Friday, December 19, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A wee something.
It's been a busy yet not-so-busy time. There is no way to describe it without sounding incredibly boring, and so I shall leave you with this, my TV production project. Enjoy!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
It's been awhile...
Yes, I admit, I've been neglecting this thing. "TiLT"s are fun, but since those are the only things that I've been posting, to post at all seemed rather pointless. In short, I'm kind of burnt out.
BUT ANYWAY.
Last year while I was on study abroad at UC Santa Barbara I co-founded a magazine. It was based around the small community - about a mile squared of land that adjoins the UCSB campus - made up mostly of students. It's called Isla Vista. If you have heard anything about UCSB you are bound to know that it has a reputation as a party school. Well, that much is true. However an organisation within the university, called IV Live/IV Arts works hard to keep the community feel alive and provide student events and entertainment. This is probably the thing I loved most about my time at UCSB. The staff are so amazing and creative and know exactly how to get students interested, alive and fighting for their cause.
The idea for the magazine began with Holly Unruh, who was appalled when she found a publication called "IV Lifestyle" - a one-off glossy propagating drink and surf culture (for the most part). The only thing that sticks in my mind was a how-to on beer pong. Holly decided it was high time that UCSB students spoke out about how great student life in IV can be, and how much that it has to offer.
Our first issue was founded by a team of 12 of us students, with the help of local journalist DJ Palladino, who also runs a film programme at the Magic Lantern Theatre in IV, and Ellen Anderson, another IV Live member. And I must say that their guidance, enthusiasm and support was invaluable to us. They are the best mentors I've ever had - I really can't express how much they pushed us without saying much at all. After a few meetings we defined ourselves as an arts & culture magazine and named it Word Magazine.
The first issue of Word was quite different than the publication that it has become. So many students have become involved, and as far as I can tell it has become rather popular with the students during its short time in print. So many students have joined in and it's growing and gathering more dynamism as it whizzes off like a bullet train into the future.
I'm so proud of our wee publication, and although I was sketchy about becoming involved it was definitely the best decision I made while on study abroad. Looking at it now, I miss having this project under my wing and have realised that writing for Word was something that I am truly passionate about. As much as I love to write wee tid-bits for the university newspaper here at home, I realise now how much energy Word has in its magazine (as in artillery, geddit?!) and how much momentum it has built since its first conception.
This was all a very long-winded way of my saying that I am really proud of what we've accomplished in 9 short months, and I'm really excited to pass the torch on to new UCSB students and allow them to find a new direction.
And, of course, to say that if you're interested, look here, and you can find the latest edition here! (I'm on printed page 1 and 15!)
BUT ANYWAY.
Last year while I was on study abroad at UC Santa Barbara I co-founded a magazine. It was based around the small community - about a mile squared of land that adjoins the UCSB campus - made up mostly of students. It's called Isla Vista. If you have heard anything about UCSB you are bound to know that it has a reputation as a party school. Well, that much is true. However an organisation within the university, called IV Live/IV Arts works hard to keep the community feel alive and provide student events and entertainment. This is probably the thing I loved most about my time at UCSB. The staff are so amazing and creative and know exactly how to get students interested, alive and fighting for their cause.
The idea for the magazine began with Holly Unruh, who was appalled when she found a publication called "IV Lifestyle" - a one-off glossy propagating drink and surf culture (for the most part). The only thing that sticks in my mind was a how-to on beer pong. Holly decided it was high time that UCSB students spoke out about how great student life in IV can be, and how much that it has to offer.
Our first issue was founded by a team of 12 of us students, with the help of local journalist DJ Palladino, who also runs a film programme at the Magic Lantern Theatre in IV, and Ellen Anderson, another IV Live member. And I must say that their guidance, enthusiasm and support was invaluable to us. They are the best mentors I've ever had - I really can't express how much they pushed us without saying much at all. After a few meetings we defined ourselves as an arts & culture magazine and named it Word Magazine.
The first issue of Word was quite different than the publication that it has become. So many students have become involved, and as far as I can tell it has become rather popular with the students during its short time in print. So many students have joined in and it's growing and gathering more dynamism as it whizzes off like a bullet train into the future.
I'm so proud of our wee publication, and although I was sketchy about becoming involved it was definitely the best decision I made while on study abroad. Looking at it now, I miss having this project under my wing and have realised that writing for Word was something that I am truly passionate about. As much as I love to write wee tid-bits for the university newspaper here at home, I realise now how much energy Word has in its magazine (as in artillery, geddit?!) and how much momentum it has built since its first conception.
