Random Thursday: Top 5 Worst TV Shows

I'm not sure about Meg, because she's new here, but Lin and I watch a LOT of TV. Hey, we're busy modern ladies with a lot on our plates and limited energy. Don't go judging. Anyway, in our trolling for great TV, we unfortunately encounter a lot that isn't up to par. This week's topic is all about the ones that made us laugh (derisively), shake our heads, or just stare in horror:

I tend to just seek out the TV I want to watch and spend very little time surfing the channels, but I have been unfortunate enough to come across a few truly AWFUL shows - mostly when we were in Cuba and had about three English channels all with terrible TV on them. Here are a couple:

1. Moonshiners

I have never come across a more mind-rotting, boring, prejudice-inspiring form of "entertainment."  If you've never seen it, don't. You can thank me later when you need those brain cells for something.

2. Couple's Therapy

One word. "Dourtney." 

3. Hart of Dixie

I honestly have no idea why this show is still on the air. Rachel Bilson as a surgeon? Are you KIDDING me?? Just no.

4. Pretty much any reality TV show

I don't care if it's about teen pregnancy, coupon collecting, hoarding (which is pretty much the same thing), budgeting, controlling unruly children or planning a wedding on a budget. HATE. THEM. ALL.

5. Toddlers & Tiaras

I haven't actually watched this one, but I'm so certain I'd hate it that I'm including it anyway. Pretty sure it would rot my brain.

Now it's your turn. What bores you to tears? Makes you question the sanity of the human race? Makes you want to move to a different planet where they only have British TV (just me there, then? Oh.)? Link up and share!

Random Thursday: If I Found $100 I Would...

Lin, Meg and I are back with another edition of Random Thursday! I know, you haven't been able to think about anything else all week. You've been squirming in excitement. Well, let's get on with it then! This week's topic is:

So I remember when I was a kid, I found a two dollar bill on the ground. (Yes, this was back when we still had two dollar bills. I'm old.) I actually took it to the police station and handed it in. I know, right? Now, I'm pretty sure if I found a hundred, I'd pocket it. I mean, unless I saw who dropped it, in which case I'd give it back... but if it was just lying there? Yeah. Keepin' it. Not sure if there's some sort of sad moral in there about adulthood and bitterness or if I'm just really fucking broke. But either way, finders keepers. And then I'd go shopping.

1. 

I'd take my gal Ceci out for Starbucks. Peppermint mocha....mmmmmmm....

2.

I'd buy a couple of little treats... like a new lipstick and a good book.

3.

I'd use the rest for a nice dinner out with J. Or maybe a movie. But probably dinner, cos I hate cooking.

What would you do with a little extra spending cash? Link up and share!

Random Thursday: What's In My Purse...

 

Time for another awe-inspiring topic on Random Thursday with Lin, myself and the newly added Meg! This week's topic is one that will either intrigue or strike fear into the hearts of all you ladies out there:

 Okay. So first of, all I'm in that second category. The strike-fear-into-my-heart category. It's no wonder I have a bad back with all the crap I lug around on a daily basis. I carry one of those Matt & Nat hobo bags - the big one. Full. That oughta put it in perspective.

So because of this, I'm going to spare you all the boredom of hearing about errant receipts, random small change, the odd kitchen sink and occaional volvo, and just go with the highlights. The things I use all the time, that I would take if I was forced to actually, you know, clean out my purse, and the ones you might be even vaguely interested in. I'm also going to try to do this from memory to avoid being swallowed whole by said purse. So here goes.

1. Wallet

 Getting worn around the edges, stuffed with old receipts and cards for places I don't remember ever going, let along going recently, this thing weighs as much as your average brick. But hey, on the plus side if I ever forget it somewhere I notice within  30 seconds because of how light my bag feels. So there's that.

2. Phone, keys, iPod

 The boring but essential stuff.  My phone isn't in the picture because I was using it to take the picture.

3. E-reader

 I don't always have this with me, just when I'm in the middle of a juicy story. 

4. Hat & gloves

It's freeeeeeezing outside. Without them I can't feel my ears or fingers. I've given up on knowing if I even have a nose.

5. Hand sanitizer

I'm a total germaphobe. Who spends 2+ hours on public transit every day. This comes in handy. (Get it? HAND-y?)

6. Makeup bag

Probably the most organized part of my purse. I actually empty this out and keep only what I need in there.

7. Moisturizer

I have trouble with really dry skin, particularly in the winter, so I always need to have moisturizer with me.

8. About 20 tubes of lip balm, lip gloss and lipstick

I put them in there and then I forget they're there and then I add more because I think I don't have any. Next thing you know, there are more shades of lipstick in there than in my bathroom. I clear them out every once in awhile, but it doesn't take long for them to accumulate again.

