All the way from 9th century China...

Yesterday, having drunk too much, I was intoxicated as to pass all bounds;

but none of the rude and coarse language I used was uttered in a conscious state.

The next morning, after hearing others speak on the subject, I realised what had happened,

whereupon I was overwhelmed with confusion and ready to sink into the earth with shame.

"As far back as the 9th Century China, the 'Dunhuang Bureau of Etiquette' insisted that local officials use a letter template when sending apologies to offended dinner hosts. The guilty party would copy the template text, enter the dinner host's name, sign the letter and then deliver with head bowed. The letter was discovered, alongside thousands of other documents, in a sealed cave library in western China."

I found this on this crazy awesome website called "Letters of Note" It has on display a ton of private letters, now made available to the public from the likes of Hunter S. Thompson, Kurt Vonnegut Jr, and Nikola Tesla to name a few. They range from wills to irate faxes and provide endless entertainment for someone stuck at work for 10 hours (namely me). Check it out. See the internet proves again to be endlessly entertaining. 

And now we know that even way back in dynastic China they got so drunk they forgot who they were.

Back to looking up pictures of polar bears and the arctic... yes that's my job. -N

The world is good again...

Thank you Jon Stewart, I've nearly now forgotten about Ann Coulter's existence.

Pearson: My Main Man

You guys, it has been nearly a month since this blog has been touched. The poor soul. It's almost crying out for attention. Fear not. Essay season has returned and so have I.

When it comes to writing essays, I tend to get overwhelmed by the ton of information that you have to sort through. I just end up getting lost in the bowels of Wikipedia for ages. In this case, I'm writing an essay on Pearson and NATO. I've always had a soft spot for Pearson, being all diplomatic and winning the Nobel Peace Prize and stuff. Basically, this essay gives me an excuse to nerd out (as per usual). Pearson = awesome diplomat and secretary of state, not so awesome Prime Minister but I'll deal. I've been reading his Nobel Prize acceptance speech and getting so jacked. Here's one of my favourite quotes from him, enjoy!

Of all our dreams today there is none more important - or so hard to realize - than that of peace in the world. May we never lose our faith in it or our resolve to do everything that can be done to convert it one day into reality.

Also: you can totally go see Pearson's Peace Prize. It's in the Department of Foreign Affairs building entrance way. It's all gold and shiny and impressive. AND apparently him and his wife were swingers in the 1960's. Had a bunch of affairs and were totally cool about it. Who would've guessed?

We can't forget how Trudeau felt about Pearson though:

I'm always so torn because Pearson was such a swell guy, but Trudeau was so bad ass, didn't give Quebec the time of day and well... he was TRUDEAU.

- N

AWOL

Well, since I've had relatively little work to do in January, and finally had the scrapings of a social life, I have been rather missing from the blog. Apologies. Now that work has begun again (or should have last week - Sorry Mom), I'm sure my posts will become more frequent again.

Currently on the roster is tons of Stats, my Philosophy essay on the Propaganda of H1N1 (ya ya I know... bad ass), and a History of Political Thought essay. My PoliSci essay is contrasting Machiavelli and Hobbes' take on religion as linked to politics. I decided to Google Hobbes + Religion because after reading the chapter 'Of Religion' in Leviathan, one is needless to say left with more confusion than before. And instead of being miraculously informed on what exactly the hell Hobbes was trying to say, I fell more in love with the internet.

THIS is what came up when I google searched "Hobbes Religion":

Back in Middle School (okay fine all of High School) when I was a babysitter, one of my neighbours had almost every single Calvin and Hobbes comic book. They didn't have cable so once the girls would be in bed, I'd read the comics. I forgot how AWESOME these strips are. They are applicable to every part of life... from hating on school (see above)

to nerding out about science...

to explaining the complexities of supply and demand ...

Yes, the political nerd in me LOVED this last one. Whatever.

Alright. Now back to the "real" Hobbes, Lord give me strength...

(I just want to wipe that smug grin off Hobbes' face...)

-N

Horoscopes are grand aren't they?

