Despite the accolades and monumental stream of publicity leading to this culminating point in her young career, Taylor Swift never fails to display the constant humility and honest-to-god graciousness that has defined her career thus far. She does absolutely nothing, but be the person that she is and all her hard work is paying off. Between the powerhouse personas of Beyonce and Lady Gaga contending for “Album of the Year”, it was sweet singing 20-year-old Taylor that came away with the Grammy. A fan of Taylor’s or not, one listen to Fearless will leave you impressed as the entire album is a well-crafted mirror image of Taylor herself. No super producers to be found here. Just a girl, her words, her music, and her story.
Here’s hoping that even with the number of awards you will be sure to win in the future, you never lose that genuine personality that we have all come to love.
It’s been a minute since I’ve last pressed. Unlike my desire to gradually start digitally defragmenting my life by reducing my daily Twitter & Facebook tendencies, writing is definitely something I want to encourage myself to keep up with. Even if a majority of my subject matter deals with meaningless Vanessa Hudgens, Megan Fox, and Taylor Swift banter (what can I say I’m a sucker for brunettes and girls that can sing), I’m still happy to provide a small handful of internet readers out there a laugh or two.
I can only hope that there is a magical factory some where out there that just makes girls that resemble these two. WHICH ONE IS WHICH?!?
I’ve since returned to school for my last semester ever as a college student, and it’s been more of an adjustment than I had originally anticipated. As much as I love to have fun, I’m a natural homebody at heart and I miss home and family more now than ever. Maybe I’m getting old? It’s too bad I can’t for real grow one of those long Brad Pitt-like beards though. Because nothing says wise, weathered, good-natured, mature, experienced, and bad ass all at the same time like nice facial hair.
In spite of my excruciatingly long and boring days now, I’ve found some tranquility in the voice of 20 year old YouTube phenom Alyssa Bernal. After seeing her infectious cover of Jason Mraz’s “Im Yours” a few years back, she has since moved on from “the girl who looks just like Vanessa Hudgens” to being recruited by Pharrell, and signing with Star Trak. Can you say dream come true?
Her singing and talent has improved tremendously since then. She’s got an adorableness and likability that rivals that of Taylor Swift and a voice as soothing as Colbie Caillat. If Justin Bieber and Esmee Denters can go from YouTube to super stardom, this girl is going to be even bigger.
Props to you Alyssa Bernal.
And thanks for making me smile with all your videos.
Like I said. I’m a sucker for brunettes and girls that can sing.
Change is inevitable after every passing year, but man.
2010.
Last semester > graduation > real life. (It sounded so much cooler on the Kanye albums.)
A year of immense growth and monumental changes. All the typical New Year resolutions aside, if there’s one thing I want to remind myself this year it’s to man up. I am so thankful and fortunate for all the blessings in my life that all my daily “problems” and “stresses” fail in comparison to what many other people have to endure.
So, I’m talking to you, future Irwin. When you’re feeling complacent, lazy, unsatisfied, emo, upset – MAN UP dude.
A scene from (500) Days of Summer - "The Copy Room"
Of course, posts like these begin with the all-important disclaimer.
If you haven’t seen (500) Days yet, then I’m probably going to ruin some of the movie for you, but I’m going to try and keep it mostly spoiler-free.
Nevertheless, feel free to read & maybe you’ll be persuaded to see what is already one of my all-time favorite movies.
(Like legit favorite. Megan Fox & Vanessa Hudgens make no cameos in this film.)
As a romantic-comedy, (500) Days of Summer is in a class all on its own. It is completely unorthodox, yet unquestionably real at the same time. The unknown narrator (with his James Earl Jones-like voice) tells us at the very beginning, “This is a story of boy meets girl. But you should know up front, this is not a love story.”
And, a love story it really isn’t. Yet, because of its pure authenticity, you spend the entire 95 minutes hoping that it is.
(500) Days of Summer follows Tom Hansen and the 500 days of his relationship with Summer Finn. A perfect title. Tom, portrayed by none other than Cobra Commander himself Joseph Gordon-Levitt, proves that he has come a long way from his days on 3rd Rock from the Sun. While, the gorgeous Zooey Deschanel embodies the essence of Summer perfectly. She’s quirky, a little bit off, yet undeniably enchanting. After seeing (500) Days of Summer, there are few out there who wouldn’t fall for her too.
(500) Days of Summer tells us that, “There’s only two kinds of people in the world. There’s women and there’s men.”
With that, Tom and Summer represent the opposing stances on love. Tom is a firm believer in fate, destiny, and “the one”. Unlike Summer, who is a nonbeliever in love and relationships. This question of whether love is truly real or just a constructed illusion is brought up many times throughout the film, and a concrete answer isn’t really given. Yet, it is this ambiguity that makes love what it is. As dictated by the movie, regardless of your stance on love and relationships, one day each and every one of us will meet a person that we will get a “feeling” about, even if you believe the circumstances to be pure coincidence or a product of destiny.
The one part that I thought summarized the film in it’s entirety and provided the greatest insight into real relationships was when Tom’s friend, Paul, told the viewers how he met his girlfriend. Paul met Robin in the 7th grade and they just “clicked”. He then goes on to describe the girl of his dreams. “I think technically the ‘girl of my dreams’ would probably have like a really bodacious rack. You know a, maybe a different hair. She’d probably be a little more into sports, but um. Truthfully, Robin is better than the girl of my dreams. She’s real.”
