Winklepickers

I am officially obsessed with winklepickers; these shoes are fabulous. Whether you’re going out to a fine establishment that serves alcohol, having a tea party with your pals, or simply taking a stroll in a park these bad boys will serve your feet well. The versatility of these shoes makes them great for completing any outfit, whether you’re dressy, semi-casual, or just plain old casual. I invested in my first pair back in September, and recently bought a pair of winklepicker boots.

Winklepickers were popular in the 1960s during the Rock and Roll revolution and highly popular in the ‘mod scene’. These fancy shoes and/or boots have been sported by and made iconic by some pretty talented people… Let’s just say I want more!

Bob Dylan:

The Beatles:

Elly Jackson:

Ladyhawke:

So if you’re in the market for a pair of winklepickers, I suggest shopping around at your local vintage stores where these gems abound. I happened to luck out on mine seeing as how it’s hard to find size 7s. If you happen to like/own a pair, then I guarantee you we will be insta-friends.

Here are my lovelies:

What is love?

That’s right ladies and gentlemen, it’s almost that blasted time of year again… Valentine’s Day! Even saying those words in my head makes me want to gag; this was a ‘holiday’ originally created by those at the card companies, but has now expanded to nearly every market imaginable (CHA-CHING). While I do not necessarily embrace the whole concept of Valentine’s Day (i.e. professing one’s love for someone on a particular day through cheap flowers, expensive cards, and gaudy stuffed animals), I’m not opposed to ‘love’ itself. But what exactly is love?

I think love is something undefinable, simply because there are so many types of love that one can experience at any given point in time, which may mean something in particular to one person, but something completely different to another individual. To me though, love is that warm feeling, that sort of jolt you get in your stomach when you see the person in question, and you lose yourself in that person completely and can’t help but smiling. It’s that melody that starts playing whenever you’re in the vicinity of your loved one, and the act of taking everything that they (loved one) are and embracing their entire person (good and bad), knowing that they’ll do the same for you. Love is feverish, like a disease, but a disease that can bring great joy; ultimately, to me love can be a scary thing, but for all the low points of love, the high points more than redeem them.

That being said, I should let you know that I’m not generally this open about my feelings in general, let alone my views on love and relationships, but deep deep deep down inside, I’m secretly a big softie. Gosh that was hard to say. Anyway, I decided to compile a list of some good films and songs about love and all that jazz. In terms of movies I would recommend;

- Amélie; this film is set primarily in Montmartre (who wouldn’t go gaga for that scenery) and Audrey Tautou’s character portrayal is so endearing that you just want to give her a big hug. Of course the film is about more than just love, it’s about life, destiny and the idea of serendipity. But of course, these themes all interconnect with the whole love theme.
- Garden State; I cannot tell you how obsessed I was with this movie when it first came out. It sort of reminds me of my life; a random sequence of events lead the main character to love (apparently I have a thing for serendipitous films).
- Serendipity; go figure I would include this film? Basically, a guy and a girl meet randomly and spend some time together, both with the feeling of love-at-first-sight, but both unavailable, and part ways. A few years later, the universe reunites them and they are actually given the opportunity to fall in love.
- Imagine Me & You; I just really think this movie is cute. No explanation needed.
- Breakfast At Tiffany’s and The Roman Holiday; I absolutely adore Audrey Hepburn, so naturally I had to include some of her films. Both are classics and you should already at least know the plot (vaguely?).
- Ever After; call me a sap, but I love this movie. I watch it a lot. Yup.
- The Princess Bride; a good mix of fantasy, humour and romance. What could be better?