So on a Sunday night what is there to do? Catch up on my studies? Watch more How I Met Your Mother? NO! Sunday night is the best night to catch up on your horoscope! I googled mine for January and THIS is what my month is to entail:

Your ruler,the Sun conjunct Uranus this moon darkening. Expects the unexpected and see self via new eyes now. Just on for your temper affakkelen do at the flaw at optimism you off. Do not give the doubts of other belief on this moment. At the sun darkening,your ruler is square to Pluto. Enjoys your unlimited possibilities and are very gratefully for each occasion that geplaveid is your way to success. Life is PIGLET now. A holiday,trips afar take. Take your Light on the way!

NICE! I can't wait for my life to become PIGLET!

-N

Interior Decoration

In an attempt to reverse the horrible karma I experienced this past semester, I decided to re-organize my room. Yesterday evening, because we basically (and I say basically because there are no assignments yet) no work I called up my trusty twin Ariel to help me move around the mess that I called my bedroom. Let me just say that underneath a bed can get surprisingly dusty over the course of four months. 5 Swiffer pads later, my bed, desk, chair and everything else was moved. And turns out I didn't fail my poli sci exam; see, good vibes already! Also, putting my bed against the far wall has given me infinitely more floor space and therefore room for about 6 people to have a comfortable dance party, and 10 if we squish.

In Hilary's semi-last post she mentioned her favourite things, one of them being this interior decorating blog called Desire to Inspire which I myself showed her. It's written by a few people and showcases different interior photographers as well as up-and-coming trends in interior design. Needless to say, after following this blog for a couple months, I have amassed enough pictures to basically describe my ideal house. Not too shabby. Here are some of my favourites and if you still know me roughly (and hopefully) 10-15 years from now, this is what my house will look like:

So I guess I'm really into clutter and chandeliers, who would have thought?

-N

GLEE FLASHMOB OMG

OMG you guys! Shaking and crying. Why can't this happen in my life?!

More funny cartoons

Also, Hilary, nicely done with the magnets! I've bought some that I can contribute too!

-N

Why the world is awesome:

N

A Perfect Description

Just make that through at 19 and it's me!

-N

I'm a typical university stereotype

-N

A few of my favourite things ... - Part 3

I'm fairly certain that these favourite things posts will steadily drift away from the whole studying aspect towards things that are basically just my favourite things. What do people blog about otherwise? So this series will now involve solely things that rock my world. Not rock my world to study to. I know you're all heartbroken because what will keep you going during the month of December, but put a little trust in your favourite lady. She'll pull you through this. (I just realized I used 'blog' as a verb... erg).

ONWARDS: enough of the lame-o Christmas themed posts (though I'm sure my next one will be about Christmas...) and on to something that actually matters. Number 3 on Natalie's list of favourite things:

3. FEMMES FATALES

I suppose I could relate this back to studying, as these women remind me of why I'm paying to put myself through this hell, but I won't. Here are my favourite inspirational ladies (some very old, some very dead but none the less fabulous) along with a couple honourable mentions.

In no particular order:

TINA FEY

Of course she would be here. I basically am Liz Lemon from 30 Rock. Tangent: Did I ever tell you about the time I almost choked while watching an episode because I laughed too hard? And that that episode was about Liz not wanting to be single because if she choked and died in her apartment no one would find her for months? That really happened. Back to Tina, I love this woman. She is funny, smart and awesome and married the first guy she really dated. And bitch does an awesome Sarah Palin impression, but you already know that.

Lauren Bacall

This woman. I might have to say that she might just be my number 1 out of all of these. Because classic movies are second to none and because she's in many of my favourites AND because she and Humphrey Bogart had the most amazing love ever, so here's to you Bacall. In this clip she is NINETEEN. Bitch is MY AGE. How does she manage to be so fucking bad ass, beautiful, mature and win all the men? This is beyond me, but I'll try to learn from the master. Watch and be amazed:

Carla Bruni

Obviously she's on this. I love her music, love her style, love her. She galavanted around Europe/the world as a socialite and model, breaking hearts of rock starts (Mick Jagger, Elvis Costello for example) for years before settling down with the right-wing French President Sarkozy. I read in Vogue that the reason she married Sarkozy is because "he was the only one to ask me." What a lady. What. A. Lady.

Anna Friel

Pushing Daisies was the most adorable show to hit television, but obviously because it was so great it was under appreciated and was eventually cancelled WAAAAY too early. Anna Friel was the star, and ever since watching that show I've only grown to love this woman more. She has the most amazing style (not to mention hair), great acting chops, and is married to Professor Lupin.