This was all a very long-winded way of my saying that I am really proud of what we've accomplished in 9 short months, and I'm really excited to pass the torch on to new UCSB students and allow them to find a new direction.
And, of course, to say that if you're interested, look here, and you can find the latest edition here! (I'm on printed page 1 and 15!)
Friday, October 24, 2008
Things I Love Thursday(ish)
It's a little late, but better late than never, right? I've caught my eighth wind today (or thereabouts!) and all of the stress and worry of these past couple of weeks has lifted. It feels fandabby.
This week I have been loving:
+ Teamwork — I was worried about the group-work aspect of this year, but have been lucky and my group has a really good dynamic. It's been time consuming and a completely different kind of work than I'm used to, but I've enjoyed it and I'm learning a lot about my strengths. We finished the final cut of our first project tonight and there was much rejoicing.
+ Not sabotaging the film project — I had some pretty bad luck with my production classes last year, but everything went pretty well on the whole. But I still have the tape in my possession so perhaps I shouldn't speak so soon . . .
+ My new hair colour — I dyed my hair dark brown earlier this week and it went a very black shade of black. Very goth. It was a bit of a shock to the system but now it has toned down a bit and I really love it.
+ Reading reading reading— I've updated my 50 Books Challenge post. By page two of The Bell Jar I was kicking myself for not having read it sooner. Paper Towns was absolutely fantastic - stop making me have to recommend John Green and get on it already! Looking for Alaska remains my favourite, but I'll definitely be re-reading Paper Towns sometime soon. Currently reading The Alchemist, which many have professed to be life-altering. We shall see.
+ Mid-semester! — This week is mid-semester, which presents itself in the form of seeing the boy for a whole entire week! Also going home, chilling out, drinking lots of tea, reading, sleeping, writing & never having to do anything alone. I can't wait!
+ Songs of the Week!
Julia Nunes' new album - I Wrote These, especially First Impressions
Feist - The Park
Belle & Sebastian - For the Price of a Cup of Tea
The Decemberists - Days of Elaine
Honourable Mentions
Quoting Rejected every quiet moment on the golf course while shooting; missing lectures which magically turned out to be cancelled; credit notes; chalet party with old halls-mates & hilarious exchange students & fellow film nerds, amazing crepes & somehow saying the right thing at the right time whenever I entered a room; seeing Star Wars for the first time (I know).
Have a lovely week! x
This week I have been loving:
+ Teamwork — I was worried about the group-work aspect of this year, but have been lucky and my group has a really good dynamic. It's been time consuming and a completely different kind of work than I'm used to, but I've enjoyed it and I'm learning a lot about my strengths. We finished the final cut of our first project tonight and there was much rejoicing.
+ Not sabotaging the film project — I had some pretty bad luck with my production classes last year, but everything went pretty well on the whole. But I still have the tape in my possession so perhaps I shouldn't speak so soon . . .
+ My new hair colour — I dyed my hair dark brown earlier this week and it went a very black shade of black. Very goth. It was a bit of a shock to the system but now it has toned down a bit and I really love it.
+ Reading reading reading— I've updated my 50 Books Challenge post. By page two of The Bell Jar I was kicking myself for not having read it sooner. Paper Towns was absolutely fantastic - stop making me have to recommend John Green and get on it already! Looking for Alaska remains my favourite, but I'll definitely be re-reading Paper Towns sometime soon. Currently reading The Alchemist, which many have professed to be life-altering. We shall see.
+ Mid-semester! — This week is mid-semester, which presents itself in the form of seeing the boy for a whole entire week! Also going home, chilling out, drinking lots of tea, reading, sleeping, writing & never having to do anything alone. I can't wait!
+ Songs of the Week!
Julia Nunes' new album - I Wrote These, especially First Impressions
Feist - The Park
Belle & Sebastian - For the Price of a Cup of Tea
The Decemberists - Days of Elaine
Honourable Mentions
Quoting Rejected every quiet moment on the golf course while shooting; missing lectures which magically turned out to be cancelled; credit notes; chalet party with old halls-mates & hilarious exchange students & fellow film nerds, amazing crepes & somehow saying the right thing at the right time whenever I entered a room; seeing Star Wars for the first time (I know).
