Post 56: All Good Things Must Come to an End

"All good things must come to an end." - Chaucer

It seemed only fitting to quote Chaucer for this post, it fits so well with what I'm going to discuss and I will be taking a class all about him and his works next semester. (Yes, summer classes. Will talk more about that at another time.)

I don't know how Chaucer would have felt about my using his quote in a post about TV shows and other series. But, hey, maybe after I've taken the class I will be able to get back to you about that.

Anyway, all good things must end, before they go bad. I mean, one way or the other good things end but it is better to end them before things start to go sour. While this could be applied to relationships, jobs, and other things I feel that this applies most truthfully to series. 

For example, X-Files. I feel like over the years X-Files kind of lost its footing. It was once a really interesting show, but at some point the repetitive nature just became tiresome. And once Mulder and Scully had, essentially, abdicated their place as the main characters it lost me. And it didn't really need so many movies. 

Bewitched was the same way. Now I don't want to talk too much about Bewitched because I plan on writing a review on it, but I want to talk about it a little bit.

As a show, it had its faults but also had some really interesting deeper messages. After all, Samantha was the one with power and Samantha was the one that always saved the day in the end. So, even though the show might seem to advocate women as a housewife, subordinate types lets not forget who was saving who at the end of every episode.

But after they replaced Darrin and Mrs. Kravitz and time went on the show lost some of the message. Darrin seemed more condescending and Mrs. Kravitz was just annoying. Also, Samantha saving the day every time, but Darrin still lecturing her about using magic seemed annoying. Tabitha, also having powers, was also a cause for trouble. She was being told not to use her powers, as well, but not actually given the choice to give them up like Samantha had.

It really should not have gone on so long. And the remake (which won't be discussed in the TV review) was horrible! And it totally lost the feminist message of the original. In so many ways. One major way was that even though Kidman's character was the main character (after all she played Samantha and was the witch) Ferrell's character got more screen time. He gets a long scene about his mourning their breakup where he is alone on screen then when he is crying over the little witches on Halloween, but in her scene, HE shows up on every channel. He is still in HER mourning scene. 

Maybe this wouldn't have bugged me so much before, but now that I've taken classes in analyzing films, I notice these things so much more. I also have now written an essay about Bewitched and the feminism behind it.

Family Guy, as well, mostly because the show's characters seem to lose intelligence and get more annoying as the show goes on. I mean, Brian's character started off as intelligent with legitimate views, but slowly turned into a sheep that blindly followed the liberal party without actually doing anything. (Something that was established in an episode of the show when Quagmire points it out to him that he claims to be against big business, pro-cannabis, and anti-homelessness but how he does nothing active besides shoving his views down other people's throats.) His character is also an atheist, which would be fine, but seems ridiculous considering that both God and Jesus are characters that turn up regularly on the show. He has even met them both but still does not recognize them as real.

Lois also seems to get dumber as the show goes on. And at some point her attitude towards Peter gets annoying. I mean, Peter isn't a saint. His character is flawed from the ground up. However, since the first episode, she keeps getting mad at him for behaving like himself. He is an idiot, plain and simple. So, he will do stupid things when left unattended. Which he does, then she gets mad. It is like X-Files. The "he does something that anyone, literally anyone, could have told you he would do, she gets mad at him but doesn't leave" plot has gotten old.  

This applies to book series and movies that go on past the point where they should, and mostly people just keep going because they are fans already. Like Confessions of a Shopaholic. I kept going until Shopaholic and Baby, but her character is no longer loveably flawed. She is just kind of annoying, spoiled, and selfish, as I have already gone through all the sympathy I have for her character. 

And movies, has anyone heard there is going to be a Pirates of the Carribean 5? The fourth one lost two main characters, changed Jack's character, and was not nearly as adventure-based as the first three. I went because of Depp and because I liked the first three, but I never watched it again. And as much as I like the original and Depp, I probably won't go see the 5th.

