I've decided to make a list of all the random songs I've been listening to over each week. I'm constantly on the hunt for new music and I listen to a lot of different stuff. Why not share them? I also love getting suggestions for new music!
No Operator - Sitka
This is a local band I was just introduced to and I really like this particular track. They play some pretty good metal too, but I particularly like their acoustic stuff.
Childish Gambino - Sober
I love seeing a little bit of Childish's Derrick Comedy past in this vid. I look into what Donald Glover is up to every few months and I usually like what I find.
Wet - Deadwater
This is such a beautiful, bittersweet song. It's like that feeling when you're young and you've just getting over your first breakup.
Susanne Sundfør - Fade Away
She has such a unique voice and I'm totally in love with it, and the 80's style synthesizers.
Major Lazer - Too Original (K.R.E.A.M remix)
Started looking more into Major Lazer after hearing Lean On by him and Snakehips and this track is awesome for dancersizing!
Odesza - Say My Name (ft. Zyra)
These guys are amazing and I've had this song on repeat for days. I'd be pretty shocked if these guys didn't become popular in the next year or so!
Recently I seem to have stumbled on quite a few videos that talk about the harm in high expectations. It often happens that when I come across an interesting idea I'll suddenly see it everywhere! This probably just due to the fact that when you're feeling particularly receptive to an idea you tend to notice it more than usual. Whatever the case, I like that my brain works that way. ^.^
This particular idea was first introduced to me in this Jenna Marbles video:
Basically, in this video she talks about how her life turned out very different than how she had imagined it would. She says that if she'd restricted herself to following one path, she would've missed multiple opportunities available to her. Jenna differentiates between expectations and goals, and says that by lowering her expectations of both people and situations, it's allowed her to just accept the present and live in the moment. As someone who's grappled with anxiety and always living for the next goal and the future, I feel I've missed out on a lot in life. My ego has made me feel like I NEED to achieve certain things, which takes to joy out of it.
Another video that really brings this point home is a quick little snippet from an Alan Watts:
He has some really inspirational lectures if you're ever looking for something uplifting, and that British accent is so comforting :P
And then of course, Shia Laboeuf gives this solid advice:
He truly is the gift that keeps on giving. And this is solid advice, delivered in a highly memorable way. Not to mention it's super quotable:
"YESTERDAY YOU SAID TOMORROW SO JUST. DO IT. MAKE. YOUR DREAMS. COME TRUE!"
"Some people dream of success, well you're gonna wake up and WORK HARD AT IT. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!"
Word on the street is that Jurassic World beat out Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part II for highest grossing opening weekend. And I was part of that opening weekend, as I went to see the film on Saturday. While HPATDH-P2 grossed 483.2 million dollars, Jurassic World ended up grossing just over a half a billion.
But while I MAY have enjoyed the film, my heart still and always will belong to the Harry Potter franchise, in all it's forms(except video games, y'all need to work on an open world Harry Potter MMO).
To prove my love for HP and to prove why it rules over the Jurassic Park franchise, I've compiled a list of reasons HP is better.
1. 2 books vs 10 books
While the author of Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton, wrote two novels for the Jurassic Park franchise, J.K. Rowling wrote a whopping 7 novels for the Harry Potter plot line, with 3 supplementary novels such as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (currently being made into a film), Quidditch Throughout the Ages, and The Tales of Beetle & Bard.
2. 4 Movies vs. 9
While the Jurassic Park franchise has a total of 4 movies under it's belt, HP has 8, with another one on the way (SO EXCITED)!
3. Chris Pratt vs Matthew Lewis
Lol, tie ;)
4. Jurassic Park vs. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Orlando Studios
You know what's better than a fictional amusement park? A real amusement park!
5. Dinosaurs vs. Dragons
Sure, dinosaurs are ballin af, but do you know what else is awesome? Fire breathing dragons! Still not convinced? Maybe I'll throw in some unicorns, a threstral and let you ride Buckbeak!
6. Steven Spielberg vs. ...A Bunch of Dudes
You've won this round, Spielburg!
7. John Williams vs John Williams
Personally I prefer the HP theme, but that's just me soooo...tie.
8.Shipping
I cannot tell you how hard I ship Hermione and Ron. Sooo hard. And while the chemistry between Owen and Claire was bangin, it didn't give me the same depth of emotion as waiting 10 years for a kiss between best friends in the middle of a war. Shit just didn't bang enough.
I just can't for the life of me stop shipping these guys
They're just so adorable!
And you can cut the sexual tension with a knife!
9. Total Gross Earnings
While HP earned a respectable $2,390,076,596 I must concede that Jurassic Park beat that with $2,720,529,010. Still, with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them due out in November, 2016 we'll see who gets the last laugh!
10. Fan Base
While there is definitely a huge fan base for the Jurassic Park franchise, it can't hold a candle to the army of obsessive teenagers and adults lurking on harry potter forums (myself included).