(500) Days of Summer is told in a non-chronological order, jumping between the high and low points of Tom & Summer’s relationship. The emotional turmoil that Tom endures for losing out on “the one” is an experience that many people share after going through failed relationships. In Tom’s case, as he looks back on the days that he and Summer spent together, he begins to realize that the memories he originally thought to have been perfect were not. The expectations that he had for his relationship with Summer were not in line with his reality. A notion that was brilliantly portrayed in the film. Even though Tom believed that Summer was the perfect girl, she may not have been the perfect girl for him.
(500) Days of Summer is an amazing film that presents a different, but real take on love. The soundtrack is nothing less than memorable, and the gorgeous cinematography provides a sense of timelessness.
The final line of the movie is so fitting and so extremely satisfying it would kill me to give it away here.
One of my favorites if not legitimate favorite movie of all-time.
Another late night, another blog update. I feel like I do my best blogging during the “witching hours”. I don’t know why I just said witching hours. Now, I’ve just gone and freaked myself out a little bit.
The months go by and the seasons change, but we never fully realize how fast time has passed until the holidays. It’s easy to become so consumed by our weekly goings-on that we fail to stop for just a second, and soak it all in. Thanksgiving break was just that. A break from the habitual routines and a chance to just be grateful. Thankful for family, friends, and the things that we sometimes take for granted. Satisfied stomachs and satisfied souls.
Yet, even Thanksgiving break can fly right on by. Three more weeks until the end of the semester, and for those like myself who are graduating this upcoming year; it’s going to be our last Fall semester, our last Christmas break, and our last winter on campus. Exams, projects, and finals can make these next few weeks some of the most grueling, but if there’s one thing that you can never get back – it’s time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed (because I know I will), just listen to some Christmas music, breathe in that fresh cold air, and feel that soft powder under your feet. Soak it all in.
Because it’s that time of year.
-I
P.S. This has GOT to be sexiest rendition of “Winter Wonderland” ever created. I’ll definitely have this on repeat with a big grin on my face for the entire winter. =D
To face unafraid
The plans that we’ve made
Walking in a winter wonderland.
Disclaimer: This is the result of a late night, procrastination, and Thanksgiving break.
A burn is damage to your body’s tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight or radiation. Burns can cause swelling, blistering, scarring and, in serious cases, shock and even death.
The five most common causes of burns:
5. Yvonne Strahovski
Yvonne Strahovski as Chuck's Sarah Walker
Type of burn: First-degree (damage to the outer layer of skin) Etiology: Yvonne can be seen with gun in hand as secret agent, Sarah Walker, in NBC’s geek-fest comedy, Chuck. After two smoldering seasons, Chuck returns this upcoming January. From the looks of the commercials they’ve been playing during Sunday Night Football, Yvonne will be back in all her beautiful glory. The greatest thing to come out of Australia.
4. Dianna Agron
Dianna Agron, Glee's Quinn Fabray
Type of burn: Second-degree (damage to the outer later & under layer of skin) Etiology: As Quinn Fabray on Fox’s hit musical dram-edy Glee, Dianna has lit a small fire in the hearts of male viewers all over the world. Despite the bitchy & condescending cheerio she plays on Glee, Dianna is the ultimate sweetheart (see here) as well as an actress completely in love with music and literature. Take her sweet personality and those smoldering eyes, and you may just start experiencing inflammation, redness, and swelling of the skin.
3. Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift - Burning brighter than the sun.
Type of burn: Third-degree (damage to the deepest layer of skin & tissues) Etiology: What more can be said about Taylor Swift? Tonight, she beat the king of pop himself, Michael Jackson, for artist of the year. Yet, after all the awards & accolades, she’s able to remain so humble and gracious. Hypothetically speaking, if it were at all possible, Taylor Swift is the only woman I would marry that is taller than me. (She’s 5′11.)
2. Megan Fox
I wish I was that lawn chair.
Type of burn: Fifth-degree (damage to your entire functioning human anatomy) Etiology: Seriously. Do I need to even explain this one? Jennifer’s Body should be released on blu-ray within the next month or so. This means an hour and a half of Megan Fox in all high-definition glory. My eyes will burn and there will be a worldwide shortage of tissues.
1. Vanessa Hudgens:
Yeap, I'd say that's a pretty seductive stare.
Type of burn: Fifth-degree (your body will turn into ash) Etiology: She sings, dances, acts, is cute as a button, and has the sexiest legs on earf. Zac Synder, director of 300, has casted her to play a gun-wielding prostitute in her next movie Sucker Punch. Re-read that and just THINK of all the possibilities. And she’s playing Beauty in a real-life interpretation of Beauty and the Beast? I should’ve auditioned for the role of Beast cause DAMN.
I haven’t updated my blog on anything about Megan Fox & Vanessa Hudgens in awhile.
Think it’s time we changed that.
So, I do my fair share of right-click-saving & keeping up to tabs with my two loves.
(It’s really easy when you follow Team Megan Fox & Vanessa Fans on Twitter.)
Hypothetically speaking.
If Megan Fox & Vanessa Hudgens went to college and walked the streets of U of I, THIS is what they would look like…
Venti Caramel Machi-hotness. After a long night of studying at Grainger, those glasses, & no make up? Something about this picture that makes it SO hot still. Just about the fox-iest engineering student you'll ever see.
Oh hey, let me walk down the Green Street after doing some shopping at Urban. November and I'm wearing aviators? The weather is SO nice on campus this time of year. I can wear Irwin's button down without any pants.
Maybe they secretly do go to school here? That would explain why the weather has been so warm recently.
My favorite sketches from this past weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live with host Taylor Swift.
I personally thought she did an great job. One of the best hosts they’ve had recently. She’s got such a natural knack for comedy. It also doesn’t hurt that shes completely adorable.
