Category Archives: CULTURE

Terrace House: The Reality TV Show You Didn’t Know Your Psyche Needed

Posted on March 6, 2017 | Leave a comment

As a long-time veteran consumer of reality TV – the good, the bad, and the very ugly – I understand the war such entertainment wages on your psyche all too well. The primary appeal of this trashy television genre is that it requires zero effort on the viewer’s end. There’s no witty banter or complicated plot line to follow. There’s just not-so-subtle innuendo, questionable fashion, and best friend betrayal. But if you think this fluff doesn’t leave an impact on you once you stop watching, you’re incorrect.  Continue reading →

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Posted in CELEBRITY, CULTURE

Life Lessons: Privacy Please

Posted on February 28, 2017 | Leave a comment

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A few weeks ago an odd occurrence brought me to my elbows, perched in front of Google and primed to ask some questions. I typed, ‘Is my smartphone listening to me all the time?’ followed shortly by ‘Should I convert to asceticism, move to the woods, and bury my iPhone in a shallow and forgotten grave?’. I’ve heard the myths, read the unsubstantiated claims in semi-reputable publications, and delved deep into the extensive reddit threads, but I have never actually thought my phone was eavesdropping on me.  Continue reading →

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Posted in CULTURE, MISC.

Your True Self(ie)

Posted on October 5, 2016 | Leave a comment

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The Jekyll and Hyde of the 21st century is not a mad scientist struggling with split-personality disorder, but more likely, a savvy millennial struggling with whether or not they should post something online. I often feel that there’s an inner battle taking place in my psyche — between the part of me that strives to be an enigma, and the other, that’s cool with oversharing even if it’s TMI. The past few months have been justifiably hard for me, and during that time, I felt this uncomfortable disconnect on the regular. This feeling of wanting to share what was going on through a photo, or post, but finding that my finger stalled as soon as I actually had to click ‘share’. Continue reading →

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Posted in CULTURE, HEALTH&BEAUTY, MISC.

3rd Annual Oscar Superlatives

Posted on February 29, 2016 | 1 comment

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Last night the 88th Annual Academy Awards took place…annnnnnd there’s nothing that remarkable to report. As per every year I made a point of watching all the nominated movies in the best picture, acting, and directing categories to prepare myself for Oscar night, and just like every year I realize that my tastes strongly differ from the old, white man opinions that represent the Academy. Typically I’m abuzz with excitement for the Oscars, and my brain is whirring whilst I watch, creating quips that I can remark on the following day, but this year was especially lacklustre. I felt that many of the nominees were nothing special, that a good handful of the winners were undeserving of such profound recognition and that the show itself was quite devoid of personality. However – my Oscar superlatives have become somewhat of a tradition, so I shall put my wit and observational skills to the test, and produce my own compilation of ‘Best Of’s. Continue reading →

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Posted in CELEBRITY, CULTURE

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Gal Pal V-Day Tunez

Posted on February 12, 2016 | Leave a comment

GAL PAL VDAY TUNEZ

Continuing on the Galentine’s Day train of thought I thought it might be good to focus in on the *spontaneous dance party* portion of your celebration. This is a necessary component to any top notch Galentine’s Day party – well, actually, to any party worth its salt. Spontaneous dance parties are good for the soul and create a bond with your friends like no other. A true spontaneous dance party will have your friends exhibiting dance moves and behaviours you’ve probably never seen before – this is their true silly selves – take it all in and join in the fun. The sheer joy of letting your guard down, dancing your little heart out, and laughing your ass off when you look up and realize the trance-like state of jubilation your pals are in surely will add years to your life. I’ve compiled a list of tunez to help you and your girls get their dance on – so go forth, do as the old adage from our tweens says, and dance like nobody’s watching! Continue reading →