Let me just say that I enjoy all of these songs in one way or another, but these music videos far out-shadowed the songs they represent. Whether they're super weird, have over the top visuals, or were hugely controversial at the time, they managed to kick the song up a notch! Here is a list of music videos that are better than the song :)
1. M.I.A. - Bad Girls
Filmed in Morocco to avoid getting arrested in Saudi Arabia, M.I.A. took some Arab dudes and their cars into the desert and shot this amazingly unique video, that's politically charged and just plain fun to watch.
2. Major Lazer & DJ Snake - Lean On (ft. MØ)
Love the song, love the video even more. Borrowing inspiration from the country they filmed in, this video features the bright colours, intricate patterns and beautiful architecture found in India to create a visually appealing video. The only thing that could have made this better would be authentic Bollywood dancers, as the choreography can't hold a candle to the real thing. Still, I keep coming back to this song just to watch the video.
3. Ylvis - What Does the Fox Say
While this song was played again and again, the comedic geniuses in Ylvis kicked the ridiculous factor up a notch with this fitting video, that was as over-played as the song.
4. Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity
You may have never heard of him or the song, but this is the video that lauched Jamiroquai's (short) career, with an amazing moving floor effect that viewers couldn't stop watching. It was just so cool!
5. 4 Minutes - Crazy
While most K-Pop vids are guaranteed to be visually appealing with out-of-this-world fashion and synchronized choreography, for some reason Crazy really does it for me. I don't speak a word of Korean but I've watched this video over and over trying to get these dance moves down. Why u so cool, 4 Minutes??
6. Ed Sheeran - Don't
Ed Sheeran is known for not making himself the focal point of his vids, and for that we're grateful. Not that he isn't a good-looking man, but he takes the opportunity that the video medium affords him and makes something spectacular, with a spectacular dancer. Seriously, how'd he learn to move like that?
7. Self - Runaway
Sorry not sorry! While the song is cute, the choice to include an all-feline cast was a solid one. I don't know how often I've watched this video for that reason alone. Kudos, Self.
8. Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk (ft. Bruno Mars)
The song is incredibly catchy, no doubting that, but the video is flawless. With clear retro influences like James Brown, this video elevates this song to anthem status.
9. Madonna - Like a Prayer
For you youngins unfamiliar with old school Madonna, allow me to explain. Featuring bleeding palms, a black Jesus, burning crosses and a scantily clad Madonna in a church, this became one of the most controversial videos of her career. So controversial, in fact, that the Vatican banned it. Which of course lead to it being viewed even more!
10. OK Go - This Too Shall Pass
OK Go have really made a name for themselves through their incredibly creative videos, and for me this one takes the cake. You'll just have to watch and see why!
11. Weird Al - White and Nerdy
This really became the parody of all parody videos. Featuring celebrity cameos like Seth Green and Key & Peele (before they got their show), this has to be the most viewed of all Weird Al's videos and it was a huuuuge hit when it first came out.
12. Sigur Ros - Hoppipolla
There's something incredibly endearing about watching the elderly behave like children. Even though I can't understand any of the words, they bring the meaning home through their video.
13. Rudimental - Not Giving In (ft. John Newman & Alex Clare)
If you haven't checked out Rudimental's videos I would highly suggest it. From clandestine Tiger rescues to wingsuits, he's an artist that tells a story with his music videos. This one in particular is my favourite and really brings the song to life.
14. Sia - Chandelier
Sia was making incredibly unique, artistic videos right off the bat. The decision to use Maddie from Dance Moms as the lead for this music video was a solid one. Her interpretive dance had viewers baffled and amazed and the later decision to add Shia Laboeuf to the mix, while controversial, made for an awesome dynamic.
15. Michael Jackson - Thriller
If ever a music video was a classic, it was Thriller. The song itself was an international hit, but the video ensured it's place in music history for years to come. Making your music video into what was essentially a short film was risky, but paid off for MK. I remember my neighbour having a copy of this video on VHS in the 90's and watching it over and over again. I honestly can't think of a video as well known as this one. It's quite simply the holy grail of music videos.
If you have an indoor cat, you know how difficult it can be to keep them entertained and happy! Therefore, I've made a list of the best ways to play with your kitty.
1. Boxes
We all know that cats love boxes, and they're undeniably the ultimate cat toy. Cutting holes into it also increases the fun for them! Image source can be found here
3. Wiggle Something Under a Blanket
This is the greatest thing when they're frisky. I usually take one of my sandals and wiggle it around under the door mat.
4. Play With Them Under the Door
Cats love attacking things from under the door! Try using a string, or if you're brave, your own hand.
