Oh you silly silly "superheroes"....

Avengers: 2 Age of Ultron press tour is making all sorts of news, and not in a good way. If you've just tuned in, Robert Downey Jr. is still a jerk and Chris Evans and Jeremy Renner are currently vying (hard) for his title. Robert Downey Jr made headlines this past week for storming out of an interview after being confronted with his drug-addled past, hot on the heels of this muddy affair Chris Evans and Jeremy Renner made headlines by calling Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow a "slut" and a "whore" and agreeing when the interviewer (erroneously) declared that Natasha Romanova would always be a sidekick and that no Avengers fan had any interest in seeing her spinoff into her own movie or series. As if that weren't enough Robert Downey Jr scored the cast a trifecta (in the worst way) when he inferred that it was impressive that Birdman Director and Oscar winner Alejandro Inarritu could manage (in his bilingual state) to string together the words "cultural genocide" in response to a question regarding Inarritu's (well-informed and intelligent) opinion on superhero movies. If in the next week any of the cast happens to have errant words to absently hurl at the LGBQT community than they will have successfully covered all the isms with homophobia as the brass ring. Truly a great feat.

As a comic book fan this disappoints me verily so I thought to take a step back a few years (try a few decades) and create a playlist that is reminiscent of a time when social media didn't exist and youtube didn't unveil the sad, stupid people that some unfortunate celebrities turn out to be. It is certainly in my opinion its own little Shakespearean tragedy that people in such a beautiful situation can turn out so entitled and solipsistic but, it is what it is, and the 90s (and early 2000s) were what they were which frankly was....better (at least musically and culturally) so here we are and here's your playlist and all I can say is if the sexism unveiled from Captain America and Hawkeye...wait who?,(I know, he's irrelevant to me too) bothers you too, there's always tumblr all the feminists and good human beings hang out there, (and they make gifs about it!) so with that I bid you a good great week and do enjoy your trip down memory lane! Enjoy the music and the (lack of) mayhem.

Later kittens!

Blogus Interuptus!

Sorry guys, this week's blog has been pre-empted by school but will be back NEXT WEEK!! In full swing! Have a great humpday y'all! HAPPY EARTH DAY!!! Be excellent to each other!

Spring is COMING!!!!!! (yeah GoT, take that!)

Sooooo like....beach bods or what? Technically it wouldn't be beach bods here in the old T-dot since we don't have a beach we can effectively swim at unless we travel on up to Wasaga or Picton, but hey there's always vacation and pools. So I have put together a little Gymmie Jam playlist to get you sweatin' to the oldies (aside: remember that CD? they used to sell it late at night after all the good shows had gone of the air, I think it was Richard Simmons, ah the golden age?) just kidding, they're not oldies, just a lot of cool vibey----> dubstep-y, rock, aggressive----> calm vibey stuff to get you warmed up, in the zone and cooled down again. Your intrepid Gymmie Jam Playlist :)

What's that? Oh you're having trouble getting in the spirit you say? No problem, I've already written a movie prescription for you and it is thusly: 

Stick It this movie I actually prefer to Bring it On, not that it's a competition but it is from the same writer. This movie SLAYS. It it will sure get you off your butt quick quick.

Fast Girls this movie is sort of a Bend it Like Beckham on the track and it's quite wonderful. There's a great scene where the girls are receiving unwanted attention from a bunch of brutes and they deal with them appropriately then take off. You worry about them briefly until you realize that they.are.track.stars. and with good reason. The dudes didn't have a chance. (you can find this movie on youtube)

Blue Crush oh this movie is fantastic and it features Kate Bosworth, in the best shape of her entire life and my #FastFam homegirl Michelle Rodriguez surfing like their lives depend on it. Look out for newcomer and Hawaiian native Sanoe Lake as the 3rd amigo in the girl power trio (and she also has a song in the film) This movie made me obsessed with muscles and going to Hawaii and I'm proud to say that I've now attained both goals.

T2 oh c'mon! Linda Hamilton. Need I say more? It's also worth noting that James Cameron, while known worldwide for his douchebaggery couldn't write a weak female character if he tried (and thank god for that) the dude is a hardcore feminist (on film at least) so you can pretty much add any movie he has directed to this list and you're bound to see a woman kicking ass.

(Bonus trivia) at the time Terminator 2 came it it was most certainly a leader in terms of Industrial Light and Magic, the ever mutating T-1000 was something entirely new to the industry and very exciting. Anyway if you want motivation for the gym, just watch Linda Hamilton in that film.

Step Up 3 this is my favourite of all the Step Up films (although 4 is a favourite as well) if you want body-moving motivation then here it is baby! (soundtrack is sick too)

So there's some films to get you started, feel free to post your favourite fit motivational films or music and get to steppin' baby! Spring is finally COMING and we've damnwell earned it!

P.S If the movies and playlist don't do it for ya then follow Women's Health Mag or Men's Health Mag on twitter. They'll whip ya into shape for sure!

Peace Out Kittens!

Dance, nothing left for you to do but dance.....