Have a lovely week! x
Friday, October 10, 2008
YouTube Videos of the Week
It's been a good few weeks for YouTubing! As most of the things that have been tickling me have much to do with the US Presidential Election, I'll spare you. Well, except for one...
Obama Llama Song! : If you're unfamiliar with the vlogbrothers... what are you doing here?! Get on it already! They are by far and away my favourite people to watch on YouTube, and this is just another example of (little brother) Hank's brilliance. If you've never seen the Llama Song, I suggest you watch it first. For an explanation, you can watch Hank's original video featuring the Obama Llama Song.
I accept no responsibility for the harm and/or irritation it may cause yourself and others.
Rejected: Go on, you can say it.
Nicola, where the eff have you been?!
I know, I know. This may be old news but for some reason I only just discovered the wonder that is Rejected. Don Hertzfeldt is pretty fantastic (find me someone who has attended UCSB and isn't!) It must be several years since I was first acquainted with his earlier Ahh, L'Amour, and in fact had been trying to hunt it down for quite some time. Rejected is random humour at its finest and appeals most to the bizzarest of senses of humour. It may look simple from the outset, but keep it running!
Take On Me: Literal Video Version: Have you ever wished that a music video was in some way narratologically aligned with the song it accompanies? All your dreams have come true! This had me buckling. Extra points if you love A-Ha and/or the song in question! Don't you miss the 80s?
Obama Llama Song! : If you're unfamiliar with the vlogbrothers... what are you doing here?! Get on it already! They are by far and away my favourite people to watch on YouTube, and this is just another example of (little brother) Hank's brilliance. If you've never seen the Llama Song, I suggest you watch it first. For an explanation, you can watch Hank's original video featuring the Obama Llama Song.
I accept no responsibility for the harm and/or irritation it may cause yourself and others.
Rejected: Go on, you can say it.
Nicola, where the eff have you been?!
I know, I know. This may be old news but for some reason I only just discovered the wonder that is Rejected. Don Hertzfeldt is pretty fantastic (find me someone who has attended UCSB and isn't!) It must be several years since I was first acquainted with his earlier Ahh, L'Amour, and in fact had been trying to hunt it down for quite some time. Rejected is random humour at its finest and appeals most to the bizzarest of senses of humour. It may look simple from the outset, but keep it running!
Take On Me: Literal Video Version: Have you ever wished that a music video was in some way narratologically aligned with the song it accompanies? All your dreams have come true! This had me buckling. Extra points if you love A-Ha and/or the song in question! Don't you miss the 80s?
Friday, October 3, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
TiLT
It's Thursday already?! This week has flown by, and I've been busy for a change!
+ Moving in — As much as packing and moving is a pain, I'm becoming pro at it. This time I managed not to bring many unnecessary items, but did forget a few necessities/desirables. Oh well, can't be perfect!
+ New flatmates & old friends — This year I have a full new set of flatmates, and so far it's been great. I knew two of them and hadn't met the other two, so it's good to have some new people around! It looks like I'll get to see more of my other uni friends, too, which is awesome. I missed them, and there's (almost!) always someone available for a chat.
+ New shoes! — Okay so I haven't yet worn them, but I'm excited to do so. I'm never excited about shoes. Haha.
+ Getting my life into gear — It's daunting, but it has to be done! This semester is going to be a lot of hard work, which I'm not entirely convinced that I'm prepared for, but the sooner I get it over with and get my degree in hand, the better! Ha.
Embracing the student life — Once again! I hadn't been out to a club for over a year before Saturday, and I've been out 4 times since. I missed dressing up, drinking and dancing. Got another one planned for Saturday, can't wait! The cheesy music is on its way back into my iTunes.
Until next week!
+ Moving in — As much as packing and moving is a pain, I'm becoming pro at it. This time I managed not to bring many unnecessary items, but did forget a few necessities/desirables. Oh well, can't be perfect!
+ New flatmates & old friends — This year I have a full new set of flatmates, and so far it's been great. I knew two of them and hadn't met the other two, so it's good to have some new people around! It looks like I'll get to see more of my other uni friends, too, which is awesome. I missed them, and there's (almost!) always someone available for a chat.
+ New shoes! — Okay so I haven't yet worn them, but I'm excited to do so. I'm never excited about shoes. Haha.
+ Getting my life into gear — It's daunting, but it has to be done! This semester is going to be a lot of hard work, which I'm not entirely convinced that I'm prepared for, but the sooner I get it over with and get my degree in hand, the better! Ha.