5. Laser Pointers
For owners that want a less hands-on playtime, laser pointers are a Godsend! I promise you you'll tire out long before they do... Image source can be found here
6. Get a Second Cat
So you've tried all of the above and they still seem bored, listless and sad? Get a second cat! The best play companion for a cat is undoubtedly another cat. They may not always be happy with the interloper but they'll never be bored again.
I think any true Potterhead has contemplated getting a piece of HP immortalized on their skin. With 7 books and 8 movies to draw inspiration from, it's no wonder there's so much variety in this tattoo fandom. Here are my picks for the best Harry Potter tattoos
There are numerous places for the Deathly Hallows symbol, but I like this placement between the shoulder blades. Image source can be found here
This placement's a tad more suggestive, and I hear it hurts to get tattooed on the bone! Should've gotten it on the boob instead, jeez... Image source can be found here
Combining the DH symbol with one of the most memorable quotes definitely makes for an awesome tattoo. Image source can be found here
I also the idea of incorporating the DH symbol into a single word for a more minimalist tattoo. Image source can be found here
This tattoo is cool because it combines the DH symbol, the flying key from the first book and this sentence, which I just love ^.^ Image source can be found here
There is of course the most easily recognizable HP reference without explicitly stating it. Image source can be found here
The Dark Mark is another worthy reference, although why anyone would WANT a dark mark is beyond me (Although according to the source page this is a falsey). Image source can be found here
Another worthy reference is the sentence "I must not tell lies" on the back of the hand. Again, why somebody would want it is beyond me, although I do dig the white ink tattoos... Image source can be found here
There's plenty of fantastic portrait tattoos circulating, but I'm particularly drawn to the memorials of fallen characters like Dobby (although again, this is another fake tattoo). Image source can be found here
The whole Weasley is our King bit became one of my fave Ron moments, (apart from Ron & Hermione moments cuz you know I ship them hard) and this tattoo really captures that triumph perfectly. Image source can be found here
This one really I really get an emotional reaction to, not just because of the Lily/James tragedy but because of the Lily/Snape tragedy too. Image source can be found here
Again this is along the same lines, and I like the addition of 'Expecto Patronum' underneath, but does it bother anybody else that the two are facing away from each other? Image source can be found here
The theme of a franchise can make or break it, and movie producers will go to great lengths to find the right sound for their films. There have been some truly legendary themes in the world of movie franchises which makes picking only 10 so difficult! I've based my selection on how well it's remembered by movie-goers, suitability for the franchise and it's legendary status.
10. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Written by Ennio Morricone for Sergio Leone's Fistful of Dollars trilogy (I'm starting to understand why they're called spaghetti westerns now) this theme quickly grew into it's own entity, and made it's way into pop culture.
9. He's a Pirate
The entire soundtrack for Pirates of the Caribbean was written by Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer, but the breakaway theme was titled "He's a Pirate" and can be heard in some fashion in each of the 4 movies in the franchise. Over the years this bombastic song has become instantly recognizable, even to those who haven't seen the films.
8. Jurassic Park Theme
Composed by John Williams (who it's worth noting had a hand in a lot of the scores on this list), the theme for Jurassic Park is meant to capture the beauty and awe of seeing the majestic prehistoric creatures for the first time. A secondary score called 'Journey to the Island' is equally well-known and captures the wild excitement and danger of the film franchise.
7. Mission Impossible
Written and composed by Lalo Schifrin for the TV show, it is now the them for one of the best action movie franchises of all time. The theme to Mission Impossible fit the intensity and the scale of the movies perfectly, going on to be as much of a hit as the franchise itself (it toped the Billboard 100 at #7).
6. The Fellowship, The Breaking of the Fellowship/The Shire (Concerning Hobbits)
Howard Shore wrote and composed over 10 hours of music for the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, and won multiple Grammys and Academy Awards for his efforts. So you may be asking, 'Why isn't LOTR higher on the list?!' Because there's too much damn music! While much of it is both popular and recognizable, there's just too much damn music! Symphonies, orchestras and vocal performances make it extremely hard to pick one particular track as the main theme for this film franchise.
5. The Raiders March
The theme for Indiana Jones was composed and conducted by John Williams and performed by the London Symphony Orchestras (which, let's face it, is true for a bunch of songs on this list). This music fits the Indiana Jones franchise like a glove, with deep base and booming horns you can't help but visualize Indie off on an adventure.
4. The Godfather Waltz
Composed by Nino Rota in 1972, this theme exudes classic Italy, fitting the various time periods of the Godfather film franchise. The lone horn at the beginning reflects the isolation and heaviness of the heads of the Corleone family, and the pace fits well with these dialogue driven, often slow-moving films.
3. Hedwig's Theme
Composed by John Williams (I told you!), this theme perfectly fit what would become the biggest film franchise yet. It's soft and notes and use of instruments not always heard in scores such as these create the perfect atmosphere of mystery and excitement. The constant juggling of the string, woodwind, percussion and brass sections creates the sense of a bird in flight. If you've never given the full theme a listen I highly suggest it, it really is a masterpiece!