Just let the series die already. Don't ruin it any more than it has already been ruined. Leave on a high note. Seriously...just STOP.

Anyway, it is getting tedious writing this on my phone. So, that is all for now!

Any series you think it is time to put out to pasture?

Any series you never want to end?

Post 55: Interviews and Nerves

While my résumé certainly isn't blank, I have not had many interviews. In fact, I've only had two. Wow. When I write that out I am truly aware of how shocking that is. I mean, two. That is so few. (Haha, that rhymed.)

Right now, I am waiting for more my third interview to start and I am very nervous. I mean, I've only had two interviews. And one was more a formality than anything else, I technically already had the job. So, the butterflies are aflutter. 

My first interview, I was really nervous as well. But it was really easy. It was to be a cashier at Wild Rivers over the summer. It was a mass interview process. Basically, hundreds of people who wanted to interview were given a time. They check-in in a massive group and then that group slowly is moved from place to place. I think three hours passed between the time arrived and the time I actually interviewed. Lots of time to build up stress,  but quite a bit of time to just reign it back in as well.

The interview itself went well, I am blessed with a natural talent in getting people to talk about themselves. So, I think he said just as much about himself as I said. We even had a chance to talk about his kids and how he moved to California. 

But this is a group interview, so I don't even know how this will work. My step-sister went to a group interview but I suspect this will be different.

~~~___~~~___~~~___~~~___~~~___~~~___~~~___~~~___~~~___~~~___~~~

So, my interview is over now! 

I didn't get to finish this beforehand because I had to finish filling some things out and then I got to talking to this really nice girl who was also there for the interview. Her name is Natasha, she seems really cool. She is going to be Psych major with a Phil minor. 

So, hope I got the job. Hope she got the job as well, it would be cool to work with her. There was another girl who sat on my right, whose name I wish I could remember (I should have written it down) who it would be interesting to work with her. She started a club called the "Sushine club" because there is a rumour that my Univ. has a high number of student suicides and she and the friend she started it with want to help make people happy to try and dispel the rumour.

It isn't true, by the way. There aren't more suicides or anything. It is okay. It is just an urban legend. There are quite a few floating around about my University.

Anyway, the interview...I think it went well. I think I answered the questions well, I feel like I connected with the interviewer, I got some laughs, and I think I came off as smart, capable, and interested in the opportunity.

Time will tell, but I really hope I got it, 

Fingers crossed! 

What are your interview experiences?

Post 54: Everts and Kirby

This post I am going to dedicate to two past teachers of mine. Like a combined RateMyTeacher review, except longer and more detailed- and I haven't been in their classes in a while. Oh! And as for my RateMyTeacher and RateMyProf, they both might come up but I will do a whole post about them at a later date.

(I don't remember either of their marital statuses, so Ms. for both.)

So first, I want to take a moment to talk about Ms. Everts. (Patti Everts - Ensign Intermediate). I had Ms. Everts in 8th grade for English. At this time I was just starting to get into the real writing kick. I mean, I had dabbled in it before, but it wasn't such a big deal. When I brought her a story, she was so enthusiastic and encouraged me to continue writing, and so I did. I loved getting positive feedback and just hearing that someone had enjoyed something I'd worked to make. I don't think I really would have gotten to writing as much as I have if it weren't for her.

I liked English beforehand, I liked writing but I never really thought about it as something to do more actively. She gave me the courage to pursue creative writing and stories.

Now to talk about Ms. Kirby. I loved Ms. Kirby (Sue Kirby - Heritage Woods Secondary School), she was my English teacher in both grade 11 and grade 12. She was funny and she really tried hard to make the class fun and entertaining for everyone.

I've always been seen as a little strange, for a variety of reasons, but one reason was that I always loved English. Loved it like bees love flowers, ants like sugar, and cats love yarn. I mean, it has always been my favorite class, and before it was an individual class it was my favorite subject. The point is that I am one of those people who naturally enjoys English.

