So you want to be an adult, well…

by Vee  | Category: Randomness
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Heya peoples! So, this was something I came across a little while back and it really is super amazing – real words of wisdom.

I remember when I was a kid and then later when I was a teen that I was always wondering about how things would be when I ‘grew up’. Would I magically know everything that adults supposedly knew? Would my brain suddenly switch gears and be all “Ohhhhh, now I get it”? Well, let’s just say that none of that happened. Something did, but I think it was more of just a gradual process than any magical day or age that did it…

Anywho, if you’ve got the time, I highly recommend you watch this – positively astounding and definitely one of the best graduation speeches ever given. This is water.

New Trailer for The Wolverine!

by Ali Cat  | Category: Movie Madness, Pop Culture, Super Fan
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Hot off the press, a brand new trailer for July’s The Wolverine.

 

A little more detail, a lot more action.  Highlights for me include our first look at the Silver Samurai, a return of sorts of Famke Jansen as Jean Grey and more action with the adamantium claws.  What do you guys think, how’s the excitement level?  What will become of our favorite crazy-haired superhero? 

All will be revealed this July.

Down-to-Read with Daniela: The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

by Daniela  | Category: Reading Lounge
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Full Title:
The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend: a novel

Genre:
American Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Chick-Lit, Romance, Coming-of-Age

Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is a loyal, cynical girl who acquires the nickname “Duffy” after talking to the school sleazebag Wesley Rush. When Bianca finds out what it means to be the DUFF, part of her is offended while part of her agrees with Wesley.

Despite her hatred of him, Bianca finds herself having sex with Wesley as a way to escape the troubles in her life. Sleeping with Wesley proves a useful distraction when her mother files for divorce and her father relapses into an alcohol addiction.

My Thoughts:
Urban dictionary defines a D.U.F.F. as the girl who makes her friends look good by comparison - and as the annoying girl who  ****blocks her much hotter friends (refer to urbandictionary.com for an uncensored definition). Whether Bianca fits the D.U.F.F. mold or not is at the crux of this novel. As usual, things aren’t always as cut and dry as they seem.

Although I found elements of this novel a bit far fetched, I commend nineteen-year-old Kody Keplinger on her debut effort. Bianca is a pretty chill character who is trying to figure out life like most kids her age.

But I won’t hide my disappointment with Bianca’s character - I was a little deflated to see Bianca turn into a pseudo sex addict rather than finding a more constructive outlet for her frustration. I know, I know, I sound like an old person shaking my head in disapproval of ‘kids these days.’ But Bianca is still a very young character engaging in risky behaviour. She’s also pretty self absorbed, barely paying any attention to her best friends and her depressed father as she becomes more and more entrenched with Wesley. Not to mention the predictable - I would also argue highly unlikely – ending to this novel.

So in conclusion, I was definitely immersed in this novel while reading it – but in retrospect I wonder what kind of message it puts out there about sex and relationships.

Somehow I doubt many teens would share my cynicism about this novel. In fact, maybe in Bianca they will find a character that mirrors their own struggles and insecurities.

Read it for yourself and let me know your thoughts! Borrow The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend: a novel from your local Vaughan Library today!

Tattoos: Something to Think About

by Sarah  | Category: Pop Culture, Randomness
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 We’ll always have Paris. *le sigh* Tattoos. I love them. It’s permanent art on a portable mobile canvas that ages with the person it belongs to. Right now they are everywhere in the gossip rags and social media. Hollywood stars have them, professional athletes are showing them off, heck even your favourite Twitter Tweeter or Blogger or Internet sensation may even be sporting one or three. Type “Tattoo” into the Google train and you’ll spend hours simply surfing through pages upon pages of pictures. Some of them make you stop and wonder as to what on earth could have made that person decide on that specific design and others will blow your mind to bits. So many colours and designs, so many personalities put on display, it is hard not to get hooked.

However tattoos are a permanent commitment. Once it’s on, it stays on. Which is why getting a tattoo is a serious decision that requires time and thought to be put into it. They are not for everyone but then again, nothing ever is really. Always consider what type of design and where on the body it would go before you even think about setting foot into a tattoo parlor. Remember folks, everybody ages. So putting a tattoo on a place that may look good now may not necessarily be the best bet because in ten years or so it won’t look the same as it did when it was first inked. Something to take note of is that the legal age to get a tattoo in Ontario is 18, along with a valid driver’s license for photo I.D. Anyone under 18 needs to have parental consent as well as a parent to come with you to fill out forms.