In terms of love songs, I mostly listen to;

- Bruises by Chairlift, Something by the Beatles, Cosmic Love, You’ve Got The Love, Between Two Lungs, Drumming Song, Howl by Florence + The Machine, Love Is A Losing Game (I know it’s about not… love, but it’s good) by Amy Winehouse, Blue Light by Bloc Party, I Found A Reason by Cat Power, Comme Des Enfants by Coeur De Pirate, Combinations, Brightly Wound, Marsh King’s Daughter by Eisley, Brandy Alexander by Feist, You Picked Me by A Fine Frenzy, There For You by Flyleaf, Falling Slowly by A Swell Season, Echo by The Hush Sound, 5 Years Time by Noah and the Whale, One Sweet Love by Sara Bareilles, Weak In The Knees by Serena Ryder, Heart by Stars, Not Tonight, Where Does The Good Go, My Number by Tegan and Sara, Hysteric and Maps by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, etc., etc. I could go on forever…

But what IS love? On that note I’ll leave you with this…

Self-Absorption

Some people in this world can be so completely self-absorbed that they overlook the fact that everyone has feelings. Treating people as though they were nothing more than a piece of rubbish is totally unacceptable, and you want to know something? Simply because you’re nice SOMETIMES does not make you a nice person; a nice person is someone who is nice all the time, not simply when it is convenient or advantageous for them. Everyone has needs, but you don’t need to walk all over people to achieve said needs.

One of my favourite Oscar Wilde quotes is “Crying is the refuge of plain women but the ruin of pretty ones.” I love Wilde dearly, but I’m going to have to disagree with his genius on this one… crying can serve as the refuge for everyone; it is the expulsion of sadness and stress, and call me morbid if you will, but I think people are the most beautiful when they cry. Not because they’re sad, but because in that state of vulnerability, their true self is revealed. In these times when everyone is guarded and lives behind a facade I think that crying can do a world of good.

Staring = Caring?

This post is going to make me sound completely self-absorbed, self-important, vain, narcissistic, etc. Alas, this is not true. I would like to know why people feel the need to stare at me (and whoever I am with, and vice versa) in an awkward, creepy manner. Over time I have compiled a list of conceivable reasons for the staring and what said individuals who stare may be thinking. They are as follows;

1. My hair (“oh my god, I can’t believe that girl has hair”)
2. My face (“oh my god, look at that horrifying girl over there”)
3. My unibrow (“oh my god, I think that unibrow is staring at me”)
4. My clothes (“oh my god, that person looks androgynous, they won’t get any male attention”)
5. Food on my face (“oh my god, that girl has a chocolate moustache”)
6. My default face (“oh my god, that girl looks like she’s going to hurt me”)
7. My unibrow (“oh my god, I can’t believe I made out with that girl, her unibrow tried to eat me”)
8. Taking my retainer out (“oh my god, that girl took her retainer out and got spit in her friend’s drink but didn’t say anything”)
9. My application of makeup (“oh my god, why is that girl wearing clown-face”)
10. My unibrow (“oh my god, I think that girl’s unibrow is winking at me”)

This is what I look like, what do you think it could be?

All dolled up for a night on the town!

I am Canadian… but not today

I was supposed to go snowshoeing today, something that is intrinsically Canadian. Do you think I got to go? NO. Why is that you ask? Apparently the buses in Quebec/Hull/Gatineau do not run on Sundays. This is because the French are super religious, to the point that nothing happens on Sundays except church. Why, when everything else has become secularized, is the bus system in Quebec still running on 1950s mode. News flash, the nuclear family doesn’t exist, women are in the workforce, organized religion is losing its popularity. Time for a change!

A Year In Review; The Music That Had Me At Hello

Wow. 2009. Another year gone, another decade begun. This makes me feel unbelievably old despite my youth. Let’s not get too tangential though, let’s get straight to the meat of this here sandwich!

This year was a great year musically. My god this year was a good year of music. Some of my favourite artists released new material, and I also discovered some new acts. I thought of maybe creating a top ten list, but then immediately rejected this idea as I cannot choose favourites, for I like the music for different reasons. So in no particular order;

1. It’s Blitz! – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

This band never fails me. Never. This album is really great, and makes for one of those really good music ditties to just pop the headphones in and relax. I immediately took to the song Dull Life when I first started listening to It’s Blitz!, and if you’re looking for the more upbeat songs on the album, I would also suggest Zero and Heads Will Roll. However, my favourite song on the album by far is Hysteric. I would always skip over this song without really listening to it in it’s entirety until one day I listened to all 3:52 of the track and I was hooked. There’s a certain vulnerability to Karen O’s voice in this song that I think we can all appreciate and relate to, and being the hopeless romantic I am, it just makes me really happy in general. It’s Blitz! is a great album that is definitely worth your time.