Girls, Guys, it's time to dance. I know what you're thinking? Why the crap would I want to do that? Well, sometimes when life gives you a crapload of lemons you have to throw them under your feet and stomp on them with music and gusto and that my friends, is dancing. C'mon, you have to admit that when you see somebody shake it you get a little jumpy in your jeans. Pop it! Lock it! Don't worry about how you look, you can take a class or you can dance in your bedroom, hell you can have your friends over for a dance party, it's a journey folks, not a destination. Find a milonga in your area, or a dance class at the YMCA or take advantage of the cheap 3 introductory lessons at Arthur Murray, I guarantee you fun! Whether you're taking a tango class or a hip-hop class or heck even jazzercise just do it 'cause there's nothing like getting your body moving, moving and grooving baby!

C'mon y'all FUN (we're a little zombie obsessed here in the T-dot (d'you know they filmed ALL the Resident Evil movies here?) okay a lot zombie obsessed) remember fun? No? Well, s*&$!!!! We better get you reacquainted, start with Hairspray and work your way to the dance routine. Seriously, wherever you live in whatever country or province, or region or city, look up an opportunity to dance and take it! Do it for yourself man, you could do it for the children but I think you need more help than them right now. DO YOU, Y'ALL (didn't mean to yell I just really want you to shake it).

Well, as always, much much much love, sorry for the late post I've been in mourning and simultaneously icky with the flu), enjoy your week! Oh and BTW if you haven't gone to see Furious 7 go this week, do it #ForPaul. Here's a handy dandy Fast and Furious timeline for those who haven't seen all of the films. Keep in mind if you want the whole mythology there are actually 9 films and their chronological watching order is thusly:

1.The Fast and The Furious
2. 2 Fast 2 Furious
3. Better Luck Tomorrow (a film revolving around the character of Han Seoul-Oh directed by Justin Lin)
4. Los Bandoleros  ( a short film the fills in the gaps on Dom and Letty after the events of The Fast and the Furious)
5. Fast and Furious
6.Fast Five
7. Fast Six
8. Tokyo Drift
9. Furious 7


Just as (another) aside, this week's dancing playlist  is one of the longest playlists (I think the longest) that I've ever given you guys, because I want you to dance until you DROP!!! It has a warm-up and a cool-down so no excuses! It also has some great lyrical content, I've included some highlights below if you're into that, if not then just dance you bastard (just kidding you're not a bastard but you really should dance anyway):

"You keep dipping in until the well runs dry, I hope you don't get thirsty later" -Before You Hit The Ground

"You've got your gun and your bulletproof pride, you never run but you sure know how to hide."       -Bulletproof Pride

"Yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead, yesterday is a promise that you've broken."
-This is Your Life

"This is a battle and it's your final last call, it was a trial you made a mistake, we know."
-Battle

"And I know we'll stand together when the world falls down. And I know that our forever's gonna start right now."
-This Girl

"Remember, remember never forget, all of your life has all been a test. You will find the gate that's open, even though your spirit's broken." -Isaac

"Shake me out of my misery, make me get out and wiggle it."
-Clap Your Hands

"Words can be like knives, they can cut you open."
-Bloodstream

"The generous truly know what will be given. If they don't stop, you know. The gates of heaven are always open and there's this God in the sky and the angels, how they sit, you know, in front of the light. And that's what it's about."
-Isaac


With love people
xo

04.03.15 For the #FastFam

This one's for my Fast and Furious Family.


Well, whether we're ready or not this Friday our movie comes out for the last time with our beloved Brian O'Conner. Furious 7 focuses on the vengeance of Owen Shaw's brother Ian (played by the exciting Jason Statham) with the startling (yet expected) murder of Han Seoul-Oh. Who appeared in four Fast and Furious films and a previous Justin Lin film entitled Better Luck Tomorrow. A fan favourite, he moved to Tokyo after the death of his beloved (and our beloved) Gisele Yashar.

I was (of course) very, very excited for this film after Fast 6. So beyond impressed in a franchise that managed to take its worst film (Tokyo Drift) and turn it into the most important and pivotal one of the series some six years later.  Turning Tokyo Drift effectively into the 6th movie of the franchise instead of the third and tying in moments that previously seemed insignificant, like a cameo from Vin Diesel and the erratic behaviour of previously zen-like Han into key moments in the franchise. The Fast series has always gone above and beyond to be much better than it needed to be but it just seemed more and more to be ageing like a fine wine, there really was every reason to believe we'd be seeing more of the #FastFam for years to come.....

Then the worst happened, I remember I used to watch Paul Walker/Tyrese interviews and #FastFam spoofs late at night when I was having a bad day or feeling particularly down and they would always cheer me up these people are so good at being ridiculous and their chemistry is just ludicrous and amazing! (see what I did there). The skits and the familial bond just got better and better and behind the scenes we learned that Tyrese's Roman definitely got his big mouth from his portrayer always stirring ish in the most bizarre and amusing ways.