I can only speak for myself when it comes to making big decisions concerning me and let me be frank by saying that something permanent like a tattoo is a Big Decision. One that will literally stay with you as a vivid daily reminder for the rest of your life. I waited until I was 26 before I got my first one. I knew I always wanted a tattoo ever since I was old enough to realize the implication of what getting one would mean but I forced myself to wait what seemed like a very long time. Why? Well, I wanted to be sure the design I wanted was something I could stand looking at from here on in and it took a while to find an artist I liked. And there was this little phobia of needles that I still had to come to terms with. I can’t get my ear pierced without bursting out into tears so sitting in a chair getting worked over by ink-filled needles was up on my “scream as loud as I can” threshold. Getting a tattoo takes the same amount of effort in prep-work as it does getting a family pet. Research, research, research.

Some things to consider for someone curious about getting inked.

a) Is the artist credited? Always ask to see their work beforehand. Set up a date/time to meet them face-to-face and discuss your ideas. Your notion of the design may look good in your head but skin is a lot different than paper so it may not come out exactly as you want it to.

b) Is the tattoo parlor up-to-date on all of the Government regulation health codes of conduct? This may seem a tad overboard but do not be afraid to ask to see the documents that show they have passed the health and safety tests. They cannot deny you that and if they do, don’t bother wasting any more of your time there because it is likely they are hiding something. Better to err on the side of caution than to end up with unwanted complications.

c) Is that design something you really do want and can stand to live with forever? Yes, I mean FOREVER! Scary notion but it is the truth. Getting a tattoo removed is very expensive and more painful than getting the tattoo in the first place. If you’re not sure, don’t get it. Wait and sleep on it for weeks/months/even longer. There are a lot of things to consider and it is better to consider them all than going in blind and coming out with something you’ll regret getting in a few years.

d) Never get the name of someone you are in a relationship with put on your body. Learn from Angelina Jolie’s mistake. Don’t do it. Every tattoo artist will say the same thing. No. Just don’t.

e) Think of the place on your body you want inked and the FUTURE. The here and now is great and all but since tattoos are not like hairstyles and fashion trends that constantly change with the season, think about what sort of impact the piece will have. Do you want to work in the professional field? Your job is very important as is your overall appearance. Tattoo arm sleeves are beautiful to look at but think about what that means when you work in a place that do not allow body art to be displayed? You’re going to end up wearing long-sleeves and sweaters day in and day out…no matter how hot it gets in the office.

f) Don’t be swayed by trends. Bull ring nose piercings may suddenly one day be all the rage from here to Timbuktu and everyone may be getting one because it is the latest cool thing to do. It is easy to get blindsided by these things but stick to those metaphorical guns.

I may come off sounding like someone’s mom but trust me on this. I’ve been there. I’ve done it. And I’m going to do it again this summer. Even at my age I still have to answer to the Powers That Be (aka the Parental Units) and they have their own opinions on the matter. All things considering it can be nerve-wracking at times but if this is something you really want the end result is worth it.

If you are a fan of tattoos, thinking of getting one, or just like looking at the pictures here are a few titles you might enjoy. The complete idiot’s guide to getting a tattoo , Ed Hardy: Tattoo The World, Tattoo: Pigments of Imagination , The tattoo encyclopedia : a guide to choosing your tattoo . You can pick them up at your local Vaughan Public Library.

Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD coming to a small screen near you!

by Ali Cat  | Category: Pop Culture, Super Fan
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Well, it’s official.  TV networks are announcing who’s staying, who’s going and who’s debuting this fall, and ABC has confirmed they will pick up Joss Whedon’s ambitious new project Marvel Agents of SHIELD (that title went through a number of changes, apparently).

I’m super excited!  For a few reasons.  One, it’s Marvel.  Two, it’s Joss Whedon (Buffy!).  Three, it’s a continuation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that The Avengers and the preceding movies that led up to it in Phase One has established, so it all fits in with the continuity.  And four, Agent Coulson is back!  Yay!  How he’s back, I’m not sure (if you watched The Avengers you’re wondering too), but he’s back and that’s awesome.  He’s become one of my favorite characters, as he just comes across as an everyman, and a bit of a geek, who is also a super cool, super tough spy!

Here’s our first look.

Short but sweet.  What do you guys think?  Will you give it a shot?  Does the idea of watching SHIELD agents appeal to you, or do you prefer watching the super heroes in action?  Stay tuned for more details and for other show announcements as they develop.

And don’t touch Lola!

UPDATE MAY 15

New extended trailer, just for you guys.  Brace yourselves!

Aaaaaaand…HE’S ALIVE!

Humor.  Action.  Intrigue.  When will it be fall?   WHEN?