes because it means you're back! I miss your posts. I think I've mentioned this to you before, but they're honestly so insightful. How have you been, love?

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:17:56 -0400

Thank you! Yes I’m back (ish). I just finished my undergrad so I finally have time to breathe and scroll through my dash. :) I really only post one of my rants when I get inspired or have some kind of mini epiphany, so there are always dry spells! Thanks again, and I love your blog too.

Photo

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 18:02:13 -0400

"I work all day, and get half-drunk at night. Waking at four to soundless dark, I stare. In time..."

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 10:05:00 -0400

“

I work all day, and get half-drunk at night.
Waking at four to soundless dark, I stare.
In time the curtain-edges will grow light.
Till then I see what’s really always there:
Unresting death, a whole day nearer now,
Making all thought impossible but how
And where and when I shall myself die.
Arid interrogation: yet the dread
Of dying, and being dead,
Flashes afresh to hold and horrify.
The mind blanks at the glare. Not in remorse
- The good not done, the love not given, time
Torn off unused - nor wretchedly because
An only life can take so long to climb
Clear of its wrong beginnings, and may never;
But at the total emptiness for ever,
The sure extinction that we travel to
And shall be lost in always. Not to be here,
Not to be anywhere,
And soon; nothing more terrible, nothing more true.

This is a special way of being afraid
No trick dispels. Religion used to try,
That vast, moth-eaten musical brocade
Created to pretend we never die,
And specious stuff that says No rational being
Can fear a thing it will not feel, not seeing
That this is what we fear - no sight, no sound,
No touch or taste or smell, nothing to think with,
Nothing to love or link with,
The anasthetic from which none come round.

And so it stays just on the edge of vision,
A small, unfocused blur, a standing chill
That slows each impulse down to indecision.
Most things may never happen: this one will,
And realisation of it rages out
In furnace-fear when we are caught without
People or drink. Courage is no good:
It means not scaring others. Being brave
Lets no one off the grave.
Death is no different whined at than withstood.

Slowly light strengthens, and the room takes shape.
It stands plain as a wardrobe, what we know,
Have always known, know that we can’t escape,
Yet can’t accept. One side will have to go.
Meanwhile telephones crouch, getting ready to ring
In locked-up offices, and all the uncaring
Intricate rented world begins to rouse.
The sky is white as clay, with no sun.
Work has to be done.
Postmen like doctors go from house to house.

”

- Philip Larkin - Aubade

Coke Talk of the Day

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:05:40 -0500

coketalk:

Occupy Wall Street was a fucking mouse fart compared to the damage our generation could do to the system if every last one of us suddenly decided to stop making payments on our student loans.

I doubt it would take all that many conscientious defaulters to reach a tipping point — maybe a few hundred thousand — and the student debt bubble would burst. Credit scores would be meaningless. Ivory towers would crumble. The entire fucking economy would implode.

I dunno, it might be worth doing.

miriamt0rres: There Will Be Blood (2007)

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 23:53:27 -0500

miriamt0rres:

There Will Be Blood (2007)

13 Things

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:49:00 -0500

1. IMPENDING DEATH: Think about the imminence of death. Nothing really matters. Time is the most precious commodity. Focus on the most important things.

2. PERSPECTIVE: Think about how lucky you are to be in this instance of the universe, to be in this country, to be at this socioeconomic level, to be in this moment.

3. PRESENCE: Remember that there is only now. Be aware of it, be present, enjoy the experience - even if it is difficult. Feel pain. Separate analytic thought as a project and think of it at a predetermined time. Recognize that you have the power to decide not to feel an emotion. Have no fear.

4. AWARENESS: Be aware of your emotions and thoughts and recognize how your AWARENESS is separate.

5. HUMOUR: Remember to laugh. Take the humorous route. Don’t take things too seriously.

6. SELF-ASSUREDNESS: Remember that you know yourself, and you have nothing to prove to anyone. You are who you are. Nothing anyone says can change that. Nobody can make you feel anything with their words. The only person who can fix you is you. All you have is you. This is true freedom.

7. EGO: Take nothing personally. Recognize your ego. Remember the seven deadly sins. Realize your insignificance in the universe. Forget the need to feel special. Stop identifying with labels. Stop seeking approval. Ask if your negative comments or actions are coming from a place of fear and anger.

8. PATIENCE: Recognize that everyone and everything is created and driven by the universe and what happened previously. Realize this is what is. Remember the child self and the higher order thinking self. Be patient with people and yourself. Realize that you can’t always know now. Realize that you can’t control ignorant opinions and they are not personal.

9. OUTROSPECTION: Look outwards. Listen. Watch people. Learn about them. Ask them questions. (this might mean turning the focus of an argument onto them)

10. ACCEPTANCE: This life was not made to happen in your favour, so do not impose your own expectations upon it. Nothing belongs to you. There is no cheat sheet to life, and just accept that there will be ups and downs. Accept confusion - the world cannot be deduced to dichotomies and simple categories.

11. BALANCE: Pursue moderation and maintenance in every aspect of life. Take care of yourself.

12. WILLPOWER: Recognize that your will is incredibly powerful. Just DO IT.

13. ENERGY: Put out good energy into the world. Try to reduce suffering. Don’t forget to do what you love and do what feels good. Listen to happy music.

Photo

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 16:18:57 -0500

"When we bring children into the world, we play awful games with them. Instead of saying, ‘How..."

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 09:22:22 -0500

““When we bring children into the world, we play awful games with them. Instead of saying, ‘How do you do, welcome to the human race. Now my dear we are playing some very complicated games, and these are the rules of the game we play. I want to you understand them, and then you’ll learn them, and then when you get a little bit older you’ll be able to think up some better rules.’ Instead of being quite direct with our children, instead we say, ‘You’re here on probation, you understand that. And maybe when you grow up a bit you’ll be acceptable. But until then, you should be seen and not heard. You’re a mess. And you’ve got to be educated and schooled and whipped until you are human.’ So that these attitudes which are inculcated into us in infancy go on into old age. The way you start out is liable to be the way you finish. So people go around fundamentally feeling like they don’t belong. So we get this ghastly christian ego, a little bit jewish too, who really feels that he’s homeless, an orphan. And so comes this sensation, so characteristic of western man, and indeed of all highly civilized people, of being a stranger in the earth and therefore in constant contentiousness with everything around you, not only with other people, but the earth, the waters. And the symbol of it all in our culture is the bulldozer…””

- Alan Watts

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a..."

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 09:17:00 -0500

““The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.””

- Albert Einstein

yogachocolatelove: “Dead Poets Society” one of my favorite...

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:11:13 -0500

yogachocolatelove:

“Dead Poets Society” one of my favorite movies of all time.

The Coquette: On Super Bowl Advertising

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:23:11 -0500

The Coquette: On Super Bowl Advertising:

coketalk:

This is marketing disguised as propaganda:

This is propaganda disguised as marketing:

The Scientology “Knowledge” ad is trying to make you buy something, whereas the Dodge “God Made a Farmer” ad is trying to make you believe something.

That’s an incredibly important distinction.