Embracing the student life — Once again! I hadn't been out to a club for over a year before Saturday, and I've been out 4 times since. I missed dressing up, drinking and dancing. Got another one planned for Saturday, can't wait! The cheesy music is on its way back into my iTunes.
Until next week!
Monday, September 8, 2008
50 Book Challenge
Photograph by Lightning Seed.
I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, and I never made reading enough of a habit to believe that I could read 50 books in one year. However, I figured it was time for a challenge. Rather than January 1st, my personal book club began on a fateful day in May, when an unexpected book-binge transformed me into an all-out bookworm. (Well, almost!)
If you want to recommend a book, please go ahead, I'm very open to suggestions! My preferences include Murakami, semi-autobiographical fiction/memoir/humour, more mature Young Adult lit, and anything a little bit unusual, yet engrossing.
1. *The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - Jean-Dominique Bauby
(17/5)
2. 15 Little Blue Envelopes - Maureen Johnson
(20/5)
3. Candy Girl - Diablo Cody
(21/5 - 22/5)
4. *Looking For Alaska - John Green
(22/5 - 26/5)
5. 24 Stories - Haruki Murakami
(10/5 - ?)
6. Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
(26/5 - 30/5)
7. An Abundance of Katherines - John Green
(5/6 - 12/6)
8. A Place Called Here - Cecelia Ahern
(17/6 - 23/6)
9. *After Dark - Haruki Murakami
(24/6)
10. This Lullaby - Sarah Dessin
(14/6 - 28/6)
11. Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea - Chelsea Handler
(9/7 - 11/7)
12. Sex & the City - Candace Bushnell
(
13. My Horizontal Life - Chelsea Handler
(16/7 - 19/7)
14. *Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safran Foer
(1/8 - 3/8)
15. Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World - Haruki Murakami
(30/7 - ...)
16. *Sputnik Sweetheart - Haruki Murakami
(4/8 - 7/8)
17. *Everything is Illuminated - Jonathan Safran Foer
(8/8 - 13/8)
18. The Film Club - David Gilmour
(26/8 - 29/8)
19. South of the Border, West of the Sun - Haruki Murakami
(31/8 - 3/9)
20. *The History Boys - Alan Bennett
(8/9)
21. Slam - Nick Hornby
(8/9 - 9/9)
22. *Dance Dance Dance - Haruki Murakami
(9/9 - 23/9)
23. Choke - Chuck Palahniuk
(2/10 - 9/10)
24. Veronika Decides to Die - Paulo Coelho
(10/10 - 18/10)
25. * Paper Towns - John Green
(19/10 - 23/10)
26. * The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
(19/10 - 23/10)
27. The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
(23/10 - 27/10)
28. Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
(27/10 - 29/10)
29. The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ - Sue Townsend
(29/10-30/10)
30. * On The Road - Jack Kerouac
(30/10 - ...)
31. Fight Club - Chuck Palaniuk
32. I Am the Messenger - Murkus Zusak
33. Let it Snow - John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle
34. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
35. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist - David Levithan & Rachel Cohn
36. Bird by Bird - Ann Lamott
37. Animal Farm - George Orwell
38. Shakespeare - Bill Bryson
To-Read List:
The General in His Labyrinth - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
The Book Thief - Marcus Zuzack
The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Milan Kundera
* - I recommend this book.
I've read it - this is mostly so that the unfinished ones will look naked and guilt me into finishing them!
If you read, what books have you enjoyed recently? What books are your favourites? What do you recommend?
What have you done to challenge yourself this year?
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Sunday YouTube Videos of the Week
Summer is coming to an end, and that can mean, well, any number of things. For me, however, it marks that grey area sandwiched between the end of the music festivals and... Okay, I concede. One will go to great lengths in continuing one's denial that the university season is right around the corner! This is my way of dealing with it.
In celebration of everything YouTube in this final holiday week, I bring you the following:
Julia Nunes - That Green Gentleman: This bright young thing is my absolute favourite YouTube musician. This is her latest video. To quote the girl herself, "Panic at the Disco... can you believe it?". What's more, it features melodica. I just can't get enough. Also check out Julia's YouTube Channel, and MySpace. Click the links to buy her album!
Lauren O'Connell - Okkervil River: LaurenOC12, as she is known on YouTube, has appeared in one or two of Julia Nunes' videos, and is an excellent musician herself. This cover of Okkervil River by Westfall is a dramatic escape from the self-written acoustic numbers recorded in her basement. The style complements her unique, haunting voice fantastically.