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Important ANTI Takeaways

Posted on January 29, 2016 | Leave a comment

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Yesterday was hard. Partly because I had a raging head cold. Partly because it was a very gloomy day. But mostly because Rihanna released her new album, ANTI. It was truly difficult to focus and get much done, since all I wanted to do was get better acquainted with the newly released and much anticipated songs – learning the lyrics and melodies. It’s also worth noting that it was especially difficult to dance to, since this cold seems to have wreaked havoc on my equilibrium and energy levels. Thus, the resulting dance moves were wobbly and in slow motion – perhaps I’ll start a new craze that’ll drive the youths wild. Despite the critics divided opinions – ‘it’s messy’, ‘not enough bangers’- I’m into it. I like the overall vibe, the sung sentiments, and especially the variety of badgalriri sounds. Her pop sound is met with an edgier, more creative and personal flare that just proves RiRi’s still got it and then some. Here are 5 poignant takeaway lyrics that will help you live your life with both more clarity and more spunk – á la the badgal herself.  Continue reading →

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Top Albums of 2015

Posted on December 31, 2015 | 1 comment

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2015 was what it was. I’m not exactly looking back on the past 365 days and feeling particularly victorious or nostalgic. In fact, I’m quite keen for a fresh year to begin and am power posing in preparation. And let’s be honest here, 2016 just sounds way better (#EvenNumbersRule #OddNumbersDrool). 2015 came, it went, and I guess if we’re keeping tabs, it conquered. So what, who cares?! But 2015 wasn’t all bad. Great fashion, great fun, and above all else – absolutely dope tunez. So many wonderful albums sang their wonderful melodies to me that I feel it is my duty to return the favour and sing their praises before the clock strikes midnight. Continue reading →

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Holiday Film & Drinking Game Guide

Posted on December 23, 2015 | 2 comments

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My brother and I have always had Christmas Eve traditions that we’re rather *religious* about. In our sweet youth the night consisted of a dramatic reading of The Polar Express by our dad and the lucky boy was allowed to sleep on a mattress on the floor of my bedroom – where we stayed up all night wondering what Santa was laying out for us under the tree. Then came the angsty years where we would hide away from our parents’ friends who would come over for nosh and the two of us would instead down a bag of chips and dip in front of a movie. Now that we’re older we like to prepare a Christmas Eve dinner (usually of seafood, as Italian culture dictates), watch a holiday classic, and drink a decent volume of spiced rum and cokes. We’re a very sophisticated duo my dear brother and I. One year we made the ingenious decision to combine the rum ‘n cokes with the movie watchin’ – and thus, a multitude of holiday drinking games were born! Continue reading →

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An Ode To Grimes

Posted on November 20, 2015 | Leave a comment

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Excuse me while I fan girl out of orbit for a little but – but guys – Grimes is my all time favourite. My absolute jam. Though I only happened upon her a mere 4 years ago, I’m sure, that on some spiritual level I’ve always loved her. Surely it was written in the cosmos that this was the music for me. This is where my dance moves and attempts at Mariah Carey level pitch flourish. Girly, dancey, pop-y, BUT – and this is important – very, very weird. In a GREAT way. Unique. A perspective on pop that is *fresh*, creative, and experimental. I’ve spent the last few years listening to her previous albums, Visions, Geidi Primes, and Darkbloom with abandon, but her recently released album, Art Angels, has had me completely entranced since my pre-ordered copy popped up on my iPhone 2 weeks ago. It is heaven. Continue reading →

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Posted in CULTURE, FASHION

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Must Watch: Master Of None

Posted on November 18, 2015 | Leave a comment

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Excellent T.V. shows are similar to a passing comet. Majestic in their quality, a wonder to behold, and only obliges we earthlings every so-many years. It’s fleeting, but magnificent . While the networks churn out an endless stream of new shows each season, the truly amazing ones are becoming fewer and farther between. And the ones that start out great tend become trite before the season ends. HBO used to be the go-to for top notch shows, but in this new digital frontier, Netflix is the one to beat. Recently the online streaming service released Master Of None, created by the oh-so-endearing Aziz Ansari – and it’s nothing short of masterful. Continue reading →

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