2. To Lose My Life – White Lies

With the new wave of 80’s revivalist bands, I was a bit skeptical that the aforementioned (amazing) decade could be reproduced in a genuine and effective manner, without conforming to contemporary society’s demand for the grandiose theatrics you see in the mainstream music scene. White Lies however, has done a great job. Their songs are catchy and somewhat reminiscent of Joy Division and Interpol, their lyrics are clever and overall the feel of the 1980s is there in full force. If you’re looking for a softer ballad-esque song, I think Death is a great place to start. I especially like the lyric “I love the feeling when we lift off, watching the world so small below, I love the dreaming when I think of, the safety in the clouds out my window, I wonder what keeps us so high up, could there be love beneath these wings”. If you prefer a heavier, more guitar/drum driven song Farewell to the Fairground is great too. Finally my personal favourite from To Lose My Life is E.S.T. There’s something really dark and macabre about this song that I find appealing; it beckons to the darker side in all of us, and makes for a great moody 1980s anthem. Check out To Lose My Life if you haven’t done so already, it won’t disappoint.

3. Lungs – Florence & the Machine

Florence and her machine have done it; they successfully made my lungs run dry and gasp for a breath! This album is fantastic and I can say in earnest that I do not dislike, or have an apathetic feeling toward a single track. Considering this is their first album, they have done an amazing job. Although I have many favourite albums from 2009, I’d have to say this one is at the top of my list. Florence incorporates such an eclectic variety of musical stylings, along with a unique vocal storytelling that I get the impression that I’m listening to Kate Bush. Like the idiosyncratic Kate, Florence uses a wide variety instruments, (including a harp, how amazing is that?) and at times makes me want to cry, rejoice in euphoria, or get into a fight with someone at others. Cosmic Love and Between Two Lungs are definitely my favourite tracks from the album; both are very simple, but in their simplicity weave a magical sound that I cannot fully justify through words (so go check it out for yourself). Dog Days Are Over is another great song that really makes me happy and want to go out into the world and live life to the fullest. To Florence; I commend you on your album Lungs, I can only describe it as mind blowing.

4. Fantasies – Metric

Metric has been a favourite of mine for some time now, and in my eyes, Emily Haines and the boys are gods. Fantasies is their fourth album and it is full of goodies. I’ve always admired Metric for their incorporation of indie rock/synthesizers/melodic tunes/Haine’s smooth-as-ice vocals, and this album is no different. The band really took their time writing this album and I think this is reflected in the lyrics, vocals and overall zest. Twilight Galaxy is a song for the dreamers among us, for the downtrodden who have been subjected to the ‘voice of capitalism’ telling them they should conform and do the typical (go to school, graduate, look for a job). I think Twilight Galaxy was the first song I fell in love with; its simplicity and lyrical magic are captivating and make me feel as though not all is lost… I can still follow my heart and dreams. Similarly, the song Gold Guns Girls is a great song which really condemns capitalistic society and really makes you question the Western Hemisphere’s manner of living- greed and overconsuption; I think the lyric “is it ever gonna be enough?” sums it up. On a completely different note, Satellite Mind is another great song; although the tempo is fast and the guitar riffs are heavy, you get the sense that this song is really about a loss, and yearning for someone. Basically, Metric has impressed me yet again, and I tip my hat off to Ms. Haines for sneaking in her advocacy on certain political issues.

5. La Roux – La Roux

As I blogged at an earlier date, La Roux is fan-flippin-tastic. Their self-titled debut makes me want to dance every time it comes on, regardless of how awkward I feel and subsequently everyone around me feel. This is another band that has mastered the 1980s synth/electropop revival. Of course, as with most people, my favourite track on the album is Bulletproof. The song has a certain universality about it that almost anyone can related to; the song doesn’t necessarily have to be interpreted as a relationship song, but can also be applied to almost anything from friendship, work, school, etc. It doesn’t hurt that the song has a great beat and makes me want to dance my arse off (I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s my favourite track, according to my official iTunes playlist, I’ve listened to it a total of 190 times make that 191 times). Although some people may not enjoy the falsetto in In For The Kill, it is in my opinion another great track. It’s simple and is a statement of what we all wish we could do with ease; seize the opportunity and just go out and get what we want. Also, on a more personal note, this band is great live; Elly (the frontwoman) is full of energy and gets the crowd riled up, and is also a pretty great dancer. I expect great things from this band, and so should you!