9. Notebook and pen

You never know when inspiration will strike!

10. Gum and.... salt

Yeah, so I know it's a bit weird, but I LOVE salt. I eat it on every meal. So when I was at this funky general store-type place and discovered that the little case didn't have breath mints, but instead was chock full of flaked salt.... well, I figured when you find a product tailor-made to fit your complete weirdness, you get it. So I did.


That's it for my purse - what about you?

Random Thursday - Items I Often Hoard...

 
Welcome back to Random Thursday! This week is bitter/sweet - on the one hand Lin and I are bidding adieu to Sarah, who needs to foculs on real life for awhile (I know, I'm as confused by this concept as you are). We'll miss her as a host - but she promises to post RTs as often as she can!

Though she's utterly irreplacable, we've recruited a new addition to the RT hosts, who will be just as awesome in ways all her own. Meet Meg - you might have seen her blog before since she has been part of the RT family of weekly link-ups for awhile - but if you haven't yet, go check out her blog and welcome her to our crew! So without further delay, here's this week's RT topic!

This is another topic I could contribute a lot to... but I'm going to limit myself, given the ramblings of last week, to just a few! Here they are:

1. Books

I've loved them since I was a kid, when I used to save up my allowance to buy Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books. (What can I say, I've always loved mysteries). Now I am partial to essays, true crime, books about sex and, believe it or not, young adult series. 

2. Makeup

I LOVE makeup, as you may have noticed from my makeup blog. Which, if you knew me, would come as a surprise since in no other way am I a girly-girl. I don't have an extensive collection of purses, I don't know how to walk in heels and I'm almost always in jeans and a hoody. But something about it fascinates me and I love playing with it and creating new looks. I tend to buy whatever my current fave is in backups so I don't run out, hence the hoarding reference...and no, that isn't my train case above. I put it in because I wish mine was that organized, and because if you click on the picture it'll take you to a handy article about streamlining your makeup collection. Cos I can't help you with that.

3. Art Supplies

I'm not exactly an artist (I can't draw particularly well and have never had the patience to learn), but I do enjoy dabbling around with the odd collage or stencil. I've always loved craft and art supply stores and have bins of pencils, pens, paint, brushes, xacto blades, spray paint + caps, markers... you name it, I probably have it somewhere.

4. Yarn

I love knitting, though I don't do as much of it as you'd assume if you saw my huge yarn collection. I love the different colours and textures and creating something I can use on a daily basis. Usually a scarf, because it's rectangular and therefore easy to knit. But still...

5. Journals 

I've always been fascinated with journals and diaries. As a kid Anne Frank's diary was my favourite book, and I wasted reams and reams of paper scribbling out teenage angst. I still collect notebooks, though these days I blog more than I write. I'm particularly fond of Moleskines and have a fair few of them!

I'll stop there, though I could keep going - I'm like two years and a few more skeins of yarn away from being a serious hoarder! So to make me feel a little less odd, link up below and spill - what do you collect irrationally??

Holiday Swap Package!

Okay, so I'm woefully behind on this one - not only did I get my package in the post a bit late (thank god my swap partner was equally behind!), but now I've gotten behind on posting the pictures I took of the package when it arrived, miraculously, on Christmas eve. But, as they say, better late than never! My swap partner for this Christmas swap was, happily enough, Lin herself! And man, did she ever spoil me! Here are a bunch of pictures, because I wouldn't be able to do it justice:

See what I mean by spoiling me? Not only that, but she actually crocheted the scarf herself! A very merry Christmas, indeed

Random Thursday: Music I Never Get Tired Of

Lin, Sarah and I have a real treat in store for you this week:

Dunno if you've picked up on this yet, but I'm an audiophile. I don't think the world would be worth living in without music. At least, I wouldn't want to live in it. I like a wide range - however I'll freely admit I'm picky, and I'm a total snob. So you won't find any Gaga, Bieber or 50 Cent in this list. It's impossible for me not to get carried away when I start creating a playlist - which is basically what this is - so this is gonna get messy. Read on at your own risk if you wanna lose most of the rest of your day down a music rabbit hole starting with some of the jams I rock out to. You know, just a few.

1. Incubus - Drive

This is in my top 10 favourite songs of all time - and has been for YEARS. Somehow I never get sick of it, and it makes me happy every time I listen to it. I finally got to see Incubus (in a lineup with Linkin Park and MuteMath) and it was a pretty fantastic night. Cross that off the bucket list. I decided to share the MTV Unplugged version with you because I love it, and because you might not have heard it before.