But not everyone does, and Ms. Kirby tried to make it enjoyable for everyone and a lot of the time she did. There is always those stick in the mud types that refuse to get with the program because being cynical and unimpressed is more "cool", but there was a lot of laughter in her classroom.

While Ms. Everts inspired me to write more stories, when I had gotten to 11th grade I had started branching out more into poetry. Poetry for me ranges from fun and light, to very personal. And Ms. Kirby encouraged me to write more and I got the same enjoyment out of writing poetry as I had with writing stories. Except in poetry, I could express more of my self if I choose to.

I mean, no matter what you write, your own personality is bound to rub off some, but poetry really lets you speak from your heart and soul (metaphorically speaking).

Anyway, if I had not had the privilege of studying under these two teachers I don't know where I would be. Stories and poetry have given me a release, an outlet to vent and express joys and frustrations. I honestly cannot imagine what kind of person I would be without writing, and without these great teachers.

 Have you had any teachers that left a lasting impression?
(Either good or bad.)

Post 53: Get off your laptop!

Guess what! This is going to be a rant post. A rant post specifically and whole-heartedly for those people who sit in class and play games or go on Faecbook. Yes, I see you. I see that you are playing a video game, not taking notes. I know you are commenting on that person's status, not paying attention to the lecture, and you know what? That isn't cool. It is a distraction to the people around you and it is rude to the professor.

You might think, oh, they don't know! But, you know what, I'm pretty sure they can guess. It isn't hard to tell when someone isn't paying attention if your eyes are locked on your screen or you are writing when he is going between slides.

Now, I wouldn't have found this so annoying if I hadn't been in class when someone sitting infront of me opened up their laptop and started watching porn. Yes, in class and in front of me (as well as several people around me). I was shocked. One of the people next to me, recovered quicker and said something to them, but really?! There is a time and place for that. There is a time and place for playing video games and there is a time and place for checking Facebook. The classroom is not this place, class time is not this time.

Even before this...event happened, I've always found it kind of distracting. I have always had some issues with my mind wandering, when I should be focusing and when people are around me are not paying attention either I find I am more likely to lose the classroom mindset.

But, mostly, I just don't understand. Why even go to class if you are not going to pay attention? Why not just stay in your dorm room? Most University lectures don't take attendance, it is just assumed you are responsible enough to make your own decisions about your education. However, if they are in class playing games, maybe they aren't.

It is like they don't realize that people can see their screens. It is like when people talk, they don't realize people around them can hear them. It doesn't matter that they aren't actually involved in the conversation, they are in a close proximity so they can hear them.

This came up when I was on the bus the other day, I was sitting in the back and two girls got on and even though they were sitting like four rows ahead of me they were talking so loud I could hear them. They were really rude. They were on their way to school (at 3pm) and they were complaining about how annoying one of their mom's was because she insisted on picking them up. They were saying things like "it is a violation of my privacy", "she doesn't trust me", "she is such a control freak", and "she is just so nosey". I wasn't either of their mothers, but I felt pretty offended having to hear. And it was funny talking about trust when they were on their way back to the school, desperately trying to get back by the time school ends so it wouldn't seem like they had ditched.

Anyway, it comes up other times as well, but this annoyed me the most.

So, that is the end of the rant. At least, for now.

Anyone been in a class or a meeting when someone was on their computer slacking off?

The Butterfly Project (Idea)

This is not the type of thing I normally have reviewed, not that I have done many, but it is something that I want to talk about and it is something that means alot to me. 

The Butterfly Project is something that was created and thought up by somene online. I don't know who, but whoever they are I thank them. 

The Butterfly Project is kind of a social idea for people who cut themselves. 

I do not, but I do know who people who do. In fact, I know more that one person who does, or has in the past. It is surpising. I mean, even people who do not feel that depressed but did it for one reason or another. 