6. Music For Men – (The) Gossip

Here’s another great band that I think more people should know about. The Gossip has been at it (music scene) for some time now, and their latest album Music For Men is pretty great. I’m not sure whether it’s Beth Ditto’s gospel/soul/funk filled voice or the bands eclectic feel (and great drumming on Blilie’s part/ great guitar and bass playing on Paine’s part), but something about their music just clicks with me. Whenever I listen to a song like Dimestore Diamond, I get a little more swagger in my step and feel like I can conquer the world. Heavy Cross is another great, a harder edged love ballad perhaps? Finally, for me the song Spare Me From the Mold is a favourite… it’s sort of empowering, and I may sound like a weirdo for saying this but I think that it makes me feel like I should be a badass assassin stalking my prey. Obviously I’m not really an assassin (my clumsiness sort of bars me from this profession), but it’s all about imagination, and this song’s got it. I also feel like Spare Me From the Mold should have been a track used in the video game Wet. So what are you waiting for? Go get Music For Men!

7. Sainthood – Tegan and Sara

Finally, what kind of ‘Best of 2009′ music review would it be if I didn’t mention Tegan and Sara? Sainthood is the lovely ladies’ sixth studio release and is jam packed with some great tunes. At first I wasn’t sure what to make of the album (to all T&S fans, please don’t kill me for that statement), but with time I grew to fully enjoy the album. This album was the first time the sisters wrote together, and it produced a very unique feeling album. Sainthood’s dischordant yet melodic sound reels you in slowly and gets you hooked. The Ocean is by far my favourite on the album for it’s vulnerability and honesty; who hasn’t, in some point in their life, wished that certain someone hadn’t fallen out of love with you or vice versa? Second to The Ocean, for me is Alligator; the song is well written and composed and is made all that much better by Sara’s vocal sytlings- not only is she a great singer (pfft, like that even needed to be said) but her voice is very cute on this track. Overall, this album is another great addition from Tegan and Sara to add to my music collection. So yes, I do think Tegan and Sara need to be canonized so they finally get their Sainthood status!

Overall, 2009 was an amazing year musically; my ears have been listening to all the aforementioned albums on repeat and haven’t really grown tired of any of them. If you haven’t given a listen to these albums, or for that matter have not even heard of these bands, now is the time to check them out. On another note, I feel that Dragonette’s release of Fixin’ To Thrill deserves an honourable mention; the entire album is packed full of fun, dance-y songs that you would appreciate if you like electronica. So what am I looking forward to in 2010? I am anticipating the release of New Young Pony Club’s newest album which is due out sometime in March. Give a listen to their first track from the new album here.

Tegan and Sara

I should be in bed. I have class in the morning. Alas, I am not tired.

The Super Twins

In just 8 short days, yes that is EIGHT days, I will be seeing something so amazing, so fantastic, so mind blowingly awesome that I might not recover (if I don’t recover, sell this house and find something lost outside your window, not forever). What could I possibly be referring to? Oh I don’t know, maybe, possibly one of my favourite bands ever? Oh yeah, that’s it. After a long 6.5 year relationship (I wish) with the Quin Twins, I finally get to see them live. This has always been a dream of mine, seeing them live, but it never came to fruition until now.

So why exactly do I like them you ask? Well first of all, they write really good songs; lyrically they’re clever and creative, rhythmically/musically they’re naturals. Secondly, I relish the fact that they are a Canadian band. I like to throw my support behind good Canadian acts when I can, and so should you (while you’re at it check out Metric, Stars, Lights, Dragonette, Lightning Dust)! Thirdly, though I have never seen then in concert, like most of Tegan and Sara’s fans I am quite obsessed loyal and watch videos of them playing live, and their onstange banter is quite something. Basically, go listen to their stuff if you’ve never heard it before… or else!