2. Foo Fighters - Pretender

I love the Foo Fighters. I love their music, I love their energy, I love their band dynamic. I read This Is A Call last year, the book about Dave Grohl, and then I went to see them live. Man, seeing the Foos in concert is an experience second to none. Grohl's energy is enough to power an entire stadium of people for 3 (or more) hours, and the group's chemistry and enjoyment is contagious. There are so many FF songs I love - Everlong, Rope,  My Hero, Times Like These, Learn to Fly.... but if I absolutely had to pick one favourite, I'm pretty sure this would be it. Though you should definitely check out this video for These Days if you haven't already - so awesome.



3. NIN - Everyday is Exactly the Same

Chances are that if you've seen Wanted, scenes with James McAvoy will now be popping into your head. Well, lucky you. But even without that, this song is great to listen to when you're pissed off and stuck in transit to or from work. It'll help you not punch that annoying person who has stepped on your foot three times. I promise.



4. Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise

The song is good; the music video is better. See if you can spot all the cameos.


5. PUTS - San Francisco Knights

I discovered this one in the credits for one of my favourite graffiti movies. I rewound and replayed it three times and have been in love with these guys ever since. Crank it, have a dance. I dare ya.


6. Atmosphere - The Best Day

As you can tell, I'm not a hugely upbeat person a lot of the time. So I'm always on the lookout for anything that buoys my spirits. This song has been in regular Monday rotation since it came out (along with a lot of other songs by Atmosphere). If you're having a rough day, it'll cheer you up. Guaranteed. Also if you're arguing with your parents about whether hip hop is poetry, spend some time listening to other songs by Atmosphere. They'll give you great ammunition.


7. Kings of Leon - On Call

I'm quite the fan of Kings' music, but this song at the top of my list. Also check out Use Sombody, Sex on Fire and Taper Jean Girl.



8. David Bowie (feat. Trent Reznor) - I'm Afraid of Americans

As you'll know if you've followed my blog for awhile, I've been in love with  Bowie for about a quarter of a century. He was my first love. I'm also a NIN fan, so this collaboration blew me away. If you want to know some of my other Bowie faves, check out I'll Survive, Little Wonder, Hero, and, of course, Space Oddity (Ground Control to Major Tom).


9. The Tragically Hip - Grace, Too

Sadly, the Hip have fallen off a bit since the late '90s. But when I was in high school, they were epic. Some of my best concert memories are seeing them live at one of the festivals I went to as a teenager (I think it was at Another Roadside Attraction, but they sort of blend together in my memory). On stage, they're gods. And I have so many favourite Hip songs that I had a really hard time picking. Courage, New Orleans is Sinking, Little Bones, 38 Years Old, Scared, Wheat Kings.... the list goes on and on.  Plus, they're Canadian. Love.


10. Sneaker Pimps - 6 Underground (Live - Boxed Set)

I first came across this song on a compilation CD I picked up in the UK (the second Best Album in the World... Ever, I think). It was love at first listen. This song has been in roation for nearly 2 decades, and while it gets less frequent over time, it's never off the list. The Sneaks have a lot of great songs (Destroying Angel, Splinter, Low Five) - some with the original  vocalist, Kelli Ali, and a lot once Chris Corner took over. So much talent. Haunting melodies. Great for when you're feeling whimsical or want a sing-along.


And the Kelli Ali original version:


11. Grieves - Lightspeed

Grieves opened for my fave hip hop crew, Atmosphere, at a show in Vancouver awhile back and I discovered that not all new hip hop is depressingly horrible. I was lucky enough to catch Grieves again at the Biltmore a few months later - seriously, best deal ever. $13 bucks for one of the funnest shows I've been to in years. Bloody Poetry, Sunny Side of Hell and On the Rocks are also excellent.



12. Chase & Status (feat. Plan B) - End Credits

I think I first discovered this one in one of my favourite British TV shows, Misfits. Pieces is also good, another collaboration between C&S and Plan B. Also check out Plan B's album The Defamation of Strickland Banks (best track: Prayin') and Chase & Status songs Embrace, Blind Faith and Flashing Lights.





13. Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle

I don't know what it is about this song, but it just makes me pick up my feet and forget my worries a bit every time I hear it. It's a bit more hipster than I'm usually into, but give it a go.




14. Asteroids Glaxy Tour - Golden Age

Better known as the Heineken song. Mmmm....Heineken.....



So I figure that's a playlist about the length of your average CD...probably enough to be going on with. If you want more, check out my public YouTube Music playlist here - It's a new one and I'll keep adding to it. Now I wanna know: what songs get you going on a Monday morning? Help you not kill those annoying fuckers at work? Pick you up when you're feeling down? Link up!