Gina Rae - I Thought They Were Your Legs: A new favourite YouTube musician of mine. What can I say? I'm hooked! I found this lovely girl through my subscription to Seeso's favourites. Think Regina Spektor meets, well, Gina Rae! She's posted a few more videos since, and there is nothing else to say but this: she is wonderful. Actually, I lied, there's one other thing. Watch her!
12 Astrology Songs: I found this through Gala Darling's Twitter feed a few days ago, and it's absolutely hilarious. It depicts myself and my fellow Piesceans as whimsical, wishful, mood-swinging, insecure, indecisive, daydreamers, gentle, & kind. Well I guess that about sums it up!
Sarah Silverman - Jews and Blacks: Sarah Silverman on The Tonight Show, discussing with Jay Leno the similarities she's found between old Jewish people and young black people. It's not music, but it's worth a watch.
Enjoy!
In celebration of everything YouTube in this final holiday week, I bring you the following:
Julia Nunes - That Green Gentleman: This bright young thing is my absolute favourite YouTube musician. This is her latest video. To quote the girl herself, "Panic at the Disco... can you believe it?". What's more, it features melodica. I just can't get enough. Also check out Julia's YouTube Channel, and MySpace. Click the links to buy her album!
Lauren O'Connell - Okkervil River: LaurenOC12, as she is known on YouTube, has appeared in one or two of Julia Nunes' videos, and is an excellent musician herself. This cover of Okkervil River by Westfall is a dramatic escape from the self-written acoustic numbers recorded in her basement. The style complements her unique, haunting voice fantastically.
Gina Rae - I Thought They Were Your Legs: A new favourite YouTube musician of mine. What can I say? I'm hooked! I found this lovely girl through my subscription to Seeso's favourites. Think Regina Spektor meets, well, Gina Rae! She's posted a few more videos since, and there is nothing else to say but this: she is wonderful. Actually, I lied, there's one other thing. Watch her!
12 Astrology Songs: I found this through Gala Darling's Twitter feed a few days ago, and it's absolutely hilarious. It depicts myself and my fellow Piesceans as whimsical, wishful, mood-swinging, insecure, indecisive, daydreamers, gentle, & kind. Well I guess that about sums it up!
Sarah Silverman - Jews and Blacks: Sarah Silverman on The Tonight Show, discussing with Jay Leno the similarities she's found between old Jewish people and young black people. It's not music, but it's worth a watch.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
E-Voyeurism: A User's Guide
Many confuse the fine art of internet voyeurism for stalking. And there is a fine line to negotiate: at what point does e-voyeurism become e-stalking? It's simple: when the subject of your interest becomes inextricably linked with an individual. The beauty of material e-voyeurism is much like that of visiting an art gallery; given similar tools & rules of creation, what have the artists created?
Thus commences the user's guide to e-voyeurism.
+ Blogs, RSS and YouTube Subscriptions
RSS feeds and YouTube subscriptions are my anti-drugs. Bookmarks can be cumbersome and it is easy to lose interest in fumbling through lists of "favourite" websites. In this sense, RSS feeds, such as Google Reader (or, if you're unsure which suits you, read this), are fantastic as they keep everything together & accessible, track your updates, & save entries as read and unread.
By perusing updates in this manner you will quickly find yourself being linked to myriad new websites and blogs. You can easily discover new interests through recommendations, particularly through weekly updates such as Flickr Faves, Link Loves & Things I Love Thursdays by various bloggers.
Try out Google Reader's "Shared Items" feature to find out exactly what I'm talking about!
+ StumbleUpon
StumbleUpon is simply mind-boggling. It is by far the best way to navigate yourself around the internet, as you can quite literally "stumble upon" absolutely anything. It's totally addictive and takes your interests & favourite finds into account in order to direct you towards websites that you will undoubtedly love and perhaps never would have found otherwise. Not only that, there is a certain friend-of-a-friend element about it: what you stumble upon may not be your cup of tea, but an external link from that website may turn out to be the best thing you've ever witnessed online.
Ever had to pester your friends to watch that online video that you found hilarious? Much like blog websites and Flickr, the friend system allows you to connect with peers and share your finds with them. If you click "I like it" on the search bar, the site will be catalogued into your favourites, and your friends can try them out at their leisure without you having to bombard them with links. What could be better than that?!