When Paul Walker died, all that positivity and great energy changed for me, that safe and happy place I would go to when things were crappy disappeared, All the hope I had in a franchise that represented me and so many other faces and races that were under-represented or misrepresented by action films and by films in general, seemed to die suddenly. The heart of the franchise was gone. But we still have to honour him, and we have to honour, respect and protect what he created and valued on-screen and off, because when you care about someone that's the best way to make their memory live on and the only way to honour their legacy.

I don't have a f*cking clue how to answer what to do when someone you care about is gone for good and I'm still trying to figure it out, 2013/2014 were not particularly good years for me as I lost a lot of people I cared about in what almost seemed like a fire sale.
All I can hope is that the answer to how to respond (when you lose someone you care about and admire like Paul Walker or Jack Layton) is somewhere in this  incredible speech  that Tyrese gave. Somehow something that Paul and Jack understood about the planet that other people didn't or don't maybe made God or the universe call them home.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. So here is your Fast and Furious reupped playlist much love (as always) and I wish the best of coming weeks to you. Please donate, support, (purchase cute shirts and caps) from ROWW (Reach Out Worldwide you can learn more about the charity here.  And (just started my sentence like I shouldn't) keep your calendar clear this Friday April 3rd for our date with Fast 7! One last ride y'all, let's make it sweet.

xo

Ouch....Pretty Hurts. The Beauty Myth

Well, I was going to do a playlist on something else entirely but I got hit with a case of the sads so here it is, your The Beauty Myth (aka love yourself or die trying) Playlist.  Sooo many things to say about this but I won't bore you with the details. All the women out there know that never-mind pimps, it's hard out there for a bitch (thank you Lily Allen).

There are soooo many things we're supposed to be and not be all at once.
Example: We're supposed to be pretty but not too pretty.
 We're not supposed to be dumb but we can't be too smart,
Wwe're supposed to be sexy but we can't be sluts,
We're supposed to be demure be we can't be a tease.
We're supposed to be independent but we can't be ambitious,
We're supposed to be capable but we can't be confident.
We're supposed to be wild but we shouldn't be free.
 It's a lot, we're a lot and sometimes when you take it all in (like you shouldn't) then you take a look in the mirror it makes you want to hurl. We've all lived in those moments, but they are (horrid as they are) moments, and now at least you have some music to shake your fine, smart, literate, brilliant ass out of it. Because god knows no one wants to be trapped in a mirror with a bitchy, pitchy, haterade-drinking, magazine trolling, celebrity comparing version of yourself.  Tell that bitch to eff off, put on these tunes and dance your way out of it. Seriously, (it helps if you clap too). Please feel freeeeeeee to comment below on what you like to watch, listen to, read or do when the mirror starts to taunt you. Share and share and share alike! Girl Power and all that.

Love, Lemons and Lots of Luck (no lemons I swear. I just like alliteration, I could say Love and Liquor but some people don't drink) Have a fabulous week kittens!


(Exceedingly long) Post Script:

Tips to break out of your me-eating mood:
This fabulous to-do list to break the bads

Notable reads: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf

Notable Films: Ever After (Starring Drew Barrymore)
GI Jane (Starring Demi Moore)
Akeelah and the Bee (Starring Keke Palmer)

If This Doesn't Work:
Watch Hairspray!! Then Watch Hairspray again!!! Marathon that ish until you want to marry yourself! NO EXCUSES I've even linked the movie for you. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???!!

East Coast Patty's meets overseas Cakes.

Okay that title made no sense. Whatever.
 It's time for another blog and playlist and this week features the loverly Celtic/East Coast influence because the music is beautiful even though y'all may be too drunk off your faces (this week) to listen to it.

I may well have become aware of this incredible music around the height of The Cranberries and Ashley MacIsaac's popularity, Natalie MacMaster was creeping in around that time too. Ah the bagpipes! Prominent in my life since an early age, born in a tiny Canadian/Scottish town which held a bagpipe parade every Saturday through the summer, hence stuff like that there just gets to me.
 I strongly recommend lending a Saturday to a Chieftains or Natalie MacMaster record and just knitting a sweater (I don't know how to do that) or painting a picture ( I don't know how to do that either) or baking some cookies (that I can do) or something, it's real 'heart of life' kind of music and it's sure to pick you up if and when you are feeling down.

Here in Canada the East Coast (Newfoundland, PEI, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) has a vibrant and exciting music scene which is rather entwined in their culture, their food and the overall experience. Check out The Starving Artist to read recipes and anecdotes from a straight-up Newfoundlander musician now residing in the big city and while you're testing out one of his many recipes (he gives very detailed instructions, not to worry) you can throw on my Celtic/East Coast playlist and have a few shots of wheatgrass to cure that epic hangover.


**Incidentally the song is called *Kilkelly (Ireland) not Kilkenny. Kilkenny is a beer,. (I don't even drink beer what is going on?!!??!!) Whatever the case, enjoy your week, I wish you many four leaf clovers and a leprechaun that doesn't want to kill you.

Happy St. Paddy's Day All!