It's Coming ....

So I realized I have less than two weeks of class left and only another two weeks of exams after that and then I'm done. Graduated, booted out into the cold, cold world that is real life. Except not really because I'm going to school elsewhere next year. So technically I have one more summer to milk the student attitude and lifestyle I've become so accustomed to (with some changes). And it's a good thing because boy am I not ready to grow up - at ALL. So instead of making a list of personal Goalatudes (which last year went quite well, actually) I am going to be brainstorming things I want to do with friends or fun things to do on my own. I also fully expect to enlist the help of my fellow blogette and bring some healthy ridiculousness to the blogosphere by documenting my fresh graduate antics in what shall henceforth be called The Real (non)Housewives of Oakville (season 3 because this will be the 3rd summer we are actively up in each other's business). Until then .....

Here's a little something to get you in the mood for summer craziness:

Congratulations

I've just begun to listen to MGMT's new album Congratulations. So any feeling I have about it is extremely fresh. I haven't had time to completely let it seep in, nor have I decided whether I really like it. Overall first impressions though is that it is pretty good and I definitely want to listen to it again. Oracular Spectacular was a perfect album for the summer of 2008 and I hope that Congratulations will fit into this niche on my ipod as well. The album will officially be released in the next few weeks but for now the band is graciously streaming it HERE, and since this graciousness was prompted by a premature leak, I'm sure one would be able to download the entire thing for their listening pleasure elsewhere.

Have One On Me .... Okay!

Gah! I want so bad! Are you there God? It's me, Cait. I want Joanna Newsom's new album for my birthday please!

Good Intentions Paving Company:

I should note that I was never a Joanna fan. The one song I like was Peach, Plum, Pear and that took quite a bit of getting used to. Her voice was at first a bit much for me to take, but I think she's really done something wonderful here and it might even inspire me to go back and reconsider my position on Ys or Milk-Eyed Mender - might.
Oh, and happy Saturday!

An Education

First off, I know I haven't blogged in a while but I was under great duress as the date for my seminar presentation on Le Morte d'Arthur drew closer over the past 2 weeks. Thankfully that presentation has, as of 4pm today, been delivered and since I am zapped of any useful energy to direct toward the four essays I must now complete, I've decided to do a little something here. So forgive this delayed post but I simply must talk about An Education.

I am so desperately in love with everything about this film. The story, the clothes, the music - it is all more wonderful than the last. The message of this film is so inspiring and I really cannot say enough about the performances, especially that of Carey Mulligan. What prompted me to watch An Education was the impending Oscars. I realized that I had only seen one of the films nominated for best picture - UP! - yes I was woefully out of the movie loop and that hasn't really changed too much quite honestly. I still haven't seen Avatar, Precious or The Hurt Locker. But I was so there for It's Complicated which is one of my favourite films of 2009 so I suppose that somewhat makes up for it. Anyway, come Oscar weekend I was feeling particularly lazy and so I decided to watch a couple movies that were up for some nominations. I watched Up in the Air which I thought was okay, but that Anna Kendrick did not deserve a nomination and Vera Farmiga's character left me unimpressed.

Then I watched An Education and was blown away by how such a simple story could resonate so much with me. As a soon to be University graduate the one nosy question I get most from anyone is what I plan on doing with my life. The second, once someone learns of my concentration is a little more judgemental - Classics and English Literature, they say, do you plan to teach? Um no. And so when Carrey's character struggles with decision to attend university (which she sees as inevitably leading to a sad life as a teacher) or letting her much older beaux take care of her and forego her education completely I was excited. Finally a story that valued education and not vacuous beauty/charm. Also endearing Carey's Jenny is so enjoyable to watch. She's smart, she's sweet, she's sharp. Oh I lover her even in all her silliness, she is jsut 17 after all. Another trait that endeared me to her was her struggle with Latin, I hear ya sister! If you are firmly anti institutional education, then perhaps this is not the film for you. If you, however, Are begging to be shown why you've spent four years tirelessly working away at dead languages and dead poets - look no further. 

Oh right, the soundtrack. I loved just about every song I heard in this film. Particularly these two:

Sur Les Quais Du Vieux Paris by Juliette Gréco

Smoke without Fire by Duffy
click to listen

Happy Hump Day

"barney is more concerned with “dynamic range compression” and “the loudness wars” than the fact that he has shitty taste in music"

It's that time of the week again, when I try to make it a little more bearable for myself by bringing the cute, cuddly, and delightful. Check out http://hipsterpuppies.tumblr.com/ because quite frankly, it is the best.

Cozumel Veggies.

Ever since I can remember my mum has had papier mache veggies in the kitchen. I loved them and used to play with them. Yes, I played with veggies - moving on. When my mum moved to Wisconsin these veggies disappeared (read: I'm sure she threw them out) and I missed them terribly. Luckily on her recent trip to Cozumel she picked some up and sent me a picture for proof. I love them, even if they are extra shiny, unlike their original counterparts. Also there are some additions to the original bunch, like the avocado and is that a hot yellow pepper. What is with this new fangled veggie platter?

Canadian Music, Olympic Misfire

Watching the latter part of the Olympic Closing Ceremonies last night I was struck by what awful choices of performers the organizers had made. I couldn't even respect them let alone enjoy them. As each act was announced I became more and more frustrated and ragey. Canada is home to some truly wonderful musicians. There are the world renowned standards such as Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and The Guess Who. Then there are the decidedly more contemporary established artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Celine Dion, Michael Buble, The Hip. And then there are the critical darlings, popular and bursting with talent; The Arcade Fire, The New Pornographers, Stars, the list really goes on and on. So why then was the concert portion of last nights ceremony packed with such dreadful artists? Nickelback, Avril Lavigne, Hedley, Simple Plan? Not only are these bands (save for Nickelback, unfortunately) irrelevent internationally. They are barely respected in Canada. Most people, excepting adolescents whose track record of music choice should be written off entirely, cringe when these bands come on the radio.

Now, nobody likes a complainer who brings no constructiveness to the situation so I've compiled a list of my dream performers/songs. They are mainstream enough not to scare off older/younger folks and relevant/hip enough to satisfy people like myself. A little more saucy and a lot more entertaining:


The Arcade Fire - Wake Up, Neighbourhood #3(Power Out), Rebellion (Lies)
K'Naan - Wavin' Flag (or, because that is the World Cup song), Take A Minute
Lights - Saviour or Second Go
Feist - Mushaboom or 1 2 3 4
Dragonette - Take it Like a Man
The New Pornographers - The Bleeding Heart Show
Stars - The Night Starts Here
Sam Roberts - Bridge to Nowhere

<3 <3 <3
Drool. I really, really want to live here. Details.

Watch the Cupola Film and prepare to lust after this penthouse that mixes classic and modern finishes.

Of course this is but a dream for the majority of us but just think, some lucky person is actually going to live there! everyday they'll get to wake up in that cupola. Jealous.