School Insanity

Greetings and salutations!

I'm writing this in the midst of a crazy week at school. If I wasn't busy writing up a lab, I was studying for a midterm or reading the remarkably long Jane Eyre. But I must remember the relativity of my plight: there are children dying in Africa, billions living in appalling conditions worldwide, and people who can only dream of receiving an education. It's so easy to lose perspective when I feel like I'm drowning in work, yet it's important not to take my prosperity for granted.

Thank goodness the weekend is here. I plan on catching up on news and TV, making cookies, and indulging in some über fun church activities. My weekend's soundtrack is sure to be Iron and Wine's latest release: Woman King. If you have yet to discover this indie/folk-genius, I would definitely recommend his album. Sam Beam is the mind behind the whole operation, and his music has developed a pretty large following (for an indie singer) over the past year thanks to iTunes. This newest record is totally intoxicating, and correspondingly addictive. Not only are the tracks perfect for walking around campus and reading textbooks, but they're lovely tunes to fall asleep to as well.

I believe he teaches (or at least taught at one point) cinematography at college, which is really apparent in his stunning music videos. Beam seems to be good friends with The Shins, and has toured with them in the past, even singing one of their songs on the Grammy-winning Garden State soundtrack. If anyone reading this hasn't seen this movie, directed by and starring the fantastic Zach Braff, you're missing out. It's been hailed as The Graduate of this generation, a claim that I think is merited. While I've never been on antidepressants, or lost a parent, this film just rings so true to me, and is a beautiful portrait of the main character's return home and ensuing transformation. It makes me laugh, cry, and think, often simultaneously.

This week has really been a week of the courts, with the Air India ruling here in Canada, and other trials being ruled on in the States (Robert Blake's acquittal, Scott Peterson's sentencing, Lil' Kim's conviction, and today's removal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube). Of course, the Michael Jackson "trial of the century" is ongoing, but it really hasn't received the O.J. attention I thought it would garner (thankfully). Even if these latest accusations are untrue (which they very well may be), creepy things are obviously going on at the Neverland Ranch.

Jackson has clearly caused damage in many kids' lives, and that saddens me so much, but the truly pathetic character in this whole mess is Jackson himself. He is so blatantly out to lunch (as evidenced by the Martin Bashir documentary, his deformed face, attire of pajamas, etc.). It just goes to show that putting a young person in the adult realm of show biz can really screw that individual up in a bizarre way. Jackson sincerely believes that the public will buy his crap about loving children and never having plastic surgery, and he is completely deluding himself about his situation. I just hope justice is served, and maybe he can sort his life out.

I rented Alfie tonight with my family, and despite an initially annoying plot, it had a surprisingly poignant ending, not to mention a fantastically debonair lead actor. I definitely understand Jude Law's reluctance to embrace his "Sexiest Man Alive" moniker, but his gorgeousness is undeniable. Sean Penn was right, though, in defending Law at the Oscars; there are tons of young throwaway actors in Hollywood, but this is certainly not one of them. Law's performances in Cold Mountain, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and Closer demonstrate this undeniably.


















Laugh out loud read of the day: Matthew McKinnon's "The World According to Sly" for the arts division of CBC. It's a hilarious look at Sylvester Stallone's new magazine. I can't actually believe some of the tripe that McKinnon found in this publication; Stallone was clearly never intended to start up a magazine, especially one set up almost exclusively for self-glorification. The best excerpt was: Sly’s Top 10 Tips for Life (page 120): “3. Enthusiasm is like a wonderful disease – keep rubbing it all over yourself until you’re infected.” Who knows? Maybe men will actually read it; I just don't understand how any reader in their right mind could take it seriously. Alright, it's time for bed now.

Bonne journée!