+ Online Communities
Online communities are an excellent way to connect with people who share your enthusiasm for... well, absolutely everything! The communities I have found, love & favour are primarily on Flickr and LiveJournal. I can't get enough of make-up communities, in my bag photo pools, journal & organizer communities, & so on. There is a deep community sensibility, where you get to know names, faces and styles all at one. Many involve the use of similar items (a bag and its contents, notebook, a bedroom) & through individual elements of style, create polar outcomes. It's fascinating. The only downside, perhaps, is its segue into at least two of the deadliest sins...
+ The motherload: Online Window Shopping
With e-voyeurism comes e-envy, and often e-coveting. Fads spread like wildfire online (especially, I find, from "in my bag" communities), and it's difficult to resist the temptation to whip out the plastic and make impulsive purchases. To curb your cravings, try an age-old tactic with a new-age twist: window shopping.
The French term for window shopping is "lèche-vitrine", literally translates to "window licking". Enough said! Peruse to your heart's content, make a wishlist, covet freely (think of it as vicarious ownership!), on one condition: no credit cards to hand! My favourite places to e-window shop:
-- Etsy.com: An online craft store with home-made content, my go-to for cute purses & storage pouches for all of my gadgets.
-- Play.com: if you live in the UK or Europe, you can't beat it! When in the US, I prefer Amazon.com. Their marketplaces are also a goldmine for finding cheap books & DVDs.
-- FredFlare.com: The cutest gadgets & trinkets in all the land.
-- MojoLondon: My favourite place to buy Moleskines and covet their expensive yet adorable trinkets.
What are your favourite e-voyeurism tactics?
Until next time... Enjoy, explore, e-voyeur to your heart's content!
Nicola x
Thus commences the user's guide to e-voyeurism.
+ Blogs, RSS and YouTube Subscriptions
RSS feeds and YouTube subscriptions are my anti-drugs. Bookmarks can be cumbersome and it is easy to lose interest in fumbling through lists of "favourite" websites. In this sense, RSS feeds, such as Google Reader (or, if you're unsure which suits you, read this), are fantastic as they keep everything together & accessible, track your updates, & save entries as read and unread.
By perusing updates in this manner you will quickly find yourself being linked to myriad new websites and blogs. You can easily discover new interests through recommendations, particularly through weekly updates such as Flickr Faves, Link Loves & Things I Love Thursdays by various bloggers.
Try out Google Reader's "Shared Items" feature to find out exactly what I'm talking about!
+ StumbleUpon
StumbleUpon is simply mind-boggling. It is by far the best way to navigate yourself around the internet, as you can quite literally "stumble upon" absolutely anything. It's totally addictive and takes your interests & favourite finds into account in order to direct you towards websites that you will undoubtedly love and perhaps never would have found otherwise. Not only that, there is a certain friend-of-a-friend element about it: what you stumble upon may not be your cup of tea, but an external link from that website may turn out to be the best thing you've ever witnessed online.
Ever had to pester your friends to watch that online video that you found hilarious? Much like blog websites and Flickr, the friend system allows you to connect with peers and share your finds with them. If you click "I like it" on the search bar, the site will be catalogued into your favourites, and your friends can try them out at their leisure without you having to bombard them with links. What could be better than that?!
+ Online Communities
Online communities are an excellent way to connect with people who share your enthusiasm for... well, absolutely everything! The communities I have found, love & favour are primarily on Flickr and LiveJournal. I can't get enough of make-up communities, in my bag photo pools, journal & organizer communities, & so on. There is a deep community sensibility, where you get to know names, faces and styles all at one. Many involve the use of similar items (a bag and its contents, notebook, a bedroom) & through individual elements of style, create polar outcomes. It's fascinating. The only downside, perhaps, is its segue into at least two of the deadliest sins...
+ The motherload: Online Window Shopping
With e-voyeurism comes e-envy, and often e-coveting. Fads spread like wildfire online (especially, I find, from "in my bag" communities), and it's difficult to resist the temptation to whip out the plastic and make impulsive purchases. To curb your cravings, try an age-old tactic with a new-age twist: window shopping.
The French term for window shopping is "lèche-vitrine", literally translates to "window licking". Enough said! Peruse to your heart's content, make a wishlist, covet freely (think of it as vicarious ownership!), on one condition: no credit cards to hand! My favourite places to e-window shop:
-- Etsy.com: An online craft store with home-made content, my go-to for cute purses & storage pouches for all of my gadgets.