Reppin' Australia

On a final note, the band An Horse will be supporting Tegan and Sara on their Canadian tour. I discovered them over the summer and have also quite enjoyed their music (their accents are cute, what’s not to love)! I even bought their album off of iTunes so if you’re cute I can look into sending the songs to you.

The only thing left to be said is this; Sara will you go out with me?

Paris, tu me manques

Une jolie photo de Champs-Élysées et l'Arc de Triomphe

Ca fait long temps que je me suis promené dans les rues de Paris. Pendant mon premier et seule visite au beau pays de France, j’ai eu seulement 15 ans. Quelques années plus tard et je suis quand même en amoureuse avec le France, et Paris en particulier. Si j’aurais l’opportunité de déménager à Paris, j’imagine que je chercherais pour une place à Montmartre. Il y a des nombreuses films qui prend place dans cette arrondissement; Le destin fabuleux d’Amélie Poulain, La môme, Moulin rouge (évidement). Aussi, plusieurs d’artistes célébrés y inclus van Gogh, Picasso, Monet et Dalí ont pris résidence dans le même arrondissement. Je te promets mon chère, je vais te retourner. A ce moment, la collection des photos de mon voyage sont limité, mais j’espère que plus tard je peux ajouter plus.

Chamonix (oui c'est moi à gauche)

l'Arc de Triomphe

Moulin Rouge

Notre Dame de Paris

Wanting What We Can’t Have

Wanting what we can’t have; why do we all operate this way? The more something or someone is unattainable, the more we lust after it/them. I for one, am definitely no less susceptible to this strange phenomena.

So really, why is it that humans almost always yearn for what they can’t have? Is it because the void of not having that thing you want so dearly leaves heaps of room for fantasizing and idealizing? Does that certain person’s disinterest only further fuel your want? I don’t really know why we do it, for if I did I would have cured myself of this disease long ago.

Status Updates

A lot of the time status updates are boring, mundane, trivial, complaints. However, there are those odd times when they’re done just right. Now I might be biased, but I’d like to think that I sometimes have some good stuff. Anyway, here’s a compilation of some of my best;

“To the drug dealer in my house; one of your clients came looking for the goods. They weren’t sure where you lived, nor was I since I have no idea who you are (ooh it’s like clue- who sells the stuff, in what room, in what form), so they got nervous and left. I was told to forward this message. That is all.”

This happened. Honestly. I was alone in the house, and probably shouldn’t have answered the door, and in walks this very nervous little man. He was fidgety and his beady little eyes were darting everywhere at a ridiculous rate. He then whispered, “Do you have the ma*shhhhhhp*”. I didn’t hear what he said, so he repeated it and I heard him properly and laughed. I assured him I had no idea who sold the stuff, and then his hopes fell but he continued to stand in my hallway for what seemed like an eternity.

Chow (my name): “is fully aware that she is androgynous-looking and can pass for a boy, but really… she is quite thankful that you enlightened her on this matter!”

I was informed, by someone who I may or may not have been ’seeing’, that I was androgynous looking. Thank you. I like stating the obvious too; you’re an idiot! This same person later told me that I would receive a lot more attention if I dressed like, you know, a girl. Also, this person told me I was not allowed to dress in American Apparel clothing. That’s right, they forbid me from sporting anything AA.

“Dear Middle Aged Lady With Hair On Your Chin, Just because you CAN stand really close to me on the bus and subsequently breathe your vile breath into my face while your hand is strategically placed on my crotch does not mean you HAVE to. There’s a difference. On a side note, I enjoyed our intimate moment. Sincerely, Your Bus Buddy KChow”

I think this one is self-explanatory.

“It’s all fun & games until a spider flies off of my bag and I scream like a girly girl… in class…”

I’m sure you can surmise from the status about my androgyny, that I’m not the most girly of girls, except when it comes to spiders. This spider flew off my bag and started crawling towards me at a terrifying pace and I screamed. In class. Then I started wiggling around in my chair because it was still hurtling towards me like some foul leviathan. I kept hitting the girl beside me who proceeded to give me dirty looks until she saw the spider coming. She then started to squeal. It was a chain reaction. Everyone thought I was insane.

Well, that’s it folks!