2. James Bond Theme
Is there any theme better known around the world than the theme to the 007 franchise? Copyright for this composition can be credited to both Monty Norman and John Barry, as both have taken each other to court and are collecting royalties in some form or another. The combination of jangling 1960's surfer guitar, thumping bass and sly woodwind and string (depending on the version) create a sexy, stylish atmosphere for this well-aged film franchise that has managed to span decades.
1. Star Wars Theme
Composed by (you guessed it) John Williams this is hands down the most recognizable theme in film history. It has reproduced and parodied more than any other theme. The opening crash of song right of the base brings to mind the huge scale of the Star Wars setting (fuckin space dude) and creates an epicness that can't be matched. Simply put, if I were the ruler of my own country I would make this my national anthem. Copyrights be damned.
Bromances are probably one of the best developments of the 21st century. To be sure, they've been around since the beginning of humanity, but only in these modern times have men felt comfortable embracing their bros, and declaring their love for all to hear. To honour that courage, I have made a list of my favourite bromances!
1. Sherlock and Watson:
If you talk to certain Sherlockian scholars, they'll claim that these two were sword fighting behind closed doors. But bromances are often mistaken for romances, so we can't fault them for that.
2. Pauly D and Vinny
There are three groups of people: those who are cringing at the mention of these two, those who don't know who they are, and those who think they're awesome. There may also be a fourth group that are mad I put them directly beneath Benedict, but they need to get over themselves.
For those of you who don't know, these two were the dynamic duo of Jersey Shore. They stood out by rarely involving themselves in drama, and dedicated their time on the reality show to winning prank wars, getting tan and spending time with their bros.
3. Wayne and Garth
We're not worthy of their bro love! There's a reason you see these two at least once every Halloween, and it's because there's nothing better than partying on with your bro! These two rock n roll nerds taught us that when you accept your bro for who they are, nothing can stand in the way of your dreams, especially if your dream is to put on an Aerosmith concert in Aurora, Illinois and marry a hot relic hunter. Party on, indeed.
4. Turk and J.D.
These two just melted your heart with their love affair. They made a remarkable commitment to each other that proved unbreakable to the very end. Complete with ballad!
5. Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen
I don't know which genius director it was that paired these two up, but hats off to him! Apart from their equally amazing acting talent dominating the X-Men franchise, and appearing on Broadway together, they have openly admitted to their bromance. And I must say, never has a friendship anywhere looked so fun! Seriously, these guys have so much fun together.
6. Seth Rogen and James Franco
Not only do these two often portray best friends in movies, they're also BFFs in real life! This winning twosome has produced comedic gold that has resulted in some of my favourite films of the past few years!
7. Peregrin Took and Meriadoc BrandyBuck (Pippin and Merry)
These two almost-twins were easily the darlings of the LOTR cast, breaking the ice of the epic drama with their memorable one liners:
"They come in pints? I'm getting one!"
"We've had breakfast, yes. But what about second breakfast?"
With the exception of Gandalf falling into darkness, the separation of Pippin and Merry was the saddest shit ever. These two are simply meant to be together forever, and that's that.
8. Finn & Jake
These loveable characters are such a dynamic duo they transcended the genre of the children's T.V. show, probably due in part to the fact that their show, Adventure Time, looks like a series of drug-induced hallucinations. Regardless, this friendship is so fun to watch, they even make frying pancakes fun! Mathematical!
9. Chewbacca and Han Solo
Similar to Finn & Jake, Chewbacca and Han Solo are two bros searching the world (or galaxy) for adventure and beating the odds. While originally Chewbacca swore an oath to protect Han after saving Chewy's life, theirs in a bond of trust and respect that no one can break! They've got each other's backs to the very end, making them bros for life.
Honourable mentions:
Mario & Luigi
To be sure, Mario is one of the best recognized icons of the modern world, thus making the pairing of Mario & Luigi all the more prominent. Still, these two are brothers rather than besties, and aren't necessarily on equal footing either. Mario gets to run around saving the princess and stealing all the glory while Luigi has to sit patiently, being habitually under-valued and under-appreciated. Get off your high horse, Mario!
IT BREAKS MY DAMN HEART!
Batman and Robin
While this crime-fighting duo is known the world over, their relationship has always been that of the mentor/student rather than of two equal friends. Most of their portrayals show Robin being significantly younger and less mature than Batman, and relying on him often. Not quite bros.
And then there's this whole thing...
Harry, Ron and Hermione
There's no denying it. This was the friendship to end all friendships. Their bond was beautiful (if, at times, confusing) and was the basis for what is arguably the greatest adventure story of my generation. BUT - there's three of them! How could we possibly ask Harry to choose between Ron and Hermione? Sacrilege!