-- Play.com: if you live in the UK or Europe, you can't beat it! When in the US, I prefer Amazon.com. Their marketplaces are also a goldmine for finding cheap books & DVDs.
-- FredFlare.com: The cutest gadgets & trinkets in all the land.
-- MojoLondon: My favourite place to buy Moleskines and covet their expensive yet adorable trinkets.
What are your favourite e-voyeurism tactics?
Until next time... Enjoy, explore, e-voyeur to your heart's content!
Nicola x
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sunday YouTube Videos of the Week
I Can't Stand The Rain - Scottish Falsetto Socks in Edinburgh: Reminiscent of the Chewin' The Fat teuchter sock puppets, this tickled me. We've been suffering a ridiculous amount of rain for August, and this perfectly encapsulates the feeling for us Scots. (Although I must note, it is sunny today, but it's not going to last!)
ETA: Not 2 minutes after submitting this post, it started to rain again. Fandabbydosy!
Paladins and Kalgan, Wrath of the Lich King: You're probably thinking, "Wait, what?", but allow me to explain. The title of the video refers to the subtitles, which are based on World of Warcraft in-jokes. If you're not a fan of WoW, however, worry not, I implore you still watch, as you should still find it hilarious.
Seeso - The Song We Never Wrote: Narcisco Lobo, also known as his YouTube alias, Seeso, is one of my favourite YouTube musicians. This is by far his most sweet and enthralling original song. I, for one, can't get enough of it.
Randy Pausch: The Last Lecture: If you don't have a spare hour to watch this... make one! Randy Pausch was an academic at Carnegie Mellon and The University of Virginia, and it the absolutely exceptional story from an absolutely exceptional man. Pausch died aged 47, on July 25th, after battling with pancreatic cancer for almost a year. The lecture was recorded on September 18th 2007, at which point doctors had given him 2-5 months of good health left. "Inspirational" doesn't even begin to cover it.
Until next time... Enjoy!
ETA: Not 2 minutes after submitting this post, it started to rain again. Fandabbydosy!
Paladins and Kalgan, Wrath of the Lich King: You're probably thinking, "Wait, what?", but allow me to explain. The title of the video refers to the subtitles, which are based on World of Warcraft in-jokes. If you're not a fan of WoW, however, worry not, I implore you still watch, as you should still find it hilarious.
Seeso - The Song We Never Wrote: Narcisco Lobo, also known as his YouTube alias, Seeso, is one of my favourite YouTube musicians. This is by far his most sweet and enthralling original song. I, for one, can't get enough of it.
Randy Pausch: The Last Lecture: If you don't have a spare hour to watch this... make one! Randy Pausch was an academic at Carnegie Mellon and The University of Virginia, and it the absolutely exceptional story from an absolutely exceptional man. Pausch died aged 47, on July 25th, after battling with pancreatic cancer for almost a year. The lecture was recorded on September 18th 2007, at which point doctors had given him 2-5 months of good health left. "Inspirational" doesn't even begin to cover it.
Until next time... Enjoy!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday YouTube Videos of the Week
I love Things I Love Thursdays, and Link Fridays and Flickr Favourite days, but am yet to see YouTube favourites listed weekly on a blog. If you, like myself, are a self-professed YouTube addict, I urge you to read on...
Where The Hell Is Matt? recently returned with his third video. For those unfamiliar, Matt Harding was a computer games designer; until he took a break to travel and became an internet sensation. His first Where The Hell Is Matt? video has in excess of 1 million views on YouTube and features him dancing in front of a number of world landmarks. This is his third adventure in which he dances accompanied by anyone who dared join him. Check it out, and catch up with his previous videos and outtakes on his YT profile or his website.
Questions, Questions: a song by Thomas Wilson, stand-up comic and the man who played Biff. A must-watch for all die-hard Back To The Future fans.
Try Not Giving a F#?k! by Jon la Joie, a hilarious French Canadian who is quickly becoming one of my favourite YouTube sketch comedians. While you're there, check out his rap classic, Everyday Normal Guy. [Please be aware: explicit language features heavily in both.]
Favourite Channel Mention:
PESfilm: I only discovered this guy yesterday, and am already in love. His latest animation, Western Spaghetti was recently featured on the global front page. Not only are his animations astounding, he also directed Human Skateboarding, a hilarious stop-motion advertisement. Amazing!
What are your favourite YouTube videos this week?
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