The idea behind the Butterfly Project was that if someone felt like cutting, they draw a butterfly on themself in the area instead. They give the butterfly a name, and  then if they still cut it 'kills' the butterflly. It is basically meant to be a preventive thing. 

Here are the specific rules from the site: 

1. When you feel like cutting, take a marker or pen and draw a butterfly wherever the self-harm occurs.
2. Name the butterfly after a loved one, or someone that really wants you to get better. (Doesn't have to be a person you know, I think it just needs a name.)
3. No scrubbing or washing the butterfly off.
4. If you cut before the butterfly is fades away, it dies. If you don't cut, it lives.

5*. Someone else may draw them on you. These butterflies are extra special. Take good care of them.

6**. Even if you don’t cut, feel free to draw a yourself a butterfly to show your support.

I found this after I found one of my closest friends was involved in self-harm. I sent her the link and talked her into trying it as best I could. She has talked about it since, and I think she has stayed with it too. 

I think this is a good idea. It may not actually stop people from cutting, but it does seem like it would help lessen the chance that they would. Not just because they have to draw and name a butterfly, but because it gives them time where they are focused on something aside from what is upseting them. 

This is not the most widely known thing, but I do hope that it becomes more well-known and more utilized. 

Here is the link to a site that explains more about it and has real people telling their stories and showing their support: 

(So if you cut or know someone who cuts, you should check it out.)

butterfly-project.tumblr.com

Post 52: Inspiration, thy name is Sleep.

I know that all-nighters are not something uncommonly associated with University students. But, they are not as common as people think. Why? They are unpleasant! Not in the moment, usually. It usually doesn't hit you until the next day. The last all-nighter I pulled was to re-do and finish some assignments for class.

Of course, it is not unheard for people to stay without an academic reason. A few years ago I not only pulled an all-night, but a 74-hour stint without sleep. Of course, it ended in laughter. By that I mean, a long bout of hysteria leading to hyperventilation and ending with falling asleep on the floor under a conference table. It actually wasn't unpleasant at all then. I had enough caffeine and sugar to feel totally normal, or at least the facsimile of normal. However, when I woke about two hours later, without the caffeine, sugar, or adrenaline coursing through my veins and the sourness resulting from my sleeping location, I felt like death-warmed over, then dragged behind a car and flung onto my doorstep. It was bad.

Anyway, my more recent one nighter did not go on as long. It only went on for about 40 hours, and then I began to experience auditory hallucinations and decided that meant bedtime. It wasn't like I started to hear voices. I just heard a beeping, a very distinct beeping every few minutes. It started shortly before I got home, continued as I ate dinner, and then followed me as I went down to my room. It sounded like the beep of our dryer. Except, when I first heard it I was outside and the last few times I heard it before going to bed I was in my room and I can't hear the dryer from there.

It was a little unnerving. At first, I thought it might be my phone, but it wasn't.

So, this post is a warning to people that no sleep is no good. I can understand why on occasion it might be considered neccesary. However, it is not something that should be done without a good reason, and sleep should be sought ASAP.

On a side note, I felt so much better the next day, like 200% better. It was probably the deepest sleep I have experienced in a long time. (I actually fell asleep on my iPad and used it like a pillow.)

This sleep after such exhaustion, led me to come up with several potential story ideas. No, I will not share them all. But I will share one.

Someone who loses the ability to sleep and doesn't seem to need it is taken by a government medical group to discover why this person hoping that it can be used to create soldiers that don't need sleep, as well as thinking of potential commercial possibilities. Members of the group start to lose the ability to sleep as well after having contact with the person. It is deemed a disease/illness and the facility is shut down for quartine as they try and figure out the possible side-effects.

I won't say what the side-effects are, but they are not pleasant. It will be interesting to see where this could go further, as well.

Have you ever pulled an all-nighter?

How long have you gone without sleep?