Ayn Rand

Ya, ya I know she gave Reagan and Thatcher the biggest hard-ons ever, but bitch can write a book. (Even if they are much too long and sometimes whiney). She was a Russian immigrant who lived through the Russian Revolution, moved to America, and eventually became one of its most influential philosophers and writers. She spearheaded the Objectivism stream of philosophy. I love her because not only is The Fountainhead one of my favourite books, but because she was so influential. (And had a bunch of affairs her husband was cool with). Also, she was totally batshit crazy.

Honourable Mentions

-Michelle Obama -Liza Minelli -Margaret Atwood

Ugh I forgot how awesome Pushing Daisies was, and how sad it made me that it got cut short. I think I'm going to have to do a TV show post and one dedicated to my favourite leading men. (We can't be sexist now can we?)

Until I get around to another one - N

A few of my favourite things ... to study to - Part 2

I know you've all been waiting with baited breath hoping, praying, living for the next installment of "my favourite things to study to". I'm kind of a big deal now, with all this popularity and stuff. This is basically the new, online, student version of "Oprah's Favorite Things" (which by the way isn't airing this year! What on earth will all those housewives spend their credit on now!?)

Off track.

If you are one of my roommates - which 99% of the people reading this are - you'll know that what also makes Natalie feel is...

2. THE WEST WING

This show. This show. THIS SHOW. Where on earth do I begin? I've only recently jumped on the 10 year old bandwagon that is the West Wing. I am arguably the political nerd in our house. Hence the study-age of political science. I love absolutely everything about this show. EVERYTHING. I don't think I can stress that enough so I'm going to say it again. EVERYTHING.

From the constant walking everywhere,

to the layman explanations of the intricate workings of the American political system,

to the sexy, smart, motivated politically oriented men,

to the fact that the President is a Nobel Prize winner of Economics and his wife (who happens to be Stockard Fucking Channing) is equally as amazing, successful and intelligent

to C.J. Cregg.

CJ dominates at her job as Press Secretary:

Everything about this show screams me. Each episode deals with a completely realistic issue that could very well come up at any moment in an actual political administration. During the summer I got a little hesitant as to whether or not I actually had chosen the right career path. Then I watched this show.

How it relates to studying is that, of course, one has to take breaks from the constant bombardment of study etc, so I take these breaks by learning more! Of course I do. I'll grab some great snackies, curl up with my mug of tea and settle in for a glourious 40 minutes of political nerdom.

I'll end today with the clip that solidified my love of this show. This clip says absolutely everything I wish I could say to ignorant people.

President Bartlet kicks some major bible thumping ass:

3:09 is where shit gets real.

Woah I totally fangirled in this post. The West Wing is my Twilight apparently.

Later Days - N

These are a few of my favourite things ... to study to - PART 1

Since it seems that EVERYONE is forced to manage an insane amount of work at the moment, I thought I'd let everyone in on what keeps me (relatively) sane in the midst of essays, exams etc.

1. Classical Music

No, seriously guys. When the monster that is Stressed Natalie raises it's ugly head, this is basically the only thing that will tame it.

A few goodies:

Chopin's Nocturnes in particular are beautiful. I can play a few of them on piano and it almost always helps in chilling me out.

LISTEN:

Rachmaninoff was playing that last one and he, again, rules my world. I recently discovered this little gem:

The best part comes right before the seven minute mark where it gets all awesome and Russian.

Apparently he had really big hands too. And you know what they say about big hands.... great pianist.

He was quite the bad ass, just check it:

Chilling with his beautiful grand piano I would kill 100 single men for.

If you looked up 'gentleman' in the dictionary, this is what you would find.

FUN MANITOBA FACT: Rachmaninoff totally performed in Winnipeg twice. Check it. Additionally, if one was to type in my name into the search bar of that website, one would totally find my prize winning essay. Yeah.

Shit. Now I'm totally late for history class...

Oh and yes Hilary that title was just for you.

Over and out - N

The French always do it for me

As if I was debating if this was my signature scent or not.

Great music to study to: a great female singer from Quebec called coeur de pirate.

Such adorable french music (Ariel, you'll like